Shiprepair Forum Seeks Solution to Class Conflict

Conflict between regulators, owners and repair yards over ship standards will be highlighted in a keynote debate at the Shiprepair & Conversion 2000 exhibition and conference which takes place in the Grand Hall, Olympia, London on November 15-16. An international panel and 150 delegates representing all sections of the industry will examine a constant shipyard complaint - the apparent ease with which owners can delay repairs by obtaining class extensions despite classification society claims of tougher controls.

"All sides can make a case for their point of view but we are seeking some common ground in one of the most sensitive issues facing the maritime world," says Conference Chairman, Alan Thorpe. The conference opens with a state of the industry debate on market trends, price levels, new opportunities and yard competition. Session 2 turns the spotlight on coatings regulations. Dr Frank Runge of the Copper Suppliers Association will correct recent misinformation that copper is to be banned from all anti-foulings, including tin-free; Dr David Arnold of Jotun UK will examine the impact of the forthcoming ban on TBT anti-foulings; and the case for environmentally-friendly high pressure water blasting will be discussed by Norbert Platz of Hamburg's Blohm & Voss.

Shipyard developments will be illustrated by two contrasting case studies. Werner Lucken will explain Lloyd Werft's decision to build a new yard in the Bahamas - the first in the western hemisphere for decades - while Donald McLean describes the market changes which have influenced Portugal's Lisnave to centralise repair and conversion activity in a single yard.

Shiprepair & Conversion 2000 - the ninth anniversary of the industry's premier exhibition and conference - takes place in the Grand Hall at London's Olympia convention venue.