October 27, 2003

DNV signs ACP agreement with Coast Guard

DNV has announced that it is now fully authorized to act as an autonomous certification body on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). It has become the the first non-U.S. classification society to sign the Alternate Compliance Program agreement with the USCG.

The agreement gives DNV the authority to act on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard under the Alternate Compliance Program--ACP. ACP is a significant delegation granted to a class society after it has attained authorization for the issuance of a broad range of international convention certificates and demonstrated its professional plan review and survey capabilities to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard.

"The U.S. Coast Guard's requirements as to safety at sea in general and the class societies in particular are very high. On behalf of DNV, I am proud that our company is the first to achieve this authorization," says Tor Svensen, COO DNV Maritime.

DNV is now able to issue all of the following certificates to U.S.-flagged vessels as an autonomous certification body under the USCG Alternate Compliance Program:

  • SOLAS Safety Equipment and SOLAS Safety Construction,
  • MARPOL,
  • International Load Line,
  • International Tonnage
  • ISM.
"This new program will open up for new opportunities for DNV within the U.S., related to both newbuildings and class transfers," says Blaine Collins, DNV's regional manager for North and South America. "I'm sure that our company, as a quality-focused class society, will be able to add the value that U.S. flag owners and U.S. shipyards expect as we continue to take part in a wide array of important tasks to increase safety at sea."
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