ADVANTAGES

• REASONS: Why Shipowners need to class their vessels?
• Why class with PRS?

REASONS: Why Shipowners need to class their vessels?

"To ascertain that the vessel is appropriate and has the integrity for its intended service.
- Owners will have the assurance that their vessels' design and construction comply with world-recognized and respected standards. Classification Society's surveys made during and/or after construction will ensure that the plans are followed, rigid scrutiny of vessels conditions are conducted and sea trials carried out as a final test of the vessels' ability to perform as intended.

To meet the requirements of the Government.
- The Government (through the MARINA) requires that imported vessels or vessels to be constructed locally should be classed by Government recognized Classification Societies. Likewise, Government lending institutions such as the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the National Maritime Leasing Corporation (NMLC) require that vessels to be acquired by shipowners through their Lease and Financing Programs should be classed by a recognized Classification Society.

To have lower insurance premiums.
- Classification signifies that a vessel complies with the industry-developed standards and to that extent is structurally and mechanically fit and safe for its intended service. This is often mandated and recognized by insurance companies and may result in lower insurance premiums.

It indicates due diligence on the part of the shipowner.
- Classification is one indication that the shipowner has exercised due diligence during construction and/or service life of the vessel - a matter of interest to future purchasers, financial institutions, underwriters, government bodies and others.

It indicates that proper maintenance is performed.
- In order to remain in class, a vessel must undergo periodic surveys to ensure that it is maintained to class' standards. By maintaining class, owners/operators demonstrate that proper maintenance is performed and the vessel continues to be adequate and safe for its intended service.

It will assure that owners' capital investment is protected.
- If an owner specifies that a ship is to be built to class or to be classed as an existing vessel, certain items will be certified by the classing society. These include a review of the plans for conformance with class Rules followed by surveys performed during and/or after construction. This type of involvement results in the knowledge that these items are in compliance with class requirements and with owners' contract specification, and provides a measure of protection of capital investment.

For the satisfaction of the shipowner.
- The ultimate goal of classification is to provide the safety of passenger, the crew, the cargo and the vessel, as well as for the environment in which the ship operates. This provides the shipowner with peace of mind, and the satisfaction that he upholds high standards.

Why class with PRS?

Filipino ingenuity clad with knowledge and experience.
- Our surveyors and technical staff are duly licensed in their respective fields of specialization with wide experience in Shipdesign, Construction, Repair and Marine Survey Works.

Committed to higher standards of vessels' survey, Classification and certification.
- We are totally committed to achieving the highest classification standards with particular emphasis placed upon reliability, proven expertise, competitiveness and international recognition. PRS is founded on the belief that the safety at sea and the protection of the marine environment must never be compromised. As a policy, all our surveyors and technical staff are devoted to their work, honest, unbiased, uncompromising and authoritative of the Society's Classification Rules and Standards.

Fast and efficient field responsiveness.
- PRS management makes it a point to respond immediately to the requirements of shipowners. Thus, the shipowners are advised to just call PRS whenever they and their vessels are ready for survey. No time is lost since we maintain close liaison with shipowners and surveyors and even the airline companies for immediate transportation bookings.

Problem-solving by practical solution.
- It is standard operating procedure for our surveyors to give the shipyard/owner's representative a memorandum of what need to be done immediately after the survey and before the surveyor leaves the vessel. Practical advices on how the recommendations should be dealt with in the most expeditious way to avoid costly delays are also given with the written memorandum.

Expeditious decision-making in the grant of certificates.
- Since PRS's head office is in Manila, decisions on surveyors' reports and recommendations are made promptly thereby avoiding costly delays. Unlike foreign classification societies which refer the approval of plans and decision to grant class certificate to their head offices abroad, PRS decides without referring the matter to outside sources.

Technical advices come along with class entry.
- Our services include technical advices on how to go about in the operation of the vessel. It likens itself to a doctor who advices his patient, after a cure, on how to prevent re-currence of similar ailments or diseases.

The PRS is accredited by the Government and widely recognized by the maritime community through their continued patronage. It is likewise recognized by the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the National Development Corporation through its subsidiary the National Maritime Leasing Corporation (NMLC) as the sole Classification Society in their compliance program for ships and other marine related structures that are to be acquired by shipowners through their lease and financing schemes.