BASS, a global leading software provider of fleet management systems, servicing the shipping and offshore industries, today announced its BASSnet™ software suite has been certified by five major classification societies. The societies, all of which are members of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) are: Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (LR), Bureau Veritas (BV), Germanisher Lloyd (GL), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK).
In essence, the certifications provide shipping companies with the assurance that BASSnet™ – Fleet Management systems have been through rigorous independent testing and verification by the five different class societies. These class approvals give ship owners and ship managers’ significant flexibility to manage fleets classed by different societies and to benefit from the discounted fees and simplified survey arrangements offered by the applicable class.
According to Mr Haakon Dalan, General Manager, Product Management, ship owners can achieve significant cost savings with class approved software. Some class societies offer 15% discount on the total machinery fee provided such software is used and satisfactory maintenance schedules are complied with. Additional savings can be obtained from the survey arrangement. “For example, no surveyor is required onboard for crediting of machinery components between annual surveys and you only pay for every component once during the Class period – even if the component is credited by the Class several times,” he says.
BASSnetT fleet management systems was first certified by DNV in 2004 while the other class’ certifications took place during 2007. American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), however, does not provide such certification scheme for software although their verification of ship maintenance and surveys follow the IACS standards. “With the Microsoft ISV certification of BASSnet in 2006, this certification by the major class societies is another testimony of the superior functionality and the modern, future proof technology of this software,” adds Mr Dalan.
Developed on the Microsoft.NET technology, an up-to-date and future proof technology platform, BASSnet fleet management systems offer user-friendly interface and flexibility for users to automatically track vital operational data and ensure all aspects of fleet management are in compliance with mandatory regulations. With BASS growing customer community – the system is now used by more than 1,000 ships worldwide.