CLASS NEWS 03/2020

Guidance: Survey activity during

the Coronavirus outbreak.

28 February 2020

Applicability: All.

Guidance: Survey activity during the Coronavirus outbreak

The recent outbreak of Covid-19 is presenting operational challenges for all of us in the maritime industry.
Protecting the health of our people and our clients is a priority for LR. We are actively monitoring the situation
closely and are following government and health authority advice.

How the current situation may affect surveys

To contain the spread of the virus, LR has introduced additional protocols designed to assess the risks of
specific jobs before we conduct any work. This may impact vessels scheduled for routine or emergency
drydocking, or repairs in affected areas. Currently:

• All survey requests are being reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

• We are considering alternative options, including rescheduling inspections outside affected
regions.
• We are assessing where surveys can be undertaken remotely.
• We are working with our clients to postpone non-critical work where appropriate.

Lloyd’s Register Class News Guidance: Survey activity during the Coronavirus outbreak. | 03/2020
Lloyd’s Register Group Limited (Reg. no.08126909) is a limited company registered in England and Wales. Registered office: 71 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 4BS, UK. A member of the Lloyd’s Register group.
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LR has “force majeure” provisions applicable when survey work cannot be undertaken. The LR Classification
Executive Committee will consider Force Majeure in the following circumstances:
When surveyors cannot attend a vessel because:
• The ship is quarantined.
• Travel or quarantine restrictions prevent the surveyor attending.

In cases where the owner cannot:

• Mobilise superintendents, essential technicians/service teams and any specialised
equipment; or
• have essential spares delivered.

Force majeure will be considered provided an alternative proposal is submitted, or the date for review is not
greater that one month from the original survey/dockyard booking date.
For all cases of force majeure, substantive evidence must be provided to justify the case.
Considering force majeure for statutory surveys is also subject to flag agreement being received for the
duration of postponement/ delay in survey completion due to force majeure reasons.

How we can help

As always, your first point of contact should be your local Lloyd’s Register office. Each case will be different
and will need careful consideration. Supplying information about your ship, its location and survey plan, as
well as documents showing force majeure, will assist this process. We will endeavour to get back to you as
quickly as possible but will respond to all requests within 48 hours.
These are challenging times for everyone, as the Covid-19 outbreak is constantly evolving. LR is actively
monitoring the global situation and is committed to working with you to support your business needs.
If you need clarification in respect of any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact your local LR Office.

Get in touch Lloyd’s Register Group Limited

Global Technology Centre, Southampton
Please visit www.lr.org/classnews for more Boldrewood Innovation Campus, Burgess Road
information. Southampton, SO16 7QF, UK
Lloyd’s Register Group Limited (Reg. no.08126909) is a limited company registered
in England and Wales. Registered office: 71 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 4BS,
UK. A member of the Lloyd’s Register group.

Lloyd’s Register is a trading name of Lloyd’s Register Group Limited

and its subsidiaries. For further details please see www.lr.org/entities
© Lloyd’s Register Group Limited. 2020.