Goal-based Standards - A New Approach to the International Regulation of Ship Construction

The development of goal-based new ship construction standards is a new subject matter of high importance for IMO which has been included in the Organization's strategic and long-term work plans and also in the work programme of its Maritime Safety Committee. This paper briefly describes the meaning of goal-based regulation in general and looks at its application to ship construction. The on-going work at IMO is presented, results achieved to date are explained and an outlook is given regarding the work still to be carried out.