ASTM Committee Discusses Future Marine Technology

ASTM F-25 recently held its seminar "Shipbuilding in the 21st Century." Topics discussed included "Virtual Shipyard: A 21st-Century Imperative;" "Open Top Container Ships: A 21st Century Opportunity;" "Maritime Regulatory Reform: Compliance Options for the 21st Century, A Status Report;" and "ASTM F-25/ISO TC-8 Standards Partnership: A 21st Century Necessity." The concept of the Virtual Shipyard was laid out, and it was discussed how modular construction techniques, with subassemblies from a variety of sources, is a new way of doing business which could lead to the capturing of emerging markets and competing in a global economy. The seminar "Shipbuilding in the 21st Century" is the third in a series of information exchanges sponsored by F-25 Committee on Ships and Marine Technology.

The first was "ISO 9000 in the Shipbuilding Industry," the second was "Protection of the Marine Environment: A Global Priority." A fourth seminar is scheduled for the F-25 Montreal meeting on May 18, 1994, at the Queen Elizabeth II Hotel. The theme is "Export Strategy and the Standards Contribution." For more information on this or future seminars, contact the ASTM at: 1916 Race St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103-1187; tel: (215) 299-5400; fax: (215) 299-2630.