Legal Matters Top Ship Repair And Conversion Agenda

London's Grand Olympia Hall will be the setting for this year's Shiprepair & Conversion 2000 exhibition and conference from November 15-16. Topics of discussion highlighted in a keynote debate at the conference include conflict between regulators, owners and repair yards over ship standards.

An international panel, along with 150 delegates representing all facets of the industry — will look at a common shipyard complaint — the delays of repairs by owners, which has become all too easy by obtaining class extensions. These extensions can be granted with little effort, despite classification society claims of tougher crackdowns on this issue.

The conference's opening session is comprised of the industry debate on market trends, price levels, new opportunities and yard competition. Session two will then turn to coatings regulations. Dr. Frank Runge of the Copper Suppliers Association will correct the misconception that copper is scheduled to be banned from all anti-foulings, including tin-free; Dr. David Arnold of Jotun U.K. will examine the effect of the upcoming ban on TBT anti-foulings. Also included is the case for environmentally friendly high-pressure water blasting to be discussed by Norbert Platz of Blohm + Voss.

Shipyard developments will be discussed via two contrasting case studies: Werner Lucken will elaborate on Lloyd Werft's decision to build a new yard in the Bahamas — while Donald McLean describes the market changes that have influenced Lisnave to centralize their repair activities. Conclusive of the opening day will entail discussions on the benefits of e-business an IT as explained by George Bruce of the University of Newcastle, U.K, who will discuss how integrated business systems can improve repair yard performance.

The conference concludes by examining myriad of aspects of shipyard productivity. The role of civil engineers will be presented by Adrian Byrom of Posford Duvivier, U.K.; shiplift and transfer systems are featured by Geoff Stokoe of Syncrolift, Miami, Fla.

For further information on Shiprepair & Conversion 2000, log on to the event Web site at: www.shiprepairex.com or call +44 (0) 20 7453 5492.