A global presence comprising 200 offices, RINA is a leading force in classification and certification services, supporting clients in energy, marine, certification and infrastructure, and promoting decarbonization and energy transition in the maritime sector.

Ozge Gumuskaynak, Marine Commercial Director at RINA, overseeing operations in the Middle East, Turkey, and the Caspian Area, tells Robban Assafina all about meeting the demands of the evolving maritime industry, while investing in training programs to support ongoing professional development.

We would like to get into the classification and certification services that RINA offers for ships and the offshore industry.
RINA was established in 1861 to provide ship classification services. Today, with more than 160 years of experience, RINA is a multinational player supporting clients in the development and management of global initiatives across a wide range of sectors such as energy, marine, certification, infrastructure & mobility, real estate and industry sectors, through dedicated companies with specific competences. With revenues of 725 million Euros in 2022, about 5,300 employees and 200 offices in 70 countries worldwide, RINA is a member of key international organizations and an important contributor to the development of new legislative standards.

Ship classification has been at the core of RINA business since its inception. The company was a founding member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), formed in 1968 and is today one of the top ranked marine classification societies in the world.
RINA is recognized by all major Flag State Administrations (122).

RINA integrated services for the complete shipping cycle include classification and statutory services, certification of material, product & personnel, marine technical advisory services, marine training.

Can you provide insights into RINA's current and future strategic initiatives or projects in the Middle East?
RINA’s offices were opened in Dubai, UAE in 2002. Dubai’s office deals with marine activities while Abu Dhabi’s deals with oil & gas. Since then, RINA has set up offices in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar.

In the last 48 months, RINA has doubled the number of surveyors in the UAE Office. In 2022, RINA was chosen by an oil major to carry out major refurbishment of an FPSO that is now deployed in West Africa. This operation was carried out in a record time of 14 months only at Drydocks World shipyard in Dubai, which included preparation of all engineering drawings, under RINA Class supervision.

RINA is currently working to support regional clients in meeting IMO targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions. Hydrogen is one of the ideal fuels to mix with LNG and RINA is co-operating in the development of a concept that allows hydrogen production onboard through the steam methane reforming process. The company is in close discussion with several major oil companies and drydocks in the Middle East, to deploy this solution for production of hydrogen onboard ships.

RINA has been awarded a major new build project for supervision during new building of a series of RO-RO and RO-Pax Ferries. Acting as Lead consultant RINA will approve the designs as well.

How is RINA contributing to the promotion of environmental sustainability in the maritime sector?
RINA is working in many areas to support decarbonisation and energy transition in shipping, offering digital tools such as the RINACube MRV-DCS-CII Data Collection and Reporting software, which is a web application installed on board ships that collects the data required for EU MRV and IMO DCS regulations.

The software provides information about the CII rating of ships, with data that can be filtered based on specific dates, voyages or on a yearly basis to enable analysis. The tool can also project CII ratings for future years, enabling proactive actions to be carried out to maintain/improve ratings. A simulator further enables calculation of CII index for upcoming voyages, helping to identify optimum speeds and routes to achieve specific CII targets.

RINA has issued a number of Approval in Principle (AIP) of new designs to support decarbonisation of new builds, including the use of ammonia as a fuel, electric propulsion systems, and a steam/gas reformer for the production of hydrogen.

However, there are also existing fleets of thousands of vessels, many of which still have a long life in front of them. This makes work to find retrofit solutions also very important.

RINA is working closely with operators to help them find ways to increase efficiency and reduce emissions of existing vessels through areas such as improved aerodynamics, bubble systems, wind assistance, and new propellor designs. In a notable development, RINA has approved in principle the first MR Tanker to be run on LNG/hydrogen fuel.

How is RINA leveraging digital technologies in its classification and certification processes?
RINA has significantly modernized its classification and certification processes through strategic integration of digital technologies. The company has implemented sophisticated systems to streamline operations and enhance service delivery.

Through the use of digital platforms and portals, clients can efficiently access, submit, and monitor documentation remotely, fostering transparency and accessibility. Incorporating data analytics and AI algorithms aids RINA in processing vast volumes of data swiftly and accurately, expediting decision-making processes. Blockchain technology ensures the integrity and immutability of certification records, bolstering transparency and security.

Additionally, remote survey technologies enable virtual inspections, reducing physical presence requirements while maintaining assessment quality. RINA might employ IoT devices and sensors for real-time monitoring, ensuring continuous compliance with the regulatory framework in the maritime sector.

Cloud-based systems likely bolster accessibility, collaboration, and scalability while preserving data integrity. These digital innovations signify RINA's commitment to efficiency, accuracy, and adaptability in its classification and certification methodologies.

What can you tell us about RINA training programs/resources for professionals in the maritime industry?
At a time when new technologies are leading the path of the industry transformation, training programs for professionals in our industry are crucial to ensure a skilled and competent workforce that can handle the complexities and challenges of the maritime sector.

The mission of the RINA Global Marine Training Centre is, in fact, to develop and deliver high-quality marine training in response to the emerging needs of our partners in international shipping.

With state-of-the-art global training facilities located in our Piraeus office, Virtual Classrooms and with a Portfolio of 80 courses in the fields of ship technology, ship operation, ship management, yachts, rules & regulations, environmental, safety, security and soft skills, we are working close with the international shipping community to understand its learning needs and respond with specific training material.

Our experts are actively present where the international maritime regime is decided and promptly develop all necessary training material to inform our clients on the latest developments.

We regularly transfer into training the knowledge gained from the long-standing consolidated tradition of RINA in the field of ship classification and have established synergies with academic institutions and high-technology partners for the development of premium training topics.

Moreover, RINA is active in a number of research and innovation projects and findings from these activities are used to enrich our training material.

Robban Assafina, Issue 89, Jan./ Feb. 2024, Maritime Host, pg. 69

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	Issue 89 of Robban Assafina (Jan./ Feb. 2024)