Lloyd’s Register and Latsco Complete Proof-of-Concept for Digital Class Assurance

Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Latsco have successfully completed a proof-of-concept for a new standard in digital class assurance, demonstrating how verified operational vessel data can meet survey requirements without compromising safety or technical rigour. 

The trial, conducted on the vessel Hellas Margarita during a voyage to Singapore, used LR’s approved Digital Survey Test Procedure to remotely test and record auxiliary engine alarms, controls, shutdowns, and safety systems through raw data capture.

The digital process was validated by a physical inspection, confirming that data-driven methodologies delivered the same level of assurance, accuracy, and safety as traditional onboard surveys. 

The results suggest that verified operational data could enable more efficient, transparent and scalable compliance processes, reducing the need for physical attendance and supporting smarter fleet management.

Following the success of the project, LR and Latsco plan to extend the methodology across additional vessels and systems to validate its repeatability, with the aim of establishing a pilot scheme for digital class assurance.

“This proof of concept gives confidence that digitalisation is an enabler within the maritime industry without compromising safety or integrity,” said Vice President Greece and Cyprus at Lloyd’s Register, Elina Papageorgiou. “By validating the use of verified operational data for survey assurance, we’re taking an important step towards a smarter, more connected maritime industry”.

“Working closely with Latsco on this project has shown how strong collaboration and shared innovation can accelerate the adoption of digital class solutions,” said Lead Client Relationship Manager at Lloyd’s Register, Konstantinos Chatzitolios. “The success of this trial demonstrates what can be achieved when operational excellence and digital capability come together to redefine the future of ship classification”.

“This initiative proves that trusted operational data can be used to credit survey requirements without compromising safety or technical integrity, while giving our vessels greater flexibility within increasingly tight trading schedules,” said COO of Latsco, Antonis Georgantzis. “This new approach will gradually reshape how we work, starting today”.

“Using telemetry, we verified that survey items can be credited on data-proven judgements with enhanced transparency and trust compared to the traditional approach,” said Technology Manager at Latsco, Iasonas Zacharioudakis. “Raw data becomes a real operational and safety advantage”.

The project is part of Lloyd’s Register’s wider Digital Transformation Research Programme, which is advancing the industry’s understanding of how digital technologies can enhance assurance, safety and operational performance. 

Central to this programme is the Digital Maturity Index (DMI), a framework designed to help shipowners assess and progress their digital capabilities. Remote surveys, such as the one demonstrated in this trial, represent a key application within the DMI, showing how verified operational data can deliver data-driven assurance while supporting more efficient and resilient vessel operations.

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