Certification in stowage planning is something crucial; it aims to demonstrate that the stowage planning has implemented a quality management system and is capable of producing stowage planning software with consistent quality, in line with recognized and referenced standards. There are numerous globally recognized standards that can be used as references for stowage planning certification, including:

• IACS UR_L5- Computer Software for Onboard Stability Calculations,
• IACS UR_S1- Requirements for Loading Conditions, Loading Manuals and Loading Instruments,
• IACS No. 48 – Recommendations on Loading Instruments
• IACS No. 110 – Guideline for Scope of Damage Stability Verification on new oil tankers, chemical tankers and gas carriers
• Marpol Annex 1 – Regs 27 and 28

And many more reference standards used in stowage planning software / loading computer software.

Since When is iStow Certified?

iStow has been engaged in certification activities and has been certified since 2007. Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia (BKI), as the national classification society of Indonesia, has been certifying iStow since 2007. As iStow has continued to grow, it has become the first stowage planning software in Indonesia to be certified by classification society that are members of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). To date, iStow has been certified by ClassNK, a Japanese classification society, the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), an Indian classification society, and is currently in the certification process with Lloyd’s Register (LR), a classification society from the United Kingdom. iStow is also undergoing certification with Registro Italiano Navale (RINA), an Italian classification society, and the certification with RINA is currently in the waiting stage for ship delivery.

The certification conducted by iStow with national and international classification societies is a manifestation of the quality assurance that iStow has applied to each of its stowage planning products. These certificates demonstrate that iStow is produced in accordance with the established reference standards within IACS.