THE EVOLUTION OF CLASSWe feel uncomfortable when we see class societies claiming to create a new “design and then approve the same design wearing another hat.”Bureau VeritasPhilippe Donche-Gayby many Flag States as a basis to determine their level of RO Consolidation within the classi? cation society oversight and monitoring. Within the last decade. PSC regimes world has brought together great strengths, but also centered power and in? uence in fewer or-have increased in number and now include 10 regimes covering ganizations. What are the positives for the mar-almost all of today’s ports where maritime trade is conducted. itime industry?In the US, ABS has had signi