The journey of PT Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia (Persero) or BKI towards membership in the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) is a strategic agenda that deserves attention in the development of the national maritime industry. The goal of making BKI an IACS member is not merely the company's ambition to gain international recognition, but also part of an effort to enhance the dignity and competitiveness of the Indonesian shipping industry at the global level.
As we enter November 2026, a worthy question is how far along the Road to IACS program has progressed. Is BKI in the final stages of obtaining membership, or does it still need to complete a number of technical and institutional requirements set by IACS?
This question is crucial because the journey to IACS is no simple task. It requires organizational readiness, human resource competence, consistent quality management systems, technical capabilities in ship classification, and recognition of internationally applied classification standards and rules.
International recognition
The IACS is an international organization that represents the world's leading ship classification societies. It plays a key role in developing technical standards for ship safety, construction, maintenance, and maritime environmental protection.
Based on official IACS information, currently there are 12 members covering more than 90 percent of the world's cargo ship tonnage.
Its membership consists of a number of leading classification societies, including the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Bureau Veritas (BV), China Classification Society (CCS), DNV, Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass), Korean Register (KR), Lloyd's Register (LR), Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), and a number of other classification societies.
Thus, if BKI succeeds in becoming a member of IACS, Indonesia will have a stronger position in the international ship classification industry.
The Road to IACS initiative has been on the agenda of the government and the Indonesian Institute of Trade (BKI) for several years. In December 2023, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment expressed government support for BKI's efforts to become the 13th member of IACS.
At that time, the government also explained that there were 11 main criteria that BKI had to fulfill, starting from the ability to issue its own classification rules, conduct ship surveys, international coverage, expert competence, and the ability to contribute to the development of IACS technical standards.
Statement of Compliance
One of the important developments in BKI's journey towards IACS is the success in obtaining a Statement of Compliance (SoC) for its quality management system based on the IACS Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS).
In January 2026, BKI was reported to have obtained SoC certification after completing an audit by SGS China. The audit included an examination of the quality management systems at its head office and branch offices, as well as a Vertical Contract Audit (VCA) to assess overall service delivery.
This development was further reported in April 2026, when BKI obtained SoC recognition after completing a series of quality management system audits.
This achievement deserves appreciation. QSCS is a crucial element in ensuring that classification bodies have consistent, professional, and accountable quality control systems.
However, it's important to understand that successfully obtaining the SoC does not automatically make BKI a member of the IACS. The certification is part of meeting quality requirements, while the membership process still requires evaluation of various other requirements.
Strengthening of Technical Rules
In addition to the quality management system, BKI's major task is to strengthen its own technical capabilities and ship classification rules.
In this effort, the Indonesian Coast Guard (BKI) has engaged various stakeholders through Technical Committee Meetings. In April 2025, for example, the BKI validated seven draft technical regulations covering hull construction, container ships, classification and surveying, machinery installation, electrical installation, manufacturer and service supplier approval, and non-metallic materials.
This step is an important part of building BKI's capacity to independently produce and update classification rules in accordance with international standards.
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This means that BKI is not satisfied with simply having certificates and administrative procedures. BKI must demonstrate that its experts, surveyors, engineers, and research and development team possess competencies comparable to those of international classification societies.
This is where the real challenge lies. International recognition is measured not only by complete documentation, but also by technical capabilities that can be consistently tested and proven.
2026 Technical Committee Meeting
Entering 2026, BKI also continues to demonstrate its seriousness in strengthening technical classification regulations.
One of the important developments was the implementation of the Technical Committee Meeting on April 21, 2026 with the theme Towards Safe, Sustainable, and Future-Ready Shipping.
In this activity, BKI conducted a review and validation of 13 Classification Regulations planned to come into effect from July 2026. This activity involved regulators, academics, and maritime industry practitioners.
Strengthening the classification rules is an important step because BKI is required to be able to issue regulations that are relevant, reliable, and in line with the IACS technical resolutions.
Thus, regulatory updates are not just routine company activities, but part of the preparation to meet international membership requirements.
Collaboration with CCS
Another development worth noting is the strengthening of BKI's relationship with international classification societies.
On October 28, 2026, BKI received a visit from a delegation from the China Classification Society (CCS) led by Vice President Director of CCS, Jiang Yafeng, at BKI's head office, Jakarta.
The visit was part of a series of signings of the Cooperation Agreement between BKI and CCS in China.
The two parties discussed the implementation of cooperation in the fields of classification, surveying, certification, and joint research for decarbonization and biofuel development.
This collaboration certainly has strategic significance. CCS is a member of the IACS, so institutional relationships and the exchange of technical knowledge with this institution can be crucial for enhancing the capacity of the BKI.
However, it should be emphasized that cooperation with an IACS member does not automatically guarantee BKI's acceptance as a new member. Membership decisions must still go through an evaluation and approval mechanism in accordance with IACS regulations.
BKI's position in November 2026?
If you look at the developments that have been published up until early November 2026, there are several achievements that can be indicators of the progress of the Road to IACS program.
Field | Known developments |
Quality system | Obtain IACS QSCS Statement of Compliance by 2026 |
Classification rules | Strengthening and validation of 13 Classification Rules at the April 2026 Technical Committee Meeting |
Technical competence | Development of classification rules and capacity building of technical resources |
International cooperation | Cooperation Agreement with CCS and discussion of its implementation in October 2026 |
Institutional diplomacy | Strengthening relations with international classification societies |
However, one thing needs to be clarified objectively. As of November 6, 2026, as of verifiable public information, there has been no official IACS announcement that BKI has been accepted as the 13th member.
This means that the achievements that have been announced indicate progress in preparation, but cannot yet be equated with success in obtaining membership status.
Based on IACS procedures Volume 2, the membership admission process involves an initial criteria review, evaluation of technical and institutional requirements, QSCS compliance checks, and an evaluation process related to IMO's Goal-Based Standards (GBS) before a final decision by the IACS Council.
IACS
The next challenge
In the author's opinion, BKI's greatest challenge going forward is no longer simply proving that the company has a quality management system that meets international standards. The real challenge is demonstrating that BKI has the technical capacity to match that of international classification societies.
There are some homework that need to be continuously strengthened.
First, consistency in the application of international standards.
BKI must ensure that all its classification rules fully adopt the relevant IACS technical requirements. Implementation must be consistent, from ship design assessments and construction processes to periodic surveys and monitoring of ship conditions during operation.
Second, improving the quality of human resources.
BKI requires experts, including naval architects, marine engineers, surveyors, and researchers with international competence and experience. Mastery of modern ship technology, digitalization, maritime safety, and low-carbon technology are non-negotiable requirements.
Third , expand international reach.
As a national classification society seeking global recognition, BKI must demonstrate adequate operational capacity outside Indonesia. The presence of branch offices and an international network must be accompanied by consistent service quality.
Fourth, strengthening coordination between the government and the shipping industry.
BKI's success in achieving IACS is not solely the responsibility of company management. The government, the Ministry of Transportation, shipbuilding industry players, ship owners, shipping associations, and universities must all be part of the supporting ecosystem.
Government support is needed especially in fulfilling requirements related to flag state administration, GBS submission to IMO, and international maritime diplomacy.
Benefits if BKI Becomes a Member of IACS
BKI's success in becoming a member of IACS will certainly provide strategic value for the Indonesian maritime industry.
First , to increase BKI's credibility in the eyes of ship owners, shipyards, insurance companies, financing institutions, and international industry partners.
Second , strengthening Indonesia's position in the global ship classification industry. Until now, the international classification market has been dominated by institutions with global networks and reputations.
Third , it opens up opportunities to increase national income from classification, survey, certification, and various shipping technical services that have the potential to be enjoyed by foreign institutions.
Fourth , it provides an opportunity for Indonesia to contribute more to the development of international shipping safety and technology standards.
Fifth, strengthening the independence of the national maritime industry so that Indonesia is not only a user of international standards, but also has a classification agency capable of playing a role in developing these standards.
However, IACS membership does not automatically guarantee safety or seaworthiness for all BKI-classified vessels. Safety remains dependent on the implementation of regulations, the quality of inspections, compliance by ship operators, and ongoing supervision.
Convey to the public
One thing that the author believes needs serious attention is the transparency of information regarding the development of the Road to IACS program.
The public, especially shipping and port industry players, need more measurable information regarding the extent to which the 11 IACS membership criteria have been fulfilled.
BKI should report progress periodically, for example through reports on the achievement of each criterion, requirements that have been fulfilled, requirements that are still in process, and the target time for completion of each stage.
Have all technical requirements been declared compliant? How is the GBS submission to the IMO progressing? Has the formal membership application process entered the evaluation stage by the IACS Review Panel? And when is BKI's realistic target for obtaining a membership decision?
These questions are important to answer openly.
Because the public isn't satisfied with just seeing cooperation agreement signings, bilateral meetings, seminars, or technical committee meetings. While all these activities are important, they must lead to one clear goal: BKI's acceptance as an IACS member.
Momentum of Proof
The Road to IACS program is a long journey that requires seriousness, consistency, and support from all stakeholders.
BKI's achievements in obtaining a Statement of Compliance in 2026, strengthening classification rules through the Technical Committee Meeting, and establishing cooperation with the China Classification Society are important assets that deserve appreciation.
However, the journey isn't over yet. By November 2026, BKI must be able to translate its various preparatory achievements into concrete evidence that it possesses the capacity and competence to match those of international classification societies.
Don't let the Road to IACS become just a strategic program that continues to be echoed from year to year without any certainty about when the final target will be achieved.
BKI must have a measurable roadmap, realistic deadlines, and indicators of success that can be openly evaluated.
Ultimately, BKI's success in becoming a member of the IACS is not merely a feat for a state-owned enterprise. More than that, it is a source of national pride and proof that Indonesia is capable of having a ship classification agency that is respected in the international maritime industry.
Indonesia is an archipelagic nation with enormous maritime potential. It is fitting that Indonesia should not only be a market for the global shipping industry but also have the power and influence to determine safety standards, quality, and the future of the global shipping industry.
Opinion Writing by: Saiful Anam, Editor-in-Chief of ISL News
