The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) said it was dropping the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS) as its member.
RMRS membership “is no longer tenable” IACS said in a statement, citing external legal advice and sanctions against Russia taken by the UK government, where the IACS is based.
“As such, and under the terms of its charter, which requires agreement from 75% or more of its members, [the] IACS Council has... adopted a resolution that the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping’s membership of IACS is withdrawn with immediate effect,” IACS said.
“IACS deeply regrets the circumstances that have resulted in this decision and hopes that hostilities in Ukraine will cease as soon as possible, and that peace will return to the region,” it added.
A maritime law source with business in Russia wasn't immediately certain about what the direct consequences of IACS's move could be for Russian shipping.
More blows
The move comes one day after Lloyd’s Register (LR) withdrew its business services from Russian entities, becoming the first major marine services to company to respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
London-headquartered LR said it would no longer provide professional services to “Russian owned, controlled or managed assets or companies”.
Removal of classification services immediately invalidates annual and special survey class certification of the Russian ships it certifies. It will also invalidate both protection and indemnity and hull and machinery insurance.
The European Union (EU) targeted Russia’s ship register in particular on 9 March, when the 27-nation bloc included the RMRS on a list of Russian entities subject to financing limitations.
