Greece’s coveted shipping market is about to become even more crowded in terms of classification, with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) stepping into the sector.
IRClass has recently certified three new Greek-owned vessels and expects to add more, managing director Suresh Sinha told TradeWinds.
“Greek owners and shipyards want more and more competition and more and more players to offer their services,” Sinha, who visited the country last month, said.
A total of 1,836 vessels are currently with IRClass, up 4.7% year on year. About 200 of the vessels are non-Indian owned, of which 40 are with Greek or other European shipowners.
In Greece, IRClass expects to obtain permission to survey and certify all types of Greek-flag tonnage within three months.
Global footprint
The move would follow other key recognitions in recent years, most significantly from the US Coast Guard and Malta.
The recently signed trio of Greek vessels are ferries that were built at the Theodoropoulos shipyard.
“We are particularly looking forward to have more ferries,” Sinha said. “This is one area where we can definitely make inroads.”
A key part of Sinha's sales pitch is to provide services in a “cost-effective manner without compromising on quality”.
However, IRClass is also working to expand its global footprint with offices set to open in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
The classification society is also nurturing growth in India.
In February, IRClass announced it was opening domestic offices in Paradip and Guwahati. Earlier this month, it said it had won a contract to provide classification for eight shallow-water submarine warfare corvettes to be built for the Indian Navy.
