The Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) is claiming growth in its classed fleet and global footprint despite poor shipping markets.
The Mumbai-based classification society says its fleet increased by 5.3% in terms of numbers and 4.8% in gt last year.
Its fleet stands at 1,754 vessels amounting to 12.7 million gt, with significant growth outside India.
IRClass has also made progress in winning recognition from flag states, most significantly the US Coast Guard and Malta.
It was also selected by the European Union to approve shipowners' CO2 emission monitoring, reporting and verification plans.
IRClass also joins larger classification societies such as DNV GL, ClassNK and Bureau Veritas in issuing electronic class certificates after winning approval from Liberia and the Marshall Islands.
Step forward
Its fleet growth marks another step forward for IRClass since becoming a full member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) in 2010.
IRClass managing director Suresh Sinha says he wants to see the outfit “increasing its global footprint and gain more flag recognitions”.
However, IRClass like all other IACS members, including recently joined Polish Register of Shipping (PRS) and Croatian Register of Shipping (CRS), will have to meet the association’s strengthened quality performance and membership criteria.
According to the Paris Memorandum Of Understandings' latest figures, IRClass, PRS and CRS are the only three IACS members outside the “high performance” category for port state control performance.
However, the three societies are all ranked at the top end of the “medium performance” category.
