No more ship classification for Russian vessels?
The classification societies Lloyd's Register (LR), DNV and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) have stopped their services in Russia, due to the invasion of Ukraine. ABS said that it took the "the decision to withdraw all class services related to Russian ships, assets and companies."
In addition, the Council of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has announced the expulsion of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS) from said association.
In principle, the certificates issued on behalf of the flag administration would also be invalidated and shippers would be obliged to review the insurance coverage of their ships, since most of these and the financing require that the ship classification services be carried out by a IACS member. (sh)