The Indian Register of Shipping is seeking to reassure the sector that it is complying with all international law relating to sanctions against Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The classification society is responding to media reports that it has links to Russian-flagged vessels and shipping entities.
“IRS can report it has been asked to provide safety related classification and survey services to a number of vessels by Dubai based entities,” said a statement issued by IRS. “These vessels are registered by leading flag administrations – Liberia and Cyprus. We can confirm that none of the vessels referred to fly the Russian flag.
“We also understand that each of these vessels is owned by entities which are registered in above mentioned flag states, as is the long standing and customary practice in international shipping. The vessels are operated by various entities in Dubai and in other parts of the world. None of the companies which own the ships are registered in Russia.”
IRS is also keen to combat any allegations that it is ignoring sanctions against Russia, pointing out that these are nation-specific and not global.
“As far as we are aware there are no United Nations mandated sanctions on Russia,” said the statement. “These descriptions in fact refer to sanctions issued by the United States of America and some European countries. We note the vast majority of countries around the world, including India, have not issued sanctions against Russia.”
“We reiterate the safety of merchant vessels is our number one priority, and that IRS intends to abide by international law including the observance of applicable international sanctions,” the statement concluded.
