Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) - Experts & Thought Leaders

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) takes pride in the delivery of ‘INS Arnala’, the first in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs), to the Indian Navy. The vessel was delivered by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, marking a significant milestone in India's journey towards self-reliance in defence production. Naval underwater operations The primary role of the warship is to undertake naval aquatic roles, covering underwater surveillance ‘INS Arnala’ has been indigenously designed and constructed in compliance with the Naval Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and has demonstrated the successful collaboration between Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings, the private sector, and IRS in building very capable naval platforms. The primary role of the warship is to undertake naval underwater operations, covering underwater surveillance, detection and neutralisation of hostile submarines, in shallow waters, where the environment renders these tasks more difficult, by several orders of magnitude, than in an ‘open ocean’ environment. The vessels are also equipped for mine-laying, and other secondary roles. Defence and maritime developments Cdr K K Dhawan, Head of Defence said: "Indian Register of Shipping is honoured to be associated with this prestigious project and remains committed to supporting India’s defence and maritime developments through robust technical standards, innovation, and collaborative efforts." "IRS is proud to have certified these vessels, which have over 80% indigenous content, which is a testimony to the commitment of IRS towards India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.'"

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is pleased to announce a significant milestone with the successful launch of an inter-island passenger ferry at Mokpo, South Korea. This vessel marks the first project from a Korean owner to be classed with IRS, representing a landmark moment in the class society’s growing international footprint. The vessel is being constructed by Miraero Shipbuilding, Ltd for Dea Bu Marine Transport Ltd., and is intended for inter-island service along the Korean coast. IRS launches inter-island passenger ferry in South Korea The vessel will undergo a series of critical surveys, including the inclining experiment and sea trials Notably, the owner has voluntarily opted for IRS Classification, even though such vessels operating within Korean waters are not statutorily required to be classed. This unique choice underscores the owner’s confidence in IRS and sets a precedent for the application of IRS services in this vessel category and regional trade. In the coming weeks, the vessel will undergo a series of critical surveys, including the inclining experiment and sea trials, which will be conducted in coordination with the Flag Administration. The final delivery is scheduled for the last week of June 2025. Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) expands global presence Mr. Saikat Roychowdhury, Head of Operations, Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), said, "This project is a testament to IRS’ expanding global presence and our growing acceptance among discerning international owners." He adds, "The decision by Dae Bu Marine Transport to opt for IRS Classification is both an endorsement of our technical capabilities and a significant step forward in serving vessels operating in Korean waters."

Indian Register of Shipping hosted a Seminar on ‘Sustainable Ship Recycling: Charting India’s Course to Global Leadership’, at Bhavnagar near Alang. The seminar was held in the backdrop of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC), which is set to enter into force this June. Ship recycling activities The seminar drew active participation from various stakeholders, including the SRIA The seminar drew active participation from various stakeholders, including the Ship Recycling Industries Association (SRIA), Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), and Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), along with representatives from ship recycling yards. The Guests of Honour for the Seminar included Capt Rakesh Mishra, Port Officer, Gujarat Maritime Board, Mr. A J Rathod, Regional Officer of Gujarat Pollution Control Board. They emphasised the importance of fostering collaboration to ensure that ship recycling activities contribute to a greener and safer maritime industry. Upgrading safety and environmental standards Discussions centred around the preparedness of India’s ship recycling sector, opportunities for upgrading safety and environmental standards, and the need for a collaborative approach to reinforce India’s position as a pioneering global ship recycling destination. Senior IRS officials highlighted the evolving regulatory landscape and emphasised the need for the industry to align with global expectations. One of the focus areas of the seminar was the future challenges posed by the recycling of alternative fuel ships powered by batteries, ammonia, methanol, and emerging nuclear technologies.  Challenge and opportunity for Indian recyclers Experts noted that handling such vessels would require upgraded infrastructure, skilled manpower Experts noted that handling such vessels would require upgraded infrastructure, skilled manpower, and robust safety protocols, all of which present both a challenge and an opportunity for Indian recyclers. The role of capacity building and training was underscored, with IRS showcasing the offerings of IRClass Academy in enhancing workforce skills and technical knowledge essential for future-ready recycling practices. Sustainable ship recycling Mr. T K Sahu Joint MD of IRS, said, “The Seminar has reaffirmed that sustainable ship recycling is not just a regulatory requirement but a shared responsibility." "We are encouraged by the collective commitment demonstrated by all participants and look forward to building on the momentum created today.”