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

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.”

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), a pioneering international classification society, marked a significant presence at the Seatrade Maritime Middle East 2025, showcasing its expanding portfolio of services, including advancements in digitalisation, decarbonisation, and maritime sustainability initiatives. As part of its outreach efforts, the IRS hosted a Customer & Stakeholder Event on the sidelines of the exhibition. Insights and valuable recommendations The event was very well attended by senior representatives from regional shipping companies, shipowners, government agencies, port authorities, shipyards, and maritime service providers, highlighting the strong goodwill of IRS in the Middle East maritime community. Prior to the customer event, IRS convened its UAE Advisory Committee Meeting, during which distinguished industry pioneers offered strategic insights and valuable recommendations. IRS’ continued commitment The stakeholder event featured an address by senior IRS leadership, outlining developments The stakeholder event featured an address by senior IRS leadership, outlining recent developments, strategic initiatives, and opportunities for deeper collaboration in the region.  Attendees appreciated the informative session, interactive discussions, and IRS’ continued commitment to serving the needs of the regional maritime ecosystem. Region’s maritime growth story Mr. P. K. Mishra, Managing Director, IRS, said, “The Middle East continues to be a strategically important region for IRS." "The overwhelming response to our stakeholder event reaffirms the trust and confidence that industry pioneers place in IRS. We look forward to deepening our engagements and contributing further to the region’s maritime growth story.”

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), a pioneering international ship classification society and member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), is proud to announce the opening of its new office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This strategic expansion highlights IRS’s commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s rapidly growing maritime and oil & gas sectors. IRS full suite of services With the placement of the Dammam, IRS will offer its full suite of services across all ports in Saudi Arabia With the establishment of the Dammam office, IRS will offer its full suite of services across all major ports in Saudi Arabia. This move will enable closer engagement with local clients, faster service delivery, and dedicated support to ship owners and operators in the region. The new office strengthens IRS’s regional footprint, ensuring timely, competitive, and high-quality services to clients operating in and around the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. IRS’s global growth journey Services offered will include ship classification, statutory surveys and certification, technical inspections, ISM/ISPS/MLC audits in compliance with IMO and flag state requirements. “Our new office in Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone in IRS’s global growth journey. It reflects our long-term commitment to serving the maritime industry in the Kingdom and supporting its transformation into a world-class logistics and shipping hub,” said Mr. P K Mishra Managing Director, IRS.