RINA classes its first Iranian vessels

Italian classification society RINA and the Tehran-based Asian Classification Society (ACS) have classified two 15,000-gt general cargo ships owned by Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).

The two class societies signed a partnership agreement shortly after EU trade sanctions on Iran were lifted in January this year. RINA opened an office in Tehran the same month.

“All classification societies are trying to enter the Iranian market. Our recent partnership with the ACS was a strategic move that has proved successful in expanding our local reach and classification expertise in the area,” Andrea Di Bella, RINA Services’ area manager in the Middle East, said in a release.

The partnership aims to offer testing, inspection, classification and certification services to Iranian businesses within the marine, energy, infrastructure and transport and business assurance industries.