Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) has tightened its policy to old ships. The final decision of the class assignment is now taken by the specially designated Technical Committee.
“Vessels aged 15 or above are high risk group vessels and are subject to tight regulations, such as the extended scope of surveys, reclassification procedures, port authorities’ inspections,” – RS First COO – executive director  Igor Baranov comments.
In the majority of cases RS rejects class assignment applications for vessels aged above 20 years. A shipowner’s plans to transfer the vessel under the flag of the Russian Federation cannot affect the decision of the Technical Committee.