While shipowers seemed to won the dispute wether Port Autories can interchange Classification Society or not Taganrog port authorities among other has announced following: 6) VESSELS WITH AGE OF 30 YEARS OR MORE MUST VERIFY ICE CLASS, ISSUED BY AN AUTHORIZED ORGANIZATION ON THE CLASSIFICATION AND SURVEY OF SHIPS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE No.22 OF THE CODE OF MERCHANT SHIPPING OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION. AT THE MOMENT ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ARE AUTHORIZED BY THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT FOR THE CLASSIFICATION AND SURVEY OF SHIPS ARE FOLLOWING: RUSSIAN MARITIME REGISTER OF SHIPPING, GERMANISHER LLOYD, BUREAU VERITAS. VESSELS WITH AGE OF 30 YEARS OR MORE WITH CLASSIFICATION OF OTHER SOCIETIES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED FOR ICE NAVIGATION. We are not disputing regarding substandart classes like Dromon or Moldovian register, but rejection of worldwide recognized IACS class notations of such societies as RINA, Lloyd, DNV, ABS and others seems a bit strange. Anyhow ice rules will reduce amount of tonnage avalible upto 60% of existing and freight rates shall raise more to year maximums. Hope this will give opportunity to shipowners to maintain their ladies under IACS class for next season.
