The Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) have signed an agreement paving the way for close co-operation within cold climate shipping. The dual class agreement, covering ships under Russian flag in Russian waters, will give the international and Russian shipping community access to extensive cold climate experience and ensure compliance with Russian statutory requirements.
The RS/DNV dual class agreement, which was signed at Norshipping in Oslo, Norway on June 7, represents a major step forward in the relationship between RS and DNV. International technology knowledge and practices as well as worldwide quality and environmental standards, form the basis for the co-operation, which focuses on cold climate shipping and oil and gas related operations under Russian flag in Russian waters.
“We are happy that RS and DNV have found a way to offer the industry the most effective services based on the combined experience and knowledge of both societies”, says Mr. Sergey Koshchy, Senior Vice-General Director of RS.
“Through our co-operation, we are responding to the industry’s request for international experience and expertise in the emerging market for oil and gas production and transportation services in Russian waters,” says Mr. Tor Svensen, COO of DNV Maritime.
The RS/DNV dual class agreement is more comprehensive than that which is the norm for dual class agreements between classification societies. Under the accord, the two societies have established one integrated common class service with shared work execution. The agreement comes into force when requested by the owner.
For ships operating under Russian flag in Russian waters, RS will perform all statutory work and all annual surveys on behalf of both societies. Jointly, DNV/RS will perform intermediate and renewal surveys. All surveys shall meet the requirements of both RS and DNV. Only nominated and specially trained surveyors shall perform work on dual class vessels.
For newbuildings, a full range of DNV and RS class notations shall be available. Both class societies will take the same responsibility for a dual classed ship as they would for a single classed ship. One society shall be appointed as lead society for each newbuilding project, and the sharing of work shall reflect that both class societies take full responsibility for the quality of their own work according to their class notations.
The fully integrated RS/DNV dual class agreement offers services to ships under Russian flag in Russian waters beyond what any single class society can provide, and includes:
- Use of international and Russian safety and environmental standards
- Use of international design and quality standards – in Russia and internationally
- Effective specification of fit-for-purpose ships
- Reduced in-operation off hire and delays
- Compliance with recommendations from international financing and insurance