Oman signs deals with 3 ship classification societies

Muscat: On Monday, Oman signed three agreements with ship classification societies for small ships that do not abide by international treaties.

The agreements were signed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications with the British (Lloyds Register of Shipping), Italian (Rina) and Emirati (Tasneef) ship classification societies.

Saeed bin Hamdoon bin Saif Al Harthy, undersecretary of Ports and Maritime Affairs, signed the agreements on behalf of the ministry and the chief executive officers and regional directors represented the classification societies.

The authorisation includes conducting a technical survey on ships holding the Omani flag, as well as the issue of international certification regarding maritime safety and the safety of life at sea, ships’ safety certification, maritime pollution caused by ships and hazardous material avoidance certification, collision avoidance certification, load lines certification, tonnage certification and other internationally required certifications.

These pacts will authorise the three classification societies to supervise small ships that are not abiding by the international treaties in order to ensure their navigational validities, as well their compliance with maritime safety requirements in accordance with the provisions of small ships not complying with international treaties regulations in the Gulf Cooperation Council, which the Sultanate has approved under a ministerial decision.

Al Harthy also added that the inking of these pacts with the international classification societies is part of compliance under Omani maritime law, as well the international maritime agreements regarding navigation safety.

He also stated that the Emirati (Tasneef), British (Lloyds register of shipping) and Italian (Rina) ships classifications will be able to examine and inspect, on behalf the ministry, the small ships not complying with international agreements. They will also be able to issue technical certificates for such ships.

The undersecretary noted that work is in progress to sign pacts with other international ships classification societies, thus providing more options for ship owners in this matter.

This authorisation is part of the IMO decision and its amendments, as well articles for a set of IMO agreements, which demands the technical certificates for ships by a recognised classification society, which are approved by the maritime authorities of Oman.