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St. Kitts and Nevis woos Indian ships

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 26TH 2009 (CUOPM) – More Indian ships could soon be flying the St. Kitts and Nevis flag.

The St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry (SKANReg) has authorised the Indian Register of Shipping (IR Class) to carry out surveys and issue statutory certification for vessels registered on its books.

The agreement, based on IMO’s model for such agreements, was formalised during last week’s India Shipping Summit in Mumbai, jointly organised by Seatrade and Tradewinds.

“IR Class first approached us in 2008 to allow them to be authorised for statutory services by us,’ says International Registrar of Shipping & Seamen for the St. Kitts and Nevis Government, Mr. Nigel Smith.

“After an investigation of their capabilities and following lobbying by some of our Indian-based owners we entered into further discussions with them. Being an associate member of IACS and complying with the IACS Quality System Certification Scheme, we consider their standards will enhance the recent measures we are taking to improve the condition and age profile of ships on our registry,” said Smith.

He said he expects some Indian-based owners who have ships under construction in Indian shipyards, which IR Class are supervising, will now wish to flag these ships which are intended for international trade, with St. Kitts and Nevis.

“With IR Class expanding their overseas network of offices and surveyors and the active work by our Cochin-based Maritime Registrar, ISB India (Pvt) Ltd, we see the prospects for a greater relationship with Indian ship-owners and managers as a result of this agreement,” said Smith.

He said officials of the St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry had a number of enquiries and in-depth discussions with interested owners and managers at the Summit.