IACS Council withdraws Russian Register’s Membership

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has withdrawn Russian Maritime Register of Shipping's (RMRS) IACS membership.

On their website, IACS wrote:

Following the recent, tragic developments in Ukraine and resulting actions taken by governments and other entities worldwide including, in particular, sanctions in the UK where IACS is domiciled, IACS Council has been continuously reviewing the developing sanctions landscape to ensure it complies fully with all legal requirements. As part of that ongoing evaluation, and following the receipt of external legal advice, IACS Council today agreed that the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping’s (RMRS) ongoing membership of IACS is no longer tenable. As such, and under the terms of its Charter which requires agreement from 75% or more of its Members, IACS Council has therefore adopted a Resolution that the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping’s membership of IACS is withdrawn with immediate effect.

IACS added it deeply regrets the circumstances that have resulted in this decision and it hopes that hostilities in Ukraine will cease as soon as possible.