Indian Register of Shipping - History

History

Indian Register of Shipping was founded in 1975 to act as a catalyst of self-regulation by Indian Shipping Industries and to serve as a forum for research and development.

Here are some important milestones in its history

• 1975 – IRS was established and registered under section of the Companies Act 1956 as not for profit public limited company. In the same year dual class agreements for mutual cooperation were signed with the American Bureau of Shipping, Lloyd's Register of Shipping and Det Norske Veritas, the first register of ships was also published in the same year.
• 1977 - IRS published its first rule book.
• 1979 - IRS was authorised by the Indian government to assign load lines on Indian flag vessels. In the same year it diversified its activities to include inspection for land based industries.
• 1983 – dual class agreement with Bureau Veritas.
• 1984 – dual class agreement with Germanischer Lloyd.
• 1991 – IRS became an associate of the IACS.
• 1997 – IRS was appointed by the Maritime Administration of the Indian government as the sole authority for final assignment of Load Line in Indian flag vessels.
• 1998 – IRS was appointed as the only recognised organisation for conducting audits under the ISM Code for all Indian flag vessels.
• 2000 – The International Underwriting Association under the Institution Classification Clause recognises the IRS. By virtue of this ships classified under the IRS would not attract any extra insurance. This was a first for an Associate Member.
• 2004 - The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) came into effect. IRS was appointed as the sole recognised security organisation to determine compliance under the code for Indian flag ships and port facilities.
• 2010 – IRS becomes a full member of IACS.