Private company

Indian Register of Shipping

Indian ship classification society

Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) is an internationally recognised, independent ship classification society, founded in India in 1975. It is a public limited company incorporated under Section 25 of the Indian Companies Act, 1956 (Section 8 of Indian Companies Act 2013). It is a Non-Profit organisation, Public undertaking and a member of the 12 member International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).² Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1975Founded¹

Industryshipbuilding¹
HeadquartersPowai¹
Websitewww.irclass.org

See how the biggest companies compare on our leaderboards

The story

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 25 (erstwhile section 8) 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.

Read the full text

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.

2016 – IRS receives recognition from European Commission EC.

2018 – IRS takes over as Vice Chairman of IACS.

2019 – IRS elected as Chairman of IACS.

2020 - India's first LNG-FSRU ship was certified under IRClass specification.

From Wikipedia’s article on Indian Register of Shipping, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.³

Products and brands

Statutory Services

IRS carries out statutory design appraisal, surveys and certification work on behalf of Flag States, when so authorised by the Governments of such states via the International Maritime Organisation Conventions and Codes. The four major IMO conventions are:

International Convention on Loadline

International Convention for the safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)

International Tonnage Convention

Read the full text

International Convention on Maritime Pollution Prevention (MARPOL)

Specification Services

IRS surveyors who are seconded in to the owners for technical advisory and supervisory services operate independently. IRS specification services have been used extensively by various ship owners including national administrations, port authorities, oil companies etc. Specification services are provided for pre-contract as well as post-contract stages.

Pre-contract services include:

Advice for preparation of inquiry documents for tendering

Appraisal of tender bids from shipbuilders

Power estimation

Fuel consumption, endurance and capacities for consumables

Trim and stability calculations

General layout and space concepts

Cargo capacities and handling arrangements

Selection of propulsion and auxiliary machinery

Advice for painting and corrosion protection scheme.

Post-contract services

Design appraisal is done at the early stages to ensure that proposed arrangement conforms to the agreed specification. The design appraisal could cover model-testing program for power estimation, sea keeping and maneuvering.

Generally the following plans are verified for ensuring compliance with specification:

Hull and superstructure

All machinery systems

Loading conditions

Tank arrangement and capacities

Electrical and control system

Painting specification and corrosion control system

Communication systems and navigational equipment

Safety equipment and life saving appliances

Supervision during all stages of construction

At the shipyard, comprehensive supervision is provided during all stages of constructions including tests and trials. Owners are appraised at monthly or agreed intervals about progress, deviations, from specifications and other pertinent facts of owners interest. Visits are arranged to the sub-contractor's work sites to inspect major items of machinery and equipment to ensure compliance with specifications and agreed standards of workmanship.

Supervision during major modification and repair

This includes a broad range of focus areas like:

Examination of existing plans of a vessel to assess its suitability for modifications

Examination of the existing condition of a vessel

Assisting owners in evaluation of contractors

Supervision of modification work

Damage Surveys

Damage surveys on hull, machinery, equipment and permanent fittings on classed or nonclassed ships are done at the request of ship owners or any other interested parties such as underwriters, and factual reports are issued to the parties.

This service includes survey of damage:

To establish nature, extent and cause of damage

Recommendation of repairs

Supervision and certification of repair done

Final endorsement of repair bills.