RINA granted US Coast Guard US flag approval

The U.S. Coast Guard has authorized Genoa-based classification society RINA to conduct plan review, approval and initial and subsequent surveys for U.S. flagged cargo and passenger vessels.

The MOA delegating authority and establishing guidelines for co-operation between the USCG and RINA was signed at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C. yesterday, by Rear Admiral Paul F. Zukunft (Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship) USCG and Ugo Salerno, CEO, RINA. Under the agreement, RINA has received delegation for Load Line, SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM, and Tonnage survey and certification services.

“We appreciate the trust the USCG is putting in Rina,” says Salerno, “and we salute the good relations and mutual respect we have developed over twenty years.” The USCG’s Rear Admiral Zukunft was in agreement, stating, “The signing of this agreement is indicative of the trust and value the U.S. Coast Guard places in our partnerships that promote the safe and secure movement of shipping, people, and cargo across the vast maritime domain.”

RINA was the first international classification society to sign a co-operation agreement with the USCG for foreign-flag passenger ships using U.S. ports. 

“Operators of U.S. tonnage will now be able to beneift from the high levels of service on which RINA prides itself,” explains Massimo Volta, General Manager, America, RINA. “We bring the full range of international classification services to the U.S. market,” continues Volta, “we also bring a lot expertise and experience, especially with specialized vessels.”

July 7, 2011