The Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass), a major ship classification body headquartered in Mumbai, has delisted 235 vessels from its registry since 2023, the organization said. The fleet removals are concentrated mainly among oil tankers, with a smaller number of gas carriers also affected. The executive chairman of IRClass, Arun Sharma, said the organization has implemented a comprehensive sanctions policy and is no longer accepting ships that are subject to Western sanctions.
Sharma said the registry previously included ships that were subject to sanctions imposed by Western jurisdictions, but that practice has changed. "From almost 2023 onwards, we are not taking any ships which have any sanctions, whether it is U.S. or European or UK sanctions," he said.
Removal from IRClass registry carries commercial consequences. Sharma noted that being delisted may make it harder for those vessels to obtain insurance and could limit their ability to access ports. These operational and commercial constraints arise because classification status is a key factor considered by insurers and port authorities.
The IRClass decision highlights a divergence in responses to sanctions among international actors. The agency adopted a stricter stance while other jurisdictions have signaled different approaches. In contrast, a recent instruction from Chinese authorities directed firms not to comply with U.S. sanctions related to purchases of Iranian oil by certain refiners.
India remains a large participant in global oil markets; it is the world third-largest importer and consumer of oil. The country's recent decisions include declining an offer to buy liquefied natural gas from Russia that was reported to be subject to U.S. sanctions. Those choices take place against the backdrop of Western sanctions on Russia linked to its invasion of Ukraine and on Iran related to its nuclear program and other activities.
The IRClass policy change and the delisting of 235 vessels since 2023 represent a clear operational shift for a significant classification society. The move may have immediate implications for affected ship operators, insurers, and ports, and underscores how certification policies can interact with geopolitical sanction regimes.