China Classification Society opens Portugal office

The office, based in the Portuguese capital Lisbon, will be CCS’ 129th in the world and will engage directly with the Portuguese maritime administration, the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Security and Maritime Services (DGRM), after it signed a new statutory authorisation agreement with CCS. 

The agreement sees CCS become a ‘Recognised Organisation’ (RO), enabling CCS to approve drawings, carry out surveys and certification for ships flying the Portuguese flag, as well as issue safety and pollution prevention certificates. CCS now holds 60 authorisations from shipping nations or regions to perform statutory surveys.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Zhao Bentang, the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, said that as well as offering the best technical support and survey services, the new branch would work to strengthen communication and co-operation between the two nations in areas such as environmental protection and transportation security.

Jose Maria Costa, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Maritime Affairs, told the opening ceremony that the opening of CCS’ Lisbon office would enhance Portugal’s competitiveness in the maritime world and hoped it and the nation’s maritime community would work together to face the challenges of saving energy and reducing emissions.

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