Classification society Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) and Further Marine Technology (FMT) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on strategic cooperation.
The duo is targeting development of the latest generation of bulk carrier designs to expand the business in the South East Asian market.
As informed, the development will take as outset the 8,000 dwt mini bulk carrier designed by FMT and classed by IRClass in 2018 – 2019 for an Indian steel and infrastructure giant.
By combining the available development capability, the two partners aim to create designs offering higher performance.
The MOU, which was signed at Marintec China, aims to leverage advanced technological capabilities towards the future development of the shipbuilding and shipping industries. FMT and IRClass consider the new collaboration as “a springboard for further pursuit of new business opportunities.”
Speaking at the event, H V Ramesh, Senior Principal Surveyor and Vice President, IRClass, said:
“This MOU paves the way to work towards development of efficient shipping with focus on environmentally sustainable designs.”
“FMT thanks IRClass for the great support to current bulk carrier project being built in China. We believe the signed MOU today will lead us to a … future co-operation of both companies towards development in China and all over the world,” John Chao, CEO of FMT, commented.