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Quality drive to spearhead SKANReg growth

The London-based St Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry (SKANReg) is to expand its flag state inspectors network as part of a quality-led growth drive.

Last year 120 FSI’s were signed up to carry out annual inspections and special surveys in an ongoing initiative to ensure regulatory compliance and reduce the risk of adverse PSC reports.         
Launched in 2005, SKANReg recently had its ISO 9001 quality assurance renewed for a further four years to the latest 2008 standard by ABS Quality Evaluations.  Next year it plans to apply for the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme, which submits maritime administrations to external audit on their implementation of safety and environmental conventions.  

“Our objectives over the next five years are to grow in terms of ship numbers and ship size while continuing to lower the fleet age profile,” says registrar Nigel Smith.  “Within the next ten to 15 years, we aim to become one of the world’s top 20 flags by GT and to become a candidate for a seat on the IMO Council.”
The current register of more than 500 ships amounts to total gross tonnage of 2.84MT and includes general cargo vessels, tankers, bulkers, reefers, ro-ro and passenger ships with an average size of 5,500GT.  Ten per cent are less than two years old – including 26 newbuildings flagged in 2009 – while 24% are less than five years old.  
Main clientele areas in order of size are the Persian Gulf, south east Asia, Russia and ex-Soviet states, the Caribbean and the Indian sub-continent.  Customers are supported by a global network of maritime registrars, currently 36-strong, which is also being expanded to enhance local contact free of time zone difficulties. 
SKANReg will continue to offer special expertise in various niche markets.  It is one of the few flags to provide short-term registrations for delivery voyages, including newbuildings, and ships going for demolition and recycling.  In the last four years, more than 150 ships have been registered for their final voyage to a breaking facility.

“Many of our ships are general cargo vessels and bulkers that have a high PSC targeting factor but I take a positive view of this,” Smith concludes.  “It adds focus to our efforts on enhancing quality, which is absolutely paramount to growing in size and status.” 

 

  

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