International certification, verification and ship classification company RINA is celebrating its ties with China on its 150th anniversary. It also took the opportunity to celebrate the ties between Italy and China on the 150th anniversary of Italian Unification.

Formed in Genoa, Italy, in 1861 as a ship classification society, RINA is today a global multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural company with growing business in China and the surrounding region. Today in Shanghai RINA CEO Ugo Salerno and Vincenzo De Luca, Consul General of Italy in Shanghai, hosted Italian business leaders and diplomats, representatives of the Chinese government, regional government, maritime authorities and business leaders from all sectors including the Italian Private Shipowners Association and its President Paolo D’Amico for a discussion and gala dinner.

The cultural and business ties between RINA, Italy and China were illustrated by a series of presentations by leading Chinese shipyards, Italian shipowners and banks from both countries. There was lively and fruitful discussion on ways for the Italian and Chinese shipping industries to strengthen collaboration, and ways for banks from both countries to work together and promote further international investment.

Speaking at a reception to mark the event held at the Grand Hyatt hotel, Shanghai, Ugo Salerno, CEO, RINA, said, “We are very happy to be here in China today, celebrating both our growing relationships with Chinese partners and our 150 years of experience and tradition. We share the goals of our partners here, working to build a sound resilient business, respecting people, community and environment. We provide experience and competency to support industry and society to improve their activities and the quality of life.

“We are active in every area of industry, transportation and environmental protection, and we reach out globally to help companies which are also globalising, as so many of you are here in China. We help by bridging the gap in competency for newcomers to the global market place to boost their competitive capacity on the global market.”

In China RINA is happy to work with some very forward looking companies and authorities including for example Baosteel, shipyards of CSSC and CSIC Groups, Hollysys, Jimei Hua Shipping, New Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, New Time, STX Dalian, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, Tuofu Ocean Shipping and MSC Hong Kong.

RINA today works in a multi-disciplinary way to service a wide range of industries. RINA is now a well-known certification body in China having certified over 300 Chinese companies in accordance with international certification schemes such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, SA 8000, ISO 27001 and several code of conduct standards.

Marine

Maritime classification continues to be the backbone of RINA’s global activities. Last year the classed fleet grew strongly by twenty per cent and at the end of June 2011 the RINA classed fleet was 4,250 ships totalling 32.6m gt. The growth came from newbuildings joining the fleet and from foreign owners, in particular Chinese and Greek choosing to transfer modern ships into RINA class. The current fleet is now well diversified with a strong presence in each sector - bulk, dry cargo, tanker, passenger, warships and service craft - and an increasingly global distribution of owners. The lower average age of the fleet, strengthened support services for owners and a relentless focus on quality paid off as the Paris MOU rated RINA the best performing Recognised Organisation and leading classification society in 2010 based on port state control results.

Tags: RINA