Damen Shipyards Changde (China) has laid down new tugboats of ASD 3010 Ice and ASD 2609 Ice projects to the class of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. The keel-laying ceremony was held on November 24 and November 25 respectively.
The ceremonies were attended by head of RS Branch Office in China Peotr Vanyukov as well as by the representatives of the shipyard, Vostochny Port OJSC and Magadan Seaport OJSC.
Class notations of the new vessels are KM✪ Arc4 AUT1 tug and KM✪ Arc4 R1 AUT1 tug respectively. The tugboats are designed for operation in challenging hydrometeorological conditions and severe ice situation. They will be used in the ports of the Far East, Primorsk Territory and Magadan Region. Arc4 category will ensure efficient operation of the boats during autumn and winter navigation periods. RS to supervise the construction of two tugboats of each project.
Inspection of the USSR Register of Shipping functioned in the People's Republic of China from 1947 till 1962 when the functions of the USSR Register in China were transferred to the Chinese Classification Society.
In April, 2003 RS Representation in China was established in Tianjin, which in accordance with the PRC laws in 2009 was transformed into Limited Liability Company "Russian Maritime Register of Shipping in Tianjin" (PRC)".
In May 2014, new RS Branch Office was opened in Shanghai. The decision was taken by RS due to the active development of Russian-Chinese relations.