Mr. Ramage joined IRI’s London office in March 2002 and was appointed Managing Director in January 2003. He was instrumental in the establishment of offices in Hamburg (2007), Roosendaal (2008), Mumbai (2008), and Dubai (2009) where he continues to have a management role. In 2009 Mr. Ramage accepted the title of Director, Worldwide Business Operations whereby he was responsible for IRI’s global network of offices. A resident of the
United Kingdom, Mr. Ramage was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of IRI in April of 2011 and continues to be responsible for operations of all worldwide offices, including IRI’s headquarters in Washington, DC/Reston. Mr. Ramage has an extensive background at sea having sailed with BP Tankers, Mobil Shipping, and Maersk Line. He spent 14 years in the ship management industry, predominantly in Hong Kong with Denholm Ship Management and Eurasia Ship Management where he rose to Vice President, managing a fleet of 50 vessels. Mr. Ramage holds a Master Mariners Certificate and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Edinburgh as well as a Bachelor of Science Honours in Nautical Studies from Liverpool Polytechnic.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In the maritime industry, classification refers to the process of verifying that ships and offshore structures meet established technical standards for design, construction and operation. Classification societies inspect vessels and confirm that they comply with safety and performance requirements throughout their service life.
Classification societies are independent organisations that develop technical rules for shipbuilding and maritime equipment. They review vessel designs, inspect ships during construction, and conduct regular surveys to ensure vessels remain compliant with safety, structural, and environmental standards.
Ship classification is important because it helps ensure vessel safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. Ships usually require a valid classification certificate to obtain insurance, register under a flag state and operate in international ports and waterways.
Ships are inspected regularly throughout their lifecycle through annual surveys, intermediate inspections and major surveys, typically conducted every five years. These inspections confirm that the vessel’s structure, machinery, and equipment continue to meet classification standards.
You can find the latest news and insights about ship classification, maritime safety standards, and regulatory developments on The Maritime Standard’s Classification category page, which covers updates from classification societies, shipbuilding regulations, and industry compliance trends.