The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has joined the growing list of classification societies withdrawing services to Russian-linked entities. It says that the decision “follows the tragic events developing in Ukraine and a thorough evaluation of the evolving regulatory and sanctions environment and its applicability to ABS operations. IACS EXPELS RUSSIAN CLASSIFICATION SOCIETYMeantime, as we predicted Friday, IACS, the International Association of Classification Societies has withdrawn the association membership the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMR). This follows the EU’s listing of RMR as a state-owned enterprise subject to EU sanctions imposed in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As part of that ongoing evaluation, and following the receipt of external legal advice, IACS Council today agreed that the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping’s (RMRS) ongoing membership of IACS is no longer tenable.