The China Classificatin Society (CCS), a Chinese classification society of ships, on Thursday opened its new office in the fourth largest U.S. city of Houston.
"As the United State's top oil industry center, 4th biggest city and 3rd largest port, Houston is well connected with the Gulf of Mexico through the 80-kilometer long navigation channel," Gao Zhaojie, vice president of the CCS, said at the opening ceremony of the CCS Houston office.
Houston "is playing a significant role in the global shipping and economic trade" thanks to the city's solid oil industry and the unique geological location as well as its advantages in offshore engineering and oil industries, said Gao.
As China's offshore engineering industry is developing fast and going into the deep water operation, the CCS can play an important role in providing quality service to its clients through its new office in Houston, Gao said.
Christopher Wiernicki, CEO of the American Bureau of Shipping, welcomed the opening of the CCS Houston Office. Both the ABS and the CCS are members of the International Association of Classification Societies and share the common goal of protecting life and properties as well as preserving the environment, he said.
The ABS and the CCS enjoy a very strong, strategic and cooperative working relationship, said Wiernicki.
The Texas governor's office and the Houston Mayor's office both sent congratulatory letters to the opening of the CSS Houston Office.
The CCS, whose predecessor was the Register of Shipping of China, was established in 1956 to perform classification survey, certification survey and notarial survey of ships. It joined the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) as a full member in 1988.
The CCS has obtained authorization from the governments of 28 countries and regions to carry out statutory survey for ships flying their flags, and has over 70 branches and offices in major ports around the world.
