ABS has reacted with outrage to the Spanish Government’s announced intention to seek withdrawal of its recognition as an approved classification society by the European Commission. “This appears to be another tactical ploy to divert attention from Spain’s own negligence in the manner in which it handled the Prestige incident,” said ABS spokesperson and Vice President, Stewart Wade. According to ABS there is absolutely no factual basis for the Spanish petition under the relevant European Council Directive. The Directive clearly specifies the terms for both recognition and the withdrawal of such recognition by the EC. It explicitly states…