Italian classification society and certification group RINA and the China Classification Society (CCS) have joined forces to deliver quality management system expertise to small and medium-size Chinese shipyards which intend to build ships for international trade. The two class societies have set up a joint venture company, Yizhong Marine Technical Services, based in Shanghai. It will assist between five and ten yards in its first year. The yards, suitable for building ships up to 50,000 dwt, are those which currently build only to internal Chinese standards but which wish to enter the international shipbuilding market. Yizhong will train the management and help them build and run a complete quality management system capable of building ships to international classed standards.