Class NK News

ClassNK has granted the class notation ‘a-EA (GRS)’ to ‘BRIGHT QUEEN’, the bulk carrier operated by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd., certifying the use of green steel. This is the world’s first case of a notation being affixed for using green steel in a vessel. There’s a growing focus on using green steel, which reduces GHG emissions in the manufacturing process, in ships as part of efforts to cut GHG emissions across the entire supply chain. To support...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to Cybersecurity solutions “Infinity”, ”Angel” and “Spectrum” by Navarino Single Member S.A. Innovation Endorsement To promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certification for equipment and software technolo...

ClassNK has classed the ammonia-fueled tugboat ‘Sakigake’ completed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. as an ammonia-fueled vessel. This is the world's first ammonia-fueled vessel for commercial use (as of August 23, 2024, according to research by NYK). The NYK Group company Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha will employ the vessel in tugboat operations in Tokyo Bay over a three-month demonstration period. Ammonia-fueled engines This vessel was a Green I...

ClassNK has classed the ammonia-fuelled tugboat “Sakigake” completed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. as an ammonia-fuelled vessel. This is the world's first ammonia-fueled vessel for commercial use (as of August 23, 2024, according to research by NYK). The NYK Group company Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha will employ the vessel in tugboat operations in Tokyo Bay over a three-month demonstration period. This vessel was a Green Innovation Fund Project...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the membrane-type LNG carrier installed with the "Wind Challenger," a hard sail wind propulsion system. The ship is jointly developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. This marks the world's first AiP for an LNG carrier equipped with a Wind-Assisted Propulsion System (WAPS). Wind-assisted propulsion systems As a solution for responding to environmental regulations and fuel cost reduction, the implementation of win...

ClassNK has released the latest "ClassNK Technical Journal”, which has been published for contributing to the advancement of technology and society through the outcome of R&D and technical activities. Safe EV transportation The latest issue, “ClassNK Technical Journal No.9 2024 (I)” features entitled “Initiatives for Vehicle Carrier Fires”, which introduces the guidance for the safe transportation of EVs and fire-extinguishing technology for vehicle carrie...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a design concept of the hydrogen-fueled engine compatible 5,000KL oil tanker with an electric propulsion system developed by UYENO TRANSTECH LTD., YANMAR POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. This is the world’s first AiP certification for the design of an oil tanker using liquefied hydrogen as a fuel. The ship was designed as part of the ‘Development of Large-scale Hydrogen-fueled Domestic Tanker and...

ClassNK has partnered with StormGeo for seamless sharing and verification of emission data. The collaboration marks a significant milestone for the two as it establishes the sharing and verification of emission data, to meet the requirements of their shared clients. Shipping companies that use StormGeo’s s-Insight platform will be able to share their validated emissions data to the ClassNK MRV Portal via API, for a seamless verification process. This process enables shipping comp...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a “Wall Climbing Robot” by Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., and MOL Ship Management Co., Ltd. Wall Climbing Robot “Wall Climbing Robot” can move to high places that were previously difficult to access by humans or robots, and can take photographs and inspections of the relevant parts. Moreover, it is capable of measuring the thickness of steel plates by remote o...

ClassNK has granted its ‘SCCS-Full’ class notation to ‘EVER TOP’, a Neopanamax container vessel owned by EVERGREEN. The notation signifies that the vessel is now equipped with an onboard CO2 capture and storage (CCS) systems, marking it as the world's first Neopanamax container vessel to be retrofitted with such systems. The CCS systems, designed and developed by Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute, were installed at Huarun Dadong Dockyard Co., Ltd. (HRDD)....

Tokyo / Vancouver Island ClassNK and Lovoy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate with development and implementation of more user-friendly Safety Management Systems (SMS). Lovoy has highlighted that many SMSs have grown so complex that they lose sight of the end user – the seafarer. If procedures are user-friendly, people will use them more with reduced risk of mistakes. The industry faces many new requirements making user-friendly SMS design even more critical. Int...

Tokyo-based classification society, ClassNK has introduced e-learning courses offered through its training and education service, ‘ClassNK Academy’. The courses are designed to impart foundational and technical knowledge essential for professionals and stakeholders in the shipping and shipbuilding industries. The initiative begins with four key courses. The introductory course delivers a broad overview of the shipping and shipbuilding sectors, suitable for newcomers to the industry....

Ta-Ho Maritime Corporation, one of the bulk shipping companies in Taiwan, strengthens its commitment to digitalising operations by installing NAPA's performance monitoring, voyage optimisation and navigational risk monitoring on eight vessels. With enhanced fleet monitoring and management, NAPA is supporting Ta Ho in minimising fuel consumption and emissions. Under the deal, NAPA, a global provider of maritime software and data services, is delivering its next-generation NAPA Fleet Intelligence...

ClassNK has released "FAQs on the EU-ETS for Shipping (2nd Edition)". Following the enforcement of the amendment to the EU-ETS Directive and the issuance of supporting regulations, including those related to EU-MRV, this revision guides the regulatory compliance timeline and specific procedures necessary for shipping companies. Guidance provision It also includes information on a sample document required for regulatory compliance and updates to ClassNK's support tools. ClassNK will c...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an Ammonia FSRU (Ammonia Floating Storage and Regasification Unit) jointly developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. Ammonia, which does not emit CO2 during combustion, is projected to be widely used as a source of clean energy for decarbonisation, while the development of onshore facilities for storage and regasification is a challenge. FSRU FSRU is a floating facility designed for liquified ga...

ClassNK has verified the measurement reports of GHG emissions and environmental data of Tsuneishi Holdings Corporation and 28 group companies and issued verification statements. To address social issues including climate change, accurate measurement of environmental information such as GHG emissions and resource use resulting from a company's business activities is a significant step in assessing and reducing environmental burden. In addition, disclosure of environmental information is...

ClassNK has released the latest ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’, which has been published for contributing to the advancement of technology and society through the outcome of R&D and technical activities. The latest issue, ‘ClassNK Technical Journal No.8 2023 (II)’ features “Trends and Initiatives toward Reduction of GHG”. ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’ The new issue, ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’ covers an overview of IMO/EU GHG related...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the “Advanced Maneouvering Assistant System”, the core technology for the autonomous navigation system, developed by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., Japan Radio Co., Ltd. and YDK Technologies Co., Ltd. Advanced Maneouvering Assistant The Advanced Maneuvering Assistant System automatically generates some routes for avoiding a collision with other ships on a monitored route when a collision with an...

ClassNK has released "Guidelines for cyber resilience of on-board systems and equipment". The guidelines expound new IACS Unified Requirements (UR). For supporting the consideration of measures to ensure the cybersecurity of ships. IACS has established UR E26 for ships and UR E27 for on-board systems and equipment as minimum requirements for cyber resilience, which is the capability to reduce the occurrence and mitigate the effects of cyber incidents due to cyber-attacks. The URs will be applie...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a Cyclone Type Microplastic Collection Device “HQ-100/HQ100B” developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and MIURA CO., LTD. (MIURA). HQ-100/HQ-100B The companies describe that Cyclone Type Microplastic Collection Device “HQ-100/HQ-100B” efficiently collects microplastics (MPs) without blocking the vessel’s piping, by centrifugally separating MPs in seawater with a cyclone separat...

ClassNK, Consort Bunkers Pte Ltd, Daihatsu Diesel Mfg. Co.,Ltd., Daikai Engineering Pte. Ltd., and SeaTech Solutions International (S) Pte Ltd. have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding concerning a joint study on an ammonia fuelled ammonia bunkering tanker. The MOU was signed by representatives of all five parties with the presence of an official from Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore at the ‘Gastech2023’ held in Singapore. Ammonia-related risks Amid expectation for us...

ClassNK has released 'Guidelines for the Safe Transportation of Electric Vehicles' and 'List of Fire Safety Measures for the Maritime Transportation of Electric Vehicles' to support in enhancing the safety of maritime transportation of electric vehicles. Lithium-ion battery fire The number of EVs transported by vessels has increased in recent years. However, there are concerns regarding fires in their lithium-ion batteries due to difficulties in extinguishing and the risk of re-ignition. Whil...

ClassNK has released amendments to its Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships dated 30 June 2023. ClassNK is constantly revising its Rules and Guidance to reflect the latest results from relevant research and development projects, feedback from damage investigations, requests from industry as well as changes made to relevant international conventions, IACS unified requirements (UR), etc. Amendments More specifically, some of the amendments made this time are as...

ClassNK has released 'Guidelines for Direct Load Analysis and Strength Assessment (Edition 3.0)'. Following the revision of IACS Recommendation No. 34, these guidelines specify the requirements for conducting hull strength assessments based on the latest wave data. Strength assessments ClassNK’s Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships and IACS CSR stipulate that hull strength assessments based on finite element analysis should be conducted as part of the classi...

ClassNK has released ‘Guidelines for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems for Ships (Edition 2.0)’, which specify requirements for ensuring the safety of ships equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems based on the latest insights obtained from the involvement in actual installation projects. As a solution for responding to the EEXI regulations and CII rating, and fuel costs reduction, the implementation of wind-assisted propulsion systems is progressing. When such systems are inst...

ClassNK issues four AiPs for GTT’s latest development projects in alternative fuels ClassNK has issued four Approvals in Principle (AiPs) for GTT’s following latest development projects in alternative fuels, which were handed over during a ceremony in Tokyo on 6 March 2023. Concept of 12,500m3 LNG Dual-fuelled VLCC fitted with Mark III Flex system Concept of LNG Fuel Tanks with NH3 ready notation that includes material compatibility with NH3, risk assessment and Boil-off gas man...

ClassNK granted the Class C Innovation Endorsement Provider Certification to VesselsValue Ltd., which provides daily updated ship values and data based on the latest market insights and intelligence.ClassNK offers its third-party Innovation Endorsement "Provider Certification", which supports innovative initiatives for companies and organizations. As companies pursue ESG-oriented management and SDGs, ClassNK conducts third-party certification on the initiatives to transform their own busines...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia fuelled 200,000 DWT type bulk carrier jointly developed by ITOCHU Corporation, Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., Mitsui E&S Machinery Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (‘K’ LINE), and NS United Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. Ammonia is expected to be used as a ship fuel for decarbonisation since it does not emit CO2 when combusted. Meanwhile, adequate safety measures are imperative as it has been pointed out that ammonia is toxic...

Tokyo - ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a cloud service called J-Marine Cloud developed by Japan Radio Co., Ltd. (JRC). In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement as a swift certification service in cooperation with technological front runners to establish appropriate evaluation criteria. Among the certification categories, ‘Products & Solutions’ covers equip...

Tokyo-based ClassNK has approved the Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) scheme for the main diesel engine on coal carrier - Noshiro Maru owned by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line). From safe operation and operational cost reduction perspectives, Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) has been attracting more attention. ClassNK publishes CBM Guidelines ClassNK has developed rules for the adoption of CBM in class maintenance surveys ClassNK has developed rules for the adoption of CBM in class...