Class NK News

Tokyo - ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia bunkering vessel (ABV) developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line). This is the Society's first AiP for ABVs. Ammonia is expected to be used as a ship fuel for decarbonization since it does not emit CO2 when combusted. Meanwhile, adequate safety measures are imperative as it has been pointed out that ammonia is toxic to humans and corrosive to materials. Ammonia hazardous areas ClassNK has been involved in proj...

Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) and ClassNK established "Zero-Emission Accelerating Ship Finance (Program)" to support the maritime industry's transition toward decarbonisation. As tightened environmental regulations and the future introduction of carbon pricing are expected in the maritime industry, DBJ and ClassNK have anticipated an increasing need for a system to reasonably evaluate the asset value of environmentally friendly ships and to combine them with investment and financing, and...

Tokyo-based Classification Society, ClassNK announced that it has signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Maersk Training, regarding training for offshore wind farm operators and education for alternative fuel ship crews. Maersk Training Maersk Training is an international industry leader in developing competencies and increasing skills, with over 16 locations worldwide. With over 40 years of experience, Maersk Training specialises in delivering training for the Oil and Gas, Renewables...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for ammonia-fueled ammonia gas carrier (AFAGC) that is currently under research and development by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), Japan Engine Corporation, IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. Ammonia is expected to be used as 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 to humans and corr...

ClassNK has released its Guidelines for Direct Load Analysis and Strength Assessment (Edition 2.0), which clarifies the requirements for more rational structural design reflecting the latest structural strength assessment methods based on R&D outcomes. ClassNK’s Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships and IACS CSR stipulate that hull strength assessment based on finite element analysis should be conducted, and the evaluation applying simplified formulae of th...

Tokyo - ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for design of a large-scale liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2) carrier developed through Research and Development Project from NEDO by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). MOL has launched research and development (R&D) on the adoption of a large-scale liquefied CO2 carrier, in response to a call for proposals by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to complete the conceptual design, under a project en...

NYK Line, Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. (NSY), ClassNK, and IHI Corporation (IHI) signed a joint research and development agreement for the commercialisation of an ammonia floating storage and regasification barge (A-FSRB). Specifically, the parties will work on the R&D of the world's first barge equipped with a floating storage and regasification facility for ammonia. Since ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) when combusted, it is expected to be a next-generation fuel that contributes to...

ClassNK has opened a new exclusive surveyor office in Rome, Italy with operations beginning 1 August 2022. Responding to the recent increase in the number of surveys and audits required in the southern part of Italy and Malta, ClassNK opened its newest office in Rome, located at the center Italian Peninsula, and will provide more efficient service in these areas. ClassNK will continue to improve its worldwide survey offices network in order to meet its clients’ requests and provide timel...

“Carbon Capture on the Ocean” (CC-Ocean) project was conducted in cooperation with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) has received the “Marine Engineering of the Year 2021 (Doko Memorial Award)” from the Japan Institute of Marine Engineering (JIME). The award was received in recognition of the world’s first marine-based CO2 capture...

ClassNK will add the function for SEEMP Part III development to its ClassNK MRV Portal on 2 August 2022. With the start of the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating in 2023, it is required for ships of 5,000GT and above engaged in the international voyage to develop a ship operational carbon intensity plan (SEEMP Part III) with the IMO designating format, which should include CII calculation methodology, required CII values over the next three years, an implementation plan for achieving the r...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia-fuelled tugboat (A-Tug) jointly developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. Ammonia is expected to be used as 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 to humans and corrosive to materials. Ammonia-fuelled ships ClassNK has been involved in projects aiming fo...

ClassNK has released the "Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels (Edtion 2.0)," which sets forth safety requirements for ships fueled by methanol, ethanol, LPG and ammonia. In particular, specific requirements for ammonia-fueled ships have been added to provide guidance for the design of alternative-fueled ships. These guidelines comprehensively describe safety requirements for methanol, ethanol and ammonia-fueled ships. Taking into account the risks posed by the use of alternative fuels...

Tokyo-based Classification Society – ClassNK has released the latest version 2.0.0 of ‘PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence’, a mobile app to assist the improvement of Port State Control (PSC) performance and ship management systems, provided free of charge. ‘PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence’ app Based on the database of PSC reports inputted by ship managers, ship owners and ClassNK, ‘PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence’ mobile app provides various functions, in order to help...

Tokyo - Leading Classification Society, ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the Octamar Combustion Catalyst Series of Innospec Limited, a subsidiary of Innospec Inc. and manufactures and distributes specialty chemicals. In July 2020, in order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK launched Innovation Endorsement as a swift certification service, in cooperation with technological front runners, so as to establish appro...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the conceptual design of an ammonia-ready VLGC developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group. Minimise risks due to alternative fuels Ammonia is expected to be used as ship fuel for decarbonisation since it does not emit CO2 when burned. Meanwhile, taking adequate safety measures is imperative due to its characteristics of being toxic to humans and corrosive against materials, and ClassNK has worked...

NYK Line, IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd., and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) (i.e., ‘the Parties’) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with City of Yokohama for the acceptance of an ammonia-fuelled tugboat (A-Tug) at the port of Yokohama. The conclusion of this MoU is part of the Green Innovation Fund project within Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) for the development of vessels equipped with a domestically produced ammonia-f...

Classification Society ClassNK has certified NAPA Fleet Intelligence and NAPA Performance Monitoring and Optimisation, developed by NAPA, as its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions, after the solutions demonstrated examination support for at saving fuel and optimising voyages for the fleet of Japanese shipowner Nissen Kaiun. Following the certification, the society has upgraded notations for all the Nissen Kaiun vessels in its fleet using the solutions, which has marked the firs...

Tokyo Classification Society ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carriers developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line). Carbon dioxide capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) is attracting global attention as an effective mean for realising a carbon-neutral society. Underground geological formation It is a process that captures CO2 released from thermal pow...

Tokyo - Leading classification society, ClassNK has released its design support system – ‘PrimeShip-HULL 2022’. PrimeShip-HULL 2022 design support system complies with the recent comprehensive revision of ClassNK’s Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships Part C and provides extensive support for ship-building design that combines safety and rationality. PrimeShip-HULL series software for strength evaluations PrimeShip-HULL series is software for strength e...

ClassNK released “Guidelines for Advanced Safety Measures”, “Guidelines for Excellent Living and Working Environment”, and “Guidelines for Installations for Infection Control”. These guidelines outline the requirements for additional class notations for ships adopting measures and equipment related to improving safety as well as the living and working environment onboard. Innovative technologies In 2020, to promote the spread and development of innovati...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a large liquefied hydrogen carrier developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. Hydrogen is expected to be used as a clean energy source to realise a decarbonised society as its burning does not emit CO2. To contribute to the maritime transportation of hydrogen and usage for marine fuel, which is anticipated to expand its use worldwide, ClassNK has worked on the establishment of necessary standards and certification. Approval in Principle...

Classification Society ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of an ammonia-ready LNG-fuelled Panamax bulk carrier developed by the Planning and Design Centre for Greener Ships (GSC). Ammonia is expected to be used as ship fuel for decarbonisation since it does not emit CO2 when burned. Meanwhile, taking adequate safety measures is impartial due to its characteristics of being toxic to humans and corrosive against materials, and ClassNK has worked on the development of...

ClassNK has released ‘ClassNK ZETA (Zero Emission Transition Accelerator),’ a GHG emissions management tool to track accurate CO2 emissions and confirm and simulate CII ratings. While the shift toward a zero-emission society has accelerated around the world, the time has come for the maritime industry to systematically plan, manage, and report the GHG emissions from shipping. ClassNK has provided ‘ClassNK Zero Emission Transition Support Services’ to support customers in...

Ship Data Center Co., Ltd. (ShipDC) has started a connection confirmation service for the shipboard data server and applications software on IoS-OP (Internet of Ships Open Platform). On IoS-OP, ship operations data is transmitted from shipboard data collection and communication devices to the onshore data centre, and it is used in various applications software, such as operation monitoring and performance analysis. Shipboard data server As the efforts for IoS-OP are becoming more active on bo...

NAPA, the maritime software, services, and data analysis provider, will work with ClassNK and Japanese general trading company Marubeni to assess what fuel and carbon emission savings could be achieved through voyage optimisation. Fleet Intelligence platform NAPA will use its Fleet Intelligence platform to retrospectively analyse the impact of EEXI using the actual vessel performance across Marubeni’s fleet and compare it against similar fleets. ClassNK will provide its expertise in...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of a floating offshore hydrogen production plant developed by the Japan Offshore Design & Engineering Platform Technology & Engineering Research Association (J-DeEP).The amount of power generated by offshore wind turbines is likely affected by weather conditions, and surplus electricity may be generated when supply exceeds demand on land. Production plant The floating offshore hydrogen production plant developed by J-...

ClassNK offers its third-party Innovation Endorsement ‘Provider Certification’, which supports innovative initiatives, to companies and organisations. As companies pursue ESG-oriented management and SDGs, ClassNK conducts the third-party certification on the initiatives to transform their own business methods and organisations in order to establish a sustainable and competitive business. There are three categories of certification available to companies according to their innovation...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) to GTT’s technical solution fitted with a Mark III membrane tank. The design developed by GTT is an upgrade of the Mark III system with design pressure up to 2 bar gauge (barg) for LNG fuel applications. The company describes that the 2 barg upgrade is particularly useful for PCTCs and cruise ships, and offers improved pressure holding capabilities and operational flexibility, particularly during bunkering operations. Tank verificatio...

Classification Society ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to Marlink’s CyberGuard Threat Detection, the service for detecting cyber security threats and help shipowners protect against attacks on IT and OT networks. In July 2020, to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, the Society launched Innovation Endorsement as a swift certification service in cooperation with technological front runners to establish appropriate evalua...

ClassNK granted the Approval in Principle (AiP) for the world’s first concept design of the methane oxidation catalyst system jointly developed by Hitachi Zosen Corporation (Hitachi Zosen), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Yanmar Power Technology Co., Ltd. (YPT). Risk assessment and other measures A concept of the methane oxidation catalyst system was designed by Hitachi Zosen and YPT as part of a project which was adopted by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Deve...