Class NK News
ClassNK granted the Approval in Principle (AiP) for a fully autonomous ship framework (development code “APExS-auto”) jointly developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), MTI Co., Ltd. (MTI), and Japan Marine Science Inc. Autonomous concept “APExS-auto” is a framework of the concept for realising a fully autonomous ship by automating a series of processes required for ship operation, including information gathering, analysis, planning, approval, and execution....
Pioneering Classification Society ClassNK has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PowerX, Inc. (PowerX) for a collaboration on the development of the Power Transfer Vessel (Power ARK).PowerX is carrying out a project of the first model of the Power ARK series, which is designed for transferring renewable energy in Japanʼs coastal waters, and this project is in the design and development stage towards a demonstration experiment and full-scale operation in 2025. safety management...
ClassNK has upgraded the data linkage system between its design support software “PrimeShip-HULL” and NAPA’s 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software “NAPA Designer”. As 3D CAD software’s capability improves, the shipbuilding industry has recently been accelerating a transformation of the design process using 3D technology. Application Programming Interface ClassNK has accordingly enhanced the data linkage system between its design support software, PrimeShip...
Globally renowned and Tokyo-leading Classification Society, ClassNK will calculate the CO2 emissions from the ships to be financed under the Sustainability-Linked Loan, provided by ORIX Corporation (ORIX). The ship finance agreement signed between ORIX and a ship owner in Hong Kong is the sustainability-linked loan. ClassNK – ORIX Finance Deal ClassNK will calculate the CO2 emissions of the vessels, to ensure objectivity and fairness of the loan framework A standard value is set for th...
NAPA, the pioneering maritime software, services, and data analysis provider, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), one of the largest shipping companies in the world, and class society ClassNK have jointly developed a navigational risk monitoring system*, which has been adopted in MOL’s fleet of over 700 ships. Building on the combined expertise of all three partners in the fields of ship operations, safe routing, and risk analysis, the solution aims to increase safety across MOL’s flee...
Globally renowned Tokyo –based classification society, ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of an ammonia-fuelled Panamax bulk carrier, developed by Planning and Design Center for Greener Ships (GSC). Ammonia is expected to be used as decarbonised fuel for ships, since it does not emit CO2 when burned. However, taking adequate safety measures are impartial and cannot be ignored, due to this fuel’s characteristics of being toxic to humans and corrosive aga...
Tokyo’s renowned classification society, ClassNK has released ‘PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence’, a mobile app to assist the improvement of ship management system and PSC performance, provided free of charge. The application is the mobile version of PSC Intelligence PC version for ship management companies, which was released in 2018. PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence mobile app The PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence mobile application has been developed for seafarers The PrimeShip-PSC Intellig...
Classification Society ClassNK will make electronic certificates and reports issued for ships as standard service from 30 January 2022. For the convenience of clients, ClassNK has been providing an environment in which documents can be used in electronic data upon request since the early 2000s for survey records and since 2017 for class certificates and statutory certificates issued on behalf of flag states. Electronification has become widespread due to its benefits in reducing the burden of h...
Over 150 industry leaders and organizations call for decisive government action to enable full decarbonization of international shipping by 2050 - Signatories of the Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonization urge world leaders to align shipping with the Paris Agreement temperature goal. The private sector is already taking important steps to decarbonize global supply chains. It is indispensable that governments deliver the policies that will supercharge the transition and make zero emissi...
ClassNK is committed to providing comprehensive services to support the industry’s efforts for the transition to zero-emission of shipping business. In support of measures for GHG emissions reduction, ClassNK has released 'Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels'. They are the updates with safety requirements for ships using ammonia as fuel on previously issued 'Guidelines for Ships Using Low-Flashpoint Fuels' covering LPG/Methanol/Ethanol, and provide comprehensive information o...
Tokyo-based renowned maritime services and classification society, ClassNK has announced the release of their ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’. ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’ The purpose of the publication, ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’, is contributing to the development of the maritime industry, by publishing the outcome of R&D (Research & Development) and technical activities. The latest issue ‘Class NK Technical Journal No.3 2021 (I)’ focuses...
Classification Society ClassNK has granted its notation indicating that the vessel is provided with the cutting edge hull monitoring system, for 'DREAM CLOVER,' 211,000 DWT bulk carrier which was built by Japan Marine United Corporation for Daiwa Kisen Co., Ltd., and to be chartered by NYK Line(delivery date: 28 July 2021). The vessel is marked with the first DSS(Hull Monitoring) on its notation in ClassNK’s registry. Rapid technological evolutions In the light of the rapid technologica...
Tokyo – Leading Classification Society - ClassNK, in cooperation with Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (‘K’ Line) and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) group, will conduct test operations and measurements for a small scale ship-based CO2 capture demonstration plant, in order to verify the equipment’s use as a marine-based CO2 capture system. This project is being conducted with support from the Maritime Bureau of Japan’s Mini...
While efforts to build a decarbonised society are being accelerated such as through strengthened GHG reduction targets in various countries and with the progress of sustainable finance, a framework for assessing GHG emissions has also been introduced to IMO regulations. The shipping industry is now required to plan and manage GHG emissions in an organised manner. Enhancing service portfolio ClassNK supports clients engaging in the shipping business in planning and managing GHG emissions C...
The foremost classification society ClassNK has published an onboard poster for ships titled "Issues after starting to use VLSFO," which outlines common main engine issues and recommended countermeasures when using Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) that complies with SOx regulations. Issues reported After the enforcement of regulations to limit sulphur content in marine fuel oil to 0.50% or less in 2020, issues when using compliant fuel oil are being reported occasionally. ClassNK compiled...
The foremost classification society ClassNK has proclaimed its roles to support the transition of the shipping business to zero-emission.While efforts to build a decarbonised society are being accelerated such as through strengthened GHG reduction targets in various countries and with the progress of sustainable finance, a framework for assessing GHG emissions has also been introduced to MARPOL. The shipping industry is now required to plan and manage GHG emissions in an organised manner. I...
Tokyo-based renowned classification society, ClassNK has announced that their Current Senior Executive Vice President, Hiroaki Sakashita has been appointed as the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), as well as a Representative Director, effective on 18 March, 2020. Current Senior Executive Vice Presidents - Tetsuya Kinoshita, Junichiro Iida, and Dr. Toshiyuki Shigemi will continue in their present roles on the team, joined by Hirofumi Takano and Taira Narisawa as the new Executive...
To support the pursuit of IMO’s decarbonisation targets, DNV has joined forces with 22 companies by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a joint cross-industry study of common issues concerning ammonia as an alternative marine fuel. Partners include representatives from the fields of energy, mining, power utility, chemical, terminal, shipping, shipbuilding, manufacture, bunkering, and classification. Transitioning to a low carbon future Transitioning to a low carbon futu...
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Ship Data Center Co., Ltd. (ShipDC) have agreed to use the latter’s IoS-OP to share data received from all NYK-operated vessels equipped with SIMS, expanding the total to about 200 NYK vessels. SIMS-equipped vessels Up until now, NYK had used ShipDC’s IoS-OP to share shipping data from some vessels equipped with SIMS, but the new agreement expands the data-sharing to all SIMS-equipped vessels within the NYK fleet. This agreement will dramati...
Tokyo – Leading Classification Society, ClassNK has granted its ‘Digital Smart Ship (DSS)’ notation for ‘SAKURA LEADER’, LNG-fuelled PCTC, which was ordered to Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co. Ltd., by NYK Line. The vessel is marked with the first ‘DSS’ on its notation in ClassNK’s registry. 'Guidelines for Digital Smart Ship' As a part of the society’s new initiative, ‘Innovation Endorsement’, aiming to certify innovations utilising...
NYK Line, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), and ENEOS Corporation (i.e., ‘the Companies’) are pleased to announce that the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has approved the Companies’ participation in a demonstration project for the commercialisation of high-power Fuel Cell (FC) vessels. The project, which will begin in September 2020, is Japan's first effort to...
ClassNK has granted an Approval in Principle (AIP) based on its “Guidelines for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems for Ships” and related regulations to Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) and AIRSEAS SAS for their automated kite system “Seawing”. Performance and safety The “Seawing” system collects and analyses meteorological and oceanic data in real-time According to an announcement by “K” Line and Airseas, “Seawing” i...
On August 6th, 2020, NYK Line, Japan Marine United Corporation, and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) signed a joint R&D agreement for the commercialisation of an ammonia-fueled ammonia gas carrier (AFAGC) that would use ammonia as the main fuel, in addition to an ammonia floating storage and regasification barge (A-FSRB). Background CO2-free hydrogen Since carbon dioxide (CO2) is not emitted when ammonia is burned, it is viewed to have promise as a next-generation fuel that could mitigate sh...
ClassNK has released its “Guidelines for Designing Cyber Security Onboard Ships” (Second Edition) for new building designs targeting shipyards and ship-building owners. In the second edition of the “Guidelines for Designing Cyber Security Onboard Ships”, the control measures and the framework to implement such measures were updated to incorporate the international cyber security standards for industrial control systems IEC 62443 series and the latest recommendation o...
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (“ClassNK”) joined the Maritime Transportation System Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MTS-ISAC) as part of a growing list of maritime community partners. This is an innovative relationship between the two nonprofit organisations aimed at strengthening vessel and shoreside cyber risk management. Preventing cyber incidents The partnership provides ClassNK with actionable insights from community-sourced cyber threat intelligence to reinforce ClassNK’...
Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (‘Imabari’), MAN Energy Solutions (hereinafter ‘MAN’), Mitsui E&S Machinery Co., Ltd. (‘Mitsui E&S Machinery’), ClassNK (‘ClassNK’), ITOCHU ENEX Co. Ltd. (‘ITOCHU ENEX’) and ITOCHU Corporation (‘ITOCHU’) have agreed to jointly develop ships equipped with the main engine using ammonia as its main fuel (‘Ammonia-fuelled Engine’). With international momentum towards the transi...
Tokyo – Leading Classification Society, ClassNK has granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) to Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., for their concept design of a 180,000 DWT LPG dual fuelled bulk carrier, developed in cooperation with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. Approval in Principle (AiP) The AiP was granted to the concept design, based on ClassNK’s Guidelines for Ships Using Low-Flashpoint Fuels and its Rule Part GF (regulation for ships using low-flashpoint fuels), incorporating...
ClassNK granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) to SHIN KURUSHIMA DOCKYARD CO., LTD. for their concept design of a 49,000 DWT LNG-fueled chemical tanker. The AiP was granted to the concept design based on its Rule Part GF (regulation for ships using low-flashpoint fuels) incorporating “International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), IMO Res. MSC.391(95) and MSC.458(101)”. Design features The main features of the design announced by S...
ClassNK has established its "Rules for the Survey and Construction of Governmental and Naval Ships", technical rules that are applied to governmental ships and their onboard equipment. Overseas transfer of defense equipment ClassNK has established standards for conducting third-party certification of governmental and naval ships During the overseas transfer of defense equipment including governmental ships and their onboard machinery, the equipment may be subject to third-party quality in...
Classification Society ClassNK, Japan Marine United (JMU), and NAPA have completed a joint feasibility study on 3D model-based plan approval using 3D CAD models as part of their technical investigation project. Shipbuilding designs are gradually transitioning from 2D drawings to those designed with 3D CAD software. Classification societies, whose plan approvals are currently based mostly on 2D drawings, are also required to develop a scheme for 3D CAD models from their submission to their exami...