ClassNK News

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF), whose founding members include ABS, DNV, Lloyd’s Register, ClassNK, Japan’s Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Norwegian Maritime Authority, and the U.K.’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency, welcomed the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) as an associate member, further strengthening MTF’s collaborative approach to advancing safety and sustainability in the maritime industry. Globa...

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. Cyber resilience IACS has established UR E26 for ships and UR E27 for onboard 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...

Tokyo-based ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a Blue Visby Solution developed by Blue Visby Services Ltd. The company describes Blue Visby Solution as a multilateral platform for reducing shipping GHG emissions by 15% by eradicating the practice of ‘Sail Fast, then Wait (SFTW)’ by overcoming the obstacles of implementing ‘Just-in-Time’ berthing. Collaborative technological and contractual platform It consists of a collaborat...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a parcel layout concept for a hydrogen-fueled multi-purpose vessel developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., MOL Drybulk Ltd., Onomichi Dockyard Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., and Japan Engine Corporation. This is the world’s first AiP certification for a ship equipped with a large low-speed two-stroke hydrogen-fueled engine as the main propulsion engine. Growth and building of the vessel According to the companies, demon...

ClassNK has released a white paper 'Pathway to Zero-Emission in International Shipping – Understanding the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy'. In July 2023, the IMO adopted the ‘2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships’, which includes goals such as achieving net-zero GHG emissions by or around 2050. While the strategy sets numerical targets for reducing GHG emissions as well as indicative checkpoints, the maritime industry has not yet reached a common understanding of w...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a Berthing Aid System developed by Furuno Electric Co., Ltd (Furuno). In order 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 technology with innovative functions. Situational awareness Berthing Aid System us...

ClassNK has released "Guidelines for Fuel Cell Power Systems On Board Ships (Second Edition)", which cover safety provisions related to the design of ships powered by fuel cells as well as fuel cell power systems themselves, coming in anticipation of the growing adoption of fuel cells in maritime transport. Fuel cells are power systems that use electrical energy obtained from the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Notably, they do not emit CO2 during electricity generation, position...

ClassNK is hosting the "EU-ETS Seminar-Get Ready for EU Allowance in the Shipping Sector" in Singapore, inviting experts in EU Allowance (EUA) trading. It aims to share insights and guidance to help shipping companies prepare for the upcoming carbon credit scheme required for ships operating in EU waters.  Following the recent amendments to the EU Directive for EU Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) that extend its scope to the shipping sector, shipping companies will be mandated to manage E...

Tokyo-based classification society, ClassNK has conducted third-party certification for the CO2 emissions reductions of ‘JGreeX’, green-steel products provided by JFE Steel Corporation. ‘JGreeX’, green-steel products For each JGreeX product, JFE Steel uses the mass balance approach to determine the level of CO2 emissions reductions. Under this approach, the environmental values of CO2 emissions reductions across entire manufacturing processes are aggregated to any produ...

Tokyo-based classification society - ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an onboard CO2 capture and storage (OCCS) system, developed by China Shipbuilding Power Engineering Institute Co., Ltd. (CSPI), a member of CSSC Power (Group) Co. Ltd. (CPGC). In addition to fuel transition, interest in capturing CO2 from ships' exhaust gas is growing as a way to reduce GHG emissions, and the development of onboard systems for capturing and storing CO2 is being undertaken. ‘Guideli...

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) has joined the major classification societies to amend its rules relating to the inspection of seawater-lubricated propeller shaft systems. The amendment means that ships with open seawater-lubricated propeller shafts that are built to ClassNK rules are subject to the same 15-year shaft withdrawal inspection periods as oil-lubricated shafts and stern-tubes, subject to monitoring criteria. ClassNK amends rules for seawater-lubricated shafts The announcement brings...

Fukui Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (FUKUI) and ClassNK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning a joint study on a safety relief valve for a cargo tank of liquefied hydrogen carriers at the Gastech 2023 event, held in Singapore. To combat global warming, attention is growing towards hydrogen as an energy source that does not emit CO2 at the point of use. The realisation of a hydrogen-based society necessitates the establishment of a secure and efficient supply chain that distributes h...

ClassNK has released 'Guidelines for Liquefied Hydrogen (LH2) Carriers (Edition 2.0)', which cover essential details to examine the safety of liquefied hydrogen carriers to spur related technological developments. To construct a supply chain for hydrogen, which is expected to be a clean energy source in a decarbonised society, the development of liquefied hydrogen carriers that enable large-scale and efficient transportation is progressing actively. ClassNK’s R&D outcome IMO has wor...

Tokyo-based classification society, ClassNK has opened a new exclusive survey office in Paranagua, Brazil with operations beginning 1 September 2023. Paranagua, located in southern Brazil, ranks among the premier port cities in the country and has recently been expanding its port facilities. ClassNK's new survey office Recognising the increasing number of surveys and audits in the port and the neighbouring region, ClassNK has taken the initiative to open its newest office, aiming to provide m...

Tokyo - 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. The number of EVs transported by vessels has increased in recent years. However, there are concerns regarding the fire of their lithium-ion batteries due to difficulties in extinguishing and the risk of re-igniti...

ClassNK has released “FAQs on the FuelEU Maritime (1st Edition)”, an overview and necessary preparation for FuelEU Maritime, regulations newly introduced by the European Union (EU) to promote the decarbonisation of fuels used on board ships. The EU has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to the 1990 levels, to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Fit for 55 As part of a comprehensive climate policy package, "Fit for 55" for achiev...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia fuel supply system for an oil tanker and container ship developed by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).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 to humans and corrosive to materials. Zero-emission ships ClassNK accepted out a review of an ideational design of the p...

Tokyo-based classification society - ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a CII management solution called Bearing CII Optimizer, developed by Bearing, Inc. In order 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 technology with innovative functi...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a cargo containment system (CCS) and cargo handling system (CHS) for a liquefied hydrogen carrier developed by GTT. Hydrogen is expected to be used as a source of clean energy for decarbonisation since it does not emit CO2 when combusted. The technological development for maritime hydrogen transportation is progressing actively with the aim of establishing a hydrogen supply chain.  Review of CCS and CHS ClassNK carried out the design...

Tokyo-based classification society, 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. ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’ The latest issue - ‘ClassNK Technical Journal No.7 2023 (I)’ focuses on efforts toward the safe operation of progressively larger container ships. It provides an overview of structural rules ap...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia and liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carrier which has been jointly developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line). Ammonia is projected to be widely used as a source of clean energy for decarbonisation since it does not emit CO2 when combusted, and is expected to be increasingly transported by sea. On the other hand, efforts toward carbon dioxide capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), a pro...

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) has been granted Approval in Principle (AiP) from the Japanese classification society ClassNK for a ship that can transport ammonia and liquefied CO2 (LCO2). LCO2 carriers play an important role as one of the means of efficiently transporting captured and liquefied CO2 to storage sites or effective use sites in the CCUS (Carbon dioxide Capture, Utilisation and S...

ClassNK has received approval from the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) to accept HermAce developed by FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD (FURUNO) as an alternative for the onboard Annual Performance Test (APT) of the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR). It is now possible to conduct VDR APT remotely for Panamanian-flagged vessels registered with ClassNK.  Checking remote diagnosis SOLAS requires a VDR to have an APT with a qualified engineer visiting the vessel annually to check the operation and record vo...

Tokyo –based classification society, ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to cyber-security service for ships called FSE (Fleet Secure Endpoint), provided by JSAT MOBILE Communications Inc. In order 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 softwar...

NYK Line, IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. (IHI Power Systems), Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. (Nihon Shipyard), Japan Engine Corporation, and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) (hereafter, “the consortium”) are pleased to announce that the world’s first four-stroke ammonia-fuelled engine has successfully completed a land-based test for the stable combustion of fuel ammonia having an 80% co-firing ratio, as part of a demonstration project for the commercialisation of vessels equipped with a do...

Tokyo – based classification society, ClassNK has released its new white paper – ‘Towards MASS social implementation’. Regarding the development of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), various efforts gaining momentum worldwide, including the Nippon Foundation MEGURI 2040 Fully Autonomous Ship Program. The push for international rule establishment has been further intensified as the IMO MSC has agreed on a work plan to set forth mandatory requirements effective fro...

Tokyo-based classification society, ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a Ship Support Solution called MaSSA-One developed by BEMAC Corporation. 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, in order to establish appropriate evaluation criteria. Among the certification categories, ‘Products &...

Tokyo-based classification society, ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to an onboard data platform called TMIP (TERASAKI Marine Information Platform), developed by Terasaki Electric Co., Ltd. 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 certificat...

Tokyo-based classification society, ClassNK has released ‘Guidelines for Shipboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems’. The guidelines include provisions for indicating the class notation for vessels equipped with CO2 capture and storage systems or designed as ‘ready’ for their installation. In addition to fuel transition, interest in capturing CO2 from ships’ exhaust gas is growing as a way to reduce GHG emissions, and the development of onboard systems for capturing...

Tokyo – based classification society, ClassNK has released ‘Guidelines for Additional Fire-fighting Measures for Container Carrier’, which specify requirements for indicating additional fire safety measures on container carriers as a class notation. With the expansion of logistics and the growth in ship sizes, the characteristics and loading methods of cargo carried by ships have increasingly diversified. To achieve a higher level of safety, efforts are being made to implement...