World Leading Class Society Adds 11 Million GT in 9 months.
Leading classification society ClassNK continues its streak of incredible growth with the Society’s Classification Committee confirming today that its register topped 190 million gross tons for the first time at the end of September 2011. As ClassNK, already the world’s largest classification society, announced it’s register listed 7,596 ships totaling 190.6 million gross tons at the end of September, today’s achievement reveals that a net total of more than 11 million gross tons have joined the top society’s register in the first nine months of this year alone.
Speaking on the occasion, ClassNK Chairman and President Noboru Ueda said that: “The continued growth of our register in spite of the current tough economic climate and increased scrapping of older vessels reflects our unmatched commitment to service, as well as our growing presence in the maritime community around the world.” The growth of the ClassNK Register continues to be driven by newly built vessels, with newbuilding registrations reaching 14.8 million gross tons, roughly 87% of the 17.1 million gross tons that have joined NK’s register so far this year. The achievement puts ClassNK well on its way to matching its previous record of 17.8 million gross tons of newbuildings and 19.7 million gross tons in total it added to its register in 2010.
In line with ClassNK’s dominant position in the field of bulk carrier classification, bulkers of all sizes accounted for some 283 of the 593 ships, or just less than half of the ships added to the NK register from January to September, with significant numbers of cargo vessels, work boats & offshore support vessels, as well as gas and oil tankers making up the remainder of the additions.
“We view this growth as an incredible vote of confidence from the maritime industry,” said Mr. Ueda, adding that “In recognition of the great trust that has been placed in us, we will rededicate ourselves to promoting the growth and development of the maritime industry, and securing a brighter future for the entire maritime community.”