ClassNK Commences Provision of Archive Center Services

Classification society ClassNK announced that it has reached a preliminary agreement with NYK Lines Co. Ltd. and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Co. Ltd. regarding the use of the ClassNK Archive Center's As-built Drawings Storage Service (ADSS) for all kinds of ships.

This agreement was made following consultation with NYK Lines Co. Ltd. and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Co. Ltd., as well as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. and Imabari Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., the builders of the vessels that will utilize the service.

A total of three vessels will utilize ADSS under this agreement, including the NYK Lines owned Elegant Salute, a 95,000dwt bulk carrier, Sno. 1589, built at Imabari Shipbuilding's Marugame Corporate Headquarters; the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines operated Jozen, a 95,000dwt bulk carrier, Sno. 1585, built at Imabari Shipbuilding's Marugume Corporate Headquarters; and the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines owned Horaison, a 300,000dwt VLCC, Sno. 2282, built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Nagasaki shipyard.

The ClassNK Archive Center utilizes IBM Japan’s cloud computing technology. Although talks are still underway on requirements regarding the storage of Ship Construction Files (SCF) in line with the IMO’s Goal-Based Standards (GBS), applicable to bulkers and tankers contracted from July 1, 2016, this onshore SCF Archive Center will be ready to store electronic information of ship drawings as soon as requirements are decided.

Earlier this year, ClassNK provided the world’s first storage service for electronic ship drawings that is not limited to specific ship types ahead of the application of the above standards. The three vessels mentioned above will be the first to use this service, which in addition to managing SCFs, will also store various electronic data for a ship’s finished plan. ADSS consolidates and manages this data throughout the entirety of a ship's life, and shipowners, the users, can access the electronic storage service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through the internet.

It is crucial for archive centers to fulfill two requirements that are seemingly at odds with each other: security that can firmly protect intellectual property including finished plans, as well as easy access to information. ClassNK has developed technology that is able to provide both pragmatic, solid security and ease of use, drawing on their years of extensive experience to achieve stable and efficient operations, and provide a top-level service at an optimal cost.

www.classnk.or.jp