ClassNK Issues Certifications for Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan

Tokyo - ClassNK announced today that it had issued certifications for Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans (SEEMP) to Japanese ship owner Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK LINE) and Turkish ship management company Semih Sohtorik Management & Agency Inc. (SSMA). These two certifications are the first of their kind to be issued by ClassNK.

New amendments to Annex VI of the Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) related to reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from ships were adopted at the 62nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in July 2011. The amendments require both new and existing ships with a gross tonnage of 400 tons or greater engaged on international voyages to retain a SEEMP onboard on or after 1 January 2013.

In order to assist ship owners and managers comply with the new requirements, ClassNK has begun offering a voluntary SEEMP certification program, and the certification of NYK Line and SSMA marks the first time for ClassNK to issue certifications in line with the new service. As part of the certification process, ClassNK carried out a thorough examination of both company’s SEEMPs and verified that the contents and procedures for improving the energy efficiency of their ships included in their plans were in accordance with the IMO Guidelines.

By offering new services to help ship owners and operators improve ship efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, such as SEEMP certification, ClassNK is proactively address environmental concerns in the maritime industry.