Classnk News

ClassNK has issued a Statement of Compliance (SoC) to PHP Ship Breaking and Recycling Industries Limited (PHP), a ship recycling facility in Chattogram (Chittagong), Bangladesh, verifying that the facility is in line with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (HKC).While ClassNK has so far issued 34 Statements of Compliance to ship recycling facilities around the globe, this is the first one issued by the Society to a facility in Bangladesh.

ClassNK released its “Guidelines for Automated/Autonomous Operation of ships ~Design development, Installation and Operation of Automated Operation Systems/Remote Operation Systems”.In the field of ships, research and development of technology related to maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) has been actively carried out with the aim of improving safety by preventing human error and improving working conditions by reducing the work load on crew members, and demonstration experiments…

Japanese classification society ClassNK has released amendments to its Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships on December 27, 2019.Some of the requirements amended are as follows:In response to feedback from damage investigations;- Amendment related to the Welding for Cross-joints subject to High Stress, Towing Winch Emergency Release Systems, and Arrangement, Connection and Protection, etc. of Piping SystemsIn response to industry requests;- Amendment related to the Steels Subject to Special Requirements for Ammonia Carriers…

Japan's largest carriers of containerized and other cargo Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced an agreement for joint development of the next-generation engine failure sign diagnosis application, in partnership with ClassNK Consulting Service, IHI Power Systems, and Mitsui E&S Machinery.The four companies are looking to develop the application by fusing ClassNK's "CMAXS LC-A/e-GICSX"(CMAXS) and MOL's FOCUS "Fleet Optimal Control Unified System", which is intended to enhance safe…

Classification Society ClassNK granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) based on its Rule Part GF which adopts IGF Code (regulation for ships using low-flashpoint fuels) to NS United Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. and Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. for their joint project on the concept design of an LNG-fueled capesize bulker.The main features of the design announced by Imabari Shipbuilding are as follows.“By installing two Type C LNG tanks at the stern, which are considered to be cost competitive and are comparatively easily to install…

Classification Society ClassNK certified the Cyber Security Management System (CSMS) of NYK Group subsidiary NYK LNG Shipmanagement Ltd. and its managed LNG carrier “PACIFIC MIMOSA”. This is the first CSMS certified by the Society.ClassNK released its “Cyber Security Management System for Ships” in March 2019 which provides guidance on ensuring, implementing, maintaining, and continuously improving the cyber security management system of companies and ships with the goal of safe navigation.

Classification Society ClassNK has concluded a joint research agreement for developing advanced condition-based maintenance (CBM), a new maintenance and management process for engine machinery plants, and establishing a new classification survey scheme based on CBM.In the joint research project, engine conditions will be continuously monitored and involve the real-time sharing of detailed data acquired from sources including SIMS2 developed by NYK Group and the newly installed sensors of large main engines.

Tokyo Kisen Co., Ltd. and e5 Lab Inc. have jointly developed the new concept design of “e5 Tug,” electric propulsion harbor tugboat powered by large-capacity battery and a hydrogen fuel cell.The e5 Tug is a harbor tug fully electrified and designed to minimize environmental footprint and is equipped with a propulsion system running on “e5 powertrain platform”, devised and planned by e5 Lab, which utilizes a large-capacity battery system as a main power source and a hydrogen fuel…

Classification Society ClassNK is participating in the “Getting to Zero Coalition”, an international corporate coalition that promotes the de-carbonization of the maritime industry.The Getting to Zero Coalition is an alliance that aims to have commercially viable zero emission vessels powered by zero emission fuels operating along international trade routes by 2030 in order to accomplish the IMO’s goal of reducing GHG emissions from international shipping in half by 2050 compared…

Classification Society ClassNK has released “Guidelines for Remote Surveys” in preparation for carrying out remote surveys using ICT (Information and Communication Technology). The guidelines outline requirements to apply to remote surveys for some types of occasional surveys, and from now on ClassNK will implement remote surveys that satisfy the requirements.ClassNK has been working on the advancement of surveys using digital technology in research and development in line with their R&D roadmap developed in 2017.

Japan’s shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Oshima Shipbuilding have jointly obtained Approval in Principle (AIP) from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai  (ClassNK) for the design of a hard sail system.The system converts wind energy to propulsive force with telescopic hard sail, and is a fundamental technology of the "Wind Challenger Project"  that MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding are spearheading.Along with other participating organizations, MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding have played a central role in research and development on the Wind Challenger Project…

A majority of ballast water management system (BWMS) installations are slated to take place in 2022 in line with requirement deadlines under the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM Convention), presenting potential supply and bottleneck challenges according to classification society ClassNK. The classification society in September 2018 analyzed the retrofitting status of BWMS on its registered ships and confirmed that installation deadlines based on the BWM Convention for many of them are highly concentrated in the year 2022.Upon reviewing the latest data now one year later in 2019…

Classification Society ClassNK granted an Approval in Principle (AIP) to Osaka Gas for their joint project with Daihatsu Diesel on an LPG Reformer for marine engines. This was the first AIP granted in Japan for such equipment.The LPG Reformer is designed to convert LPG into synthetic methane gas equivalent to the kind found in LNG. Due to being mainly composed of propane and butane, LPG is susceptible to knocking (abnormal combustion), making it difficult to use as a fuel for lean burn gas engines and dual fuel engines.

ClassNK established a cross-sectional cyber security project team made up of ship and security experts of the society, as cyber security for ships is entering a practical stage, including the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) resolution encouraging administrations to ensure that cyber risks are appropriately addressed in existing safety management systems no later than the first annual verification of the company’s Document of Compliance after January 1, 2021. Senior Executive Vice President Hiroaki Sakashita was chosen to lead the new team.

Classification Society ClassNK has released its Guidelines for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems for Ships.Environmental regulations continue to tighten, and as the IMO has announced its goal to completely eliminate GHG emissions within this century, technology using wind power for auxiliary propulsion is attracting attention as one of the underlying technologies for accomplishing this. In addition to the sails used on sailboats in older times, systems in which boats are dragged along by a large kite and the wind it receives…

Classification society ClassNK has undergone structural changes that include an integration of its point of contacts in order to more quickly and efficiently support clients with the IMO’s upcoming Sulphur Cap which will be globally enforced starting in January of 2020.In light of the increasingly strengthening SOx regulation, until now ClassNK had already been providing not only appropriate plan approvals/site surveys and information on international/regional regulations, but also carrying out various other initiatives to provide clients with compliant support to the new regulation.

Classification Society ClassNK is participating in the “Cross-industrial Working Group Related to Zero Emission Alternative Ship Fuels” established by the CCR Study Group (*). This working group which ClassNK acts as secretariat to aims to reduce CO2 emissions in the international value chain by use of methane synthesized through methanation technology which combines CO2 and hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources.In the international shipping sector, the IMO is carrying out initiatives to counter the global emission of greenhouse gas (GHG).

ClassNK  confirmed type approval certification for SMARTShip, a patented digital shipping solution developed by Alpha Ori Technologies (AOT).SMARTShip, an Internet of Things (IoT) platform that enables the onboard operation of multiple systems with varying degrees of autonomy, has already been installed on more than 30 vessels, with another 60 ships are at various stages of the set-up process.ClassNK’s certification for SMARTShip approves the solution as a ‘Computer Based System’ which conforms to the Class Society’s rules governing a product performing ‘Remote Monitoring and Diagnostics’…

NAPA, a maritime software, services, and data analysis provider, has announced the appointment of Tor E. Svensen, Vice President, Marine Technology at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to its board. Svensen has previously served as CEO of DNV GL Maritime, chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), and professor at the University of Strathclyde.As CEO of DNV GL Maritime, Svensen helped to outline a consistent vision of shipping's technology-enabled future, which achieved sustained, empirical improvements in safety, sustainability, and efficiency.

Classification society ClassNK has released its annual report on Port State Control. The report aims to assist ship operators and management companies in maintaining compliant operations by providing information about ships detained by PSC as well as deficiencies that were found on board from many port states in 2018.In line with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, PSC inspections ensure that vessels departing the port meet international standards and have proved to be highly effective in eliminating substandard ships that are in operation.

Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) delivered the first ever modern Cable Laying Vessel built for Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd. (KCS) Japan, on June 21, 2019. This is the biggest vessel, both in terms of length and price, ever built by Colombo Dockyard in its history, and the first ever ship built ‘in its class’ from Sri Lanka to Japan.This ship measures 113.1 x 21.5m with an 8.8 m depth, and with a maximum load laying draft of approx 7.1m has a deadweight carrying capacity of 5,757 DWT and a speed of 14.5 knots with accommodation facilities for 80 persons.This vessel is a modern…

Sri Lanka's Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) delivered its biggest and most sophisticated vessel, the submarine cable-laying ship KDDI Cable Infinity built for Japan's Kokusai Cable Ship Co.The KDDI Cable Infinity is meant for subsea operation and cable installation and repair works of optical cables as well as power cables. For the handling of power cables, the forward tank has been fitted with a carousel system with a Spooling Arm."This is the biggest ever vessel, price-wise as well as length-wise…

ClassNK has released Guidelines for Ships Using Low-Flashpoint Fuels (Methyl/Ethyl Alcohol / LPG).As the maritime industry is increasingly under regulatory mandate to reduce emissions, alternatives to diesel have been a focal point in recent years. These alternative fuels have lower flashpoints compared to traditional fuels, therefore particular attention needs to be given to ensuring adequate safety precautions when using low-flashpoint fuels in order to decrease the potential risk of fire and explosions that may arise as a result of fuel leakage onboard the ship.