Classnk News

As COVID-19 and a historically weak energy market wreaks havoc on maritime, Takeshi Okamoto, Corporate Officer and General Manager of EOD at ClassNK, tells Maritime Reporter & Engineering News in its May 2020 edition that the pandemic will effectively help to fast track portions of its ClassNK Digital Grand Design 2030 strategy, particularly "where we have a great interest in expanding evaluation methodologies using digital technology to substitute the current physical evaluation methods."Takeshi Okamoto was part of Maritime Reporter's report on 'Class'…

Several companies within Japan's NYK Group have partnered to test the remote navigation of a tugboat in Tokyo Bay.The tugboat, operated by NYK's Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha Corporation, was equipped with a manned remotely controlled system and put to the test by NYK and its group companies MTI Co. Ltd., Keihin Dock Co. Ltd., and Japan Marine Science Inc. (JMS).During the trials, the tug was operated remotely from an operation center in the city of Nishinomiya, approximately 400 kilometers away.

ClassNK granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) to NYK Line and MTI for their joint project on the concept design of an autonomous ship framework (development code “APExS”).In January 2020, ClassNK released its “Guidelines for Automated/Autonomous Operation of ships" which comprehensively summarize the requirements for each stage of conceptual design, design development, installation, and maintenance during the operation of automated/autonomous operation technologies.Jointly with NYK Line and MTI…

Classification society ClassNK granted Approval in Principle (AIP) for a 180,000 DWT liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dual-fuel bulk carrier concept design developed by Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in cooperation with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.The AiP was granted to the concept design based on ClassNK’s Guidelines for Ships Using Low-Flashpoint Fuels and its Rule Part GF (regulation for ships using low-flashpoint fuels) incorporating “International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), the current IMO Res.

A new study, ‘A quiet revolution - the maritime innovation ecosystem in Japan’, explores the commitments to Internet of Things (IoT)-based ship and crew management already made by corporate Japan, then goes on to offer unique insights into the country’s emerging start-up culture.The report, sponsored by Inmarsat is the first in a series of in-depth profiles into maritime technology and start-ups in specific countries. It builds on ‘Trade 2.0: How start-ups are driving the next generation of maritime trade’…

Dutch offshore equipment manufacturer Huisman has signed a contract with PaxOcean Engineering for the delivery of a 1,600mt Leg Encircling Crane. The crane will be installed on the new self-elevated platform (SEP) of Japanese company Penta-Ocean Construction, which ordered the unit from PaxOcean earlier this year.With this Huisman crane, the new jack-up unit will be capable to install 12 MW wind turbines and various foundations including monopiles. The jack-up rig will be built by PaxOcean Engineering in Batam, Indonesia.

Classification Society ClassNK has released its “Guidelines for Non-destructive Inspection by Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing”.Phased array ultrasonic testing is an advanced non-destructive inspection technology that enables the visualizing of flaw detection results and the digitizing of the record-keeping process. It has higher detection performance for defects in materials and welded joints compared to conventional ultrasonic testing.In recent years, the application of phased array ultrasonic testing in various industrial fields has been increasing…

Hiroaki Sakashita has been appointed as President & CEO as well as a Representative Director of classification society ClassNK, effective March 18, 2020. Current Senior Executive Vice Presidents Tetsuya Kinoshita, Junichiro Iida, and Dr. Toshiyuki Shigemi will continue in their present roles on the team, joined by Hirofumi Takano and Taira Narisawa as Executive Vice President.Koichi Fujiwara has been appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors, leaving the post of Representative Director, President & CEO.

ClassNK granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) based on its Rule Part N which adopts IGC Code and its Guidelines for Ships Using Low-Flashpoint Fuels to Daihatsu Diesel for their concept design of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) reformed gas fueled coastal LPG carrier developed in cooperation with Iino Gas Transport, Osaka Gas, Izumi Steel Works, and Miura Shipbuilding in terms of safety assessments.The vessel is designed to be equipped with an LPG reformer developed jointly by Daihatsu Diesel and Osaka Gas, and a dual fuel engine developed by Daihatsu Diesel.

ClassNK Consulting Service Co., Ltd.(NKCS) has launched of a maritime focused cyber security e-learning training service developed in cooperation with KDDI CORPORATION (KDDI) and KDDI Digital Security Inc. (KDS).An increased use of many solutions utilizing Big Data and IoT technologies has brought benefits, but it has also introduced cyber risks among maritime industries. Under these circumstances, training for those who are engaged in ship operation and other related industries is an important first step toward cyber safetyNKCS' new program…

Classifaction society ClassNK released new guidelines that explain the revised rules for using condition based maintenance (CBM) in class surveys to promote the use of CBM technology.Condition based maintenance, a method for monitoring the operating state of equipment, diagnosing the state of said equipment based upon the information obtained from such monitoring, and then performing necessary maintenance and inspections, has been attracting attention in recent years. ClassNK first introduced the concept of the CBM in its class rules in 1994.

MAKITA Corporation and MAN Energy Solutions have announced that the first ever PBST-branded and -built cluster-3 SCR-HP system has passed its ClassNK approval test at the MAKITA works in Japan.The most compact of its type in the market, the SCR system is one of four – originally ordered in 2018 and 2019 – for vessels featuring MAN B&W two-stroke engines with two now delivered and the others currently en route to customers. An MAN B&W 6S46ME-B8.5 engine will power each vessel, with the SCR-HP system making each vessel Tier III-compatible.

ClassNK released the latest version of its design support software PrimeShip-HULL (HCSR) Ver.7.0.0.Developed in response to the IACS Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (CSR BC & OT). The new version incorporates the latest rule amendments to CSR BC & OT including amendments based on feedback from the industry.Various functions were also added or improved in the PrimeShip-HULL (HCSR) prescriptive calculation software and direct strength assessment software.Rule Calculation Software• The creation speed of calculation reports significantly increased.

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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.

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 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 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 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.