ClassNK News

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to ‘CMAXS LC-A’ an engine monitoring system and service, developed by MITSUI E&S Co., Ltd. and Mitsui E&S DU Co., Ltd. In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certification for equipment and software technology wi...

Under Zero-Emission Accelerating Ship Finance (‘the Program’), which is jointly operated by Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) and ClassNK, ClassNK evaluated the LPG dual-fuel LPG/ammonia carrier, ‘CRYSTAL ODYSSEY’ (IMO 9997177), which is owned by Kumiai Navigation (Pte) Ltd (Kumiai Navigation). DBJ provided financing to Kumiai Navigation. In the shipping industry, where environmental regulations are becoming stricter as the industry moves towards decarbonisation, Clas...

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a LCO2/Methanol Carrier jointly developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. The certification confirms the feasibility of the vessel, which is being developed for commercialisation, from regulatory and safety perspectives. It marks the world’s first issuance of an AiP for a LCO2/Methanol Carrier. Advanced decarbonisation initiatives Upon confirming compliance with the prescribed requirements, ClassNK...

Accelleron has further simplified emissions reporting for users of its digital solutions after collaborating with Japanese class society ClassNK to establish a direct connection between Tekomar XPERT marine’s emissions module and the ClassNK MRV portal. Under European and IMO regulations, emissions reports need to be verified by an accredited entity before being submitted to the relevant authority. Tekomar XPERT’s emission module Tekomar XPERT’s emission module automates the...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the biofouling control service ‘FALCONs’ developed by MITSUI E&S Co., Ltd. In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certification for equipment and software technology with innovative functions. The detailed information...

ClassNK has released new features related to FuelEU Maritime and EU-ETS for its GHG emissions management tool, ‘ClassNK ZETA’. Additionally, with the integration with NAPA, its “NAPA Fleet Intelligence” is available on ClassNK ZETA. ClassNK ZETA is a tool for visualising GHG emissions / CII ratings of ships and supporting management of EU-ETS /FuelEU Maritime and is used for over 5,500 ships. New features  The details of the new features are as follows: FuelEU Ma...

ClassNK has started offering the 2025 edition of ClassNK Academy's e-learning content. These courses help new employees understand the maritime industry, deepen engineers' knowledge of ship stability, performance design, and structural strength, and enhance cybersecurity awareness for crew members and IT staff. Each course is available on the ClassNK Academy website, making it possible to learn the necessary knowledge anytime, anywhere. Audits of ship management systems ClassNK Academy was es...

ClassNK has released the ‘Guidelines for Safety Operation for Ammonia-Fueled Vessels’ for considering the introduction of ammonia-fuelled vessels to ensure safe operation on board ammonia-fuelled vessels. By following these guidelines, safe and secure operation can be achieved for those involved in the operation of ammonia-fuelled vessels. The Guidelines give top priority to protecting the safety of seafarers, and cover matters to be kept in mind in daily operations, such as me...

ClassNK has released ‘Prime Shipmanagement Guidelines’, which aim to achieve sustainable ship management with safety as the highest priority. Given the evolving environment surrounding ship management, including fuel transition, stricter regulations, and crew shortage, ClassNK aims to enable flexible responses to unexpected situations by drawing on lessons learned from successful case studies that had not received much attention before. ClassNK's ‘Prime Shipmanagement Guideli...

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for an Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage system (OCCS) developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding. The certification confirms its feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives. Interest in CO2 capture the method from exhaust gases is growing alongside fuel conversion as part of efforts to reduce GHG emissions from ships. In response, the development of OCCS is progressing. Safety requirements for OCCS ClassNK will often strive to contribute t...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the confined space drone with ultrasonic thickness measurement attachment 'Elios 3 UT Payload' developed by Flyability. In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certification for equipment and software technology with innovative functio...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the maritime cybersecurity solution, ‘CYTUR TM’ and ‘CYTUR SC-P’ (components of Rakuten Maritime) developed by Rakuten Symphony and its partner company CYTUR. In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certificatio...

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for the design concept of a retrofitted Kamsarmax bulk carrier, converting it from conventional fuel to methanol dual-fuel, jointly developed by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Fonden Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Centre for Zero Carbon Shipping. This certification demonstrates the regulatory feasibility of the ship, serving as a meaningful step in advancing the transition of the existing fleet to alternative fuels, as bulk carriers o...

The University of Osaka (President: Atsushi Kumanogoh), in collaboration with Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (President: Yukito Higaki, 'Imabari Shipbuilding'), Japan Marine United Corporation (President: Takashi Hirose, 'JMU'), Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (President & CEO: Hayato Suga, 'ClassNK'), and MTI Co., Ltd. (President: Hideki Suzuki, 'MTI') will establish the Open Collaboration Laboratory for Enabling Advanced Marine Systems (OCEANS) at the Techno Alliance Building within the Graduate Schoo...

Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers AS, a subsidiary of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha and Knutsen Group, has obtained Approval in Principle from ClassNK for the design of liquified CO2 carriers that use the elevated pressure method to store and transport liquefied carbon dioxide at ambient temperature. ClassNK has carried out a design review of this ship in accordance with the Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships, 'Part N', and has issued an Approval in Principle after confirming that t...

Current Senior Vice President Hayato Suga has been appointed as President & CEO as well as Representative Director of ClassNK and current Corporate Officer Fumihiko Higashi has been appointed as Executive Vice President, effective 21 March 2025. Former President & CEO Hiroaki Sakashita has been appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors, while former Chairman of the Board of Directors Koichi Fujiwara has assumed the position of Advisor to the Society. Challenges and digital transf...

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has published a comprehensive report titled "Safe Carriage of Electric Vehicles," addressing the critical issue of transporting electric vehicles (EVs) on Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels. With the increasing number of EVs being transported on vessels and rising safety concerns regarding onboard EV fires, the industry needs to be better prepared to detect, prevent and react to fires on board. Characteristics of EV fires There are no international...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia-fuelled ammonia bunkering vessel. This vessel is jointly developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and LMG Marin AS (a member of the Seatrium Group). As ammonia fuel utilization is expected in shipping for decarbonization, bunkering vessels that supply fuel to ships and related equipment will play an essential role in the supply chain. Fuel engines from IHI Power Systems Additionally, a safety verification was conduc...

Under Zero-Emission Accelerating Ship Finance (the Program), which is jointly operated by Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) and ClassNK, ClassNK evaluated the LNG-fueled car carrier ‘OCEANUS HIGHWAY’ (IMO No. 1046049), owned by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" LINE). DBJ provided financing to "K" LINE. In the shipping industry, where environmental regulations are becoming stricter as the industry moves towards decarbonisation, ClassNK evaluates ships based on a comprehensive scor...

A collaboration agreement has been signed between classification society ClassNK and maritime data and technology firm OceanScore to link the latter’s integrated solution for ClassNK ZETA (Zero Emissions Transition Accelerator) that enables users and related stakeholders to access visualised MRV/DCS data. Shipping companies using the ClassNK ZETA service will gain seamless access to OceanScore’s market-pioneering Compliance Manager under the agreement, which was inked on 20 January...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a design concept of a coastal liquefied CO2 carrier jointly developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Nippon Gas Line Co., Ltd. In building the CCS value chain, in addition to large ships transporting CO2 domestically and internationally, coastal vessels that collect CO2 from small-scale emission sites in Japan and transport it to base sites toward overseas storage sites play a crucial role, with demand expected to grow. Approval i...

The only on-engine NOx reduction solution for marine two-stroke engines, designed by Swiss marine power company WinGD, will be deployed for the first time on commercial engines after securing type approval. The integrated Selective Catalytic Reduction (iSCR) solution was tested at Mitsui E&S DU (MESDU) Co’s factory in Aioi, Japan, where three WinGD 5X52-S2.0 engines are being built for bulk carriers under construction at a Japanese shipyard. Iteration features The type approval foll...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to ‘D-VESSELKEEPER: EEM and PHM' developed by WinKong Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. ClassNK-registered vessels equipped with the product can be given the 'DSS' notations (EE+Sn, MM), which indicate ships with advanced digital technology. Innovative functions In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ...

ClassNK has released guidance to assist in the safe evacuation of crew members from vehicle carriers in the event of a cargo hold fire. Additionally, the world’s first notation, ‘AMEVC(EV),’ has been established to indicate vessels equipped with additional measures to facilitate safe evacuation. Evacuation challenges Vehicle carriers often have accommodation areas and life-saving equipment, such as lifeboats Vehicle carriers often have accommodation areas and life-saving eq...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a remote monitoring system for machines, ‘MAREWA-SYSTEM’ developed by KAGOO DOCKYARD Co., Ltd. ClassNK-registered vessels equipped with the product can be given the ‘DSS’ notations (MM, CNS, SM), which indicate ships with advanced digital technology. Deployment of products In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement fo...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the ROV training simulator ‘FF Virtual’ developed by FINDi Co., Ltd. In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certification for equipment and software technology with innovative functions. The detailed information is availab...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a cable transit sealing management system, ‘Roxtec Transit Operate™, developed by Roxtec International AB. In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certification for equipment and software technology with innovative fun...

Maritime digital training solutions provider Blue Orange Wave is proud to announce it has won the Crew Connect Global Award for Training and Safety at Sea.  The award is presented to a company, individual or team who have implemented significant technical, procedural, or operational improvements pioneering to reduction of risk to human life and cargo at sea. Some 21 companies were nominated in this category, with 5 making it to the finals – and Blue Orange Wave coming out on top....

ClassNK has launched a third-party product certification service for individual green steel products.  Under the service, ClassNK certifies each green steel product supplied by steel manufacturers using the mass balance approach, and affixes a certification logo to its mill certificate. By improving reliability and making identification easier, the service ensures that users feel more secure when ordering and using green steel. Mass balance approach ClassNK has supported decarbonisation...

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a 30,000 m3 LNG carrier equipped with two Mark III Flex membrane tanks, developed by GTT. The vessel’s ballast tank design and ballasting operations allow for the elimination of filing limits, enhancing operational flexibility. The AiP demonstrates the feasibility of this design concept. LNG carrier In LNG carriers with membrane tanks, filing limits are often required based on the strength assessments against sloshing loads, which ca...