ClassNK News

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the designs of a cable jointing vessel and a cable burial vessel developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. The certification demonstrates its feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives. In Japan, the expansion of wind power generation utilising offshore areas and surrounding islands with favourable wind conditions and relatively limited site constraints is expected as part of efforts to increase the share of renewable energy. Reinforc...

ClassNK has issued approval in principle (AiP) for a concept design of the Multiple Alternative Fuels Ready (Ammonia/Methanol/LNG) and OCCS Ready Bulk Carrier developed by Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The certification confirms the feasibility of the vessel from regulatory and safety perspectives. ClassNK has published Annex 1 Alternative Fuel Ready (Edition 3.0.1) of the Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels, which summarises the requirements for adding class notations to ships (&ldquo...

ClassNK has issued a General Design Approval (GDA) for the Low-pressure LCO2 Cargo Tank developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. This approval verifies the tank’s compliance with relevant rules at the detailed design level. GDA for a liquefied CO₂ cargo tank made of KF460 steel and applying technology that omits PWHT marks the world’s first case. This GDA includes a tank safety assessment process based on a fracture mechanics technique called Engineering Critical Assessme...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for Spray form insulation system of IMO Type B tank for LNG and Ammonia Fuel developed by Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. and Hankuk Carbon Co., Ltd. The certification demonstrates its feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives. As the maritime industry faces the pressing challenge of decarbonisation, the development of alternative-fuel vessels powered by LNG and ammonia is gaining momentum. Traditionally, IMO Type C tanks have been the mainst...

ClassNK has conducted Technology Qualification (TQ) for Ship to Shore Couplers (hereinafter 'this product') for liquefied hydrogen (LH2) transport jointly developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and TB Global Technologies, Ltd. and the relevant certificate has been issued. TQ is for qualification of safety of a new technology, showing equivalent to the technology based on existing rules and regulations, and this is the first case in ClassNK for liquefied hydrogen marine equipment. New con...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to 'Hydroponic Vegetable Grower for Ships' developed by HSN-KIKAI KOGYO Co., Ltd. ClassNK has confirmed that the 'ELW' notation (HP)- Hydroponics, which indicates ships where efforts are being made to improve the living and working environments on board, can be applied to ClassNK-registered vessels equipped with the product. Deployment of products and services In order to promote the spread and development of inn...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for 'Safety Berthing/Unberthing Assistance System' developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., and granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the 'Berthing and unberthing Assistance System-Human Machine Interface'. ClassNK has also confirmed that the 'a-SAFE' notation (BSS)-Berthing Support System, which indicate ships with advanced safety measures, can be applied to ClassNK-registered vessels equipped with Berthin...

ClassNK has released the 'Part A Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels (Edition 3.0.1)'. This edition includes supplementary explanations about interpretations of safety requirements for methyl/ethyl alcohol-fuelled ships, as well as compiling key points on required plans and documents, and class survey items specifically for such vessels. Background The 'Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels' comprehensively describe safety requirements for alternative-fueled ships. It sti...

The Floating Offshore Wind Power Technology Research Association (FLOWRA) of Japan and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) have signed, a Memorandum of Understanding to explore technology development cooperation in the field of floating offshore wind. FLOWRA and ClassNK will explore the possibilities of collaboration in floating offshore wind development. FLOWRA is a technical research association that works with overseas organisations to research and develop common basic technologies for floating of...

ClassNK has released 'Guidelines for Onboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems (Edition 2.0)' first in the world, which assumes onboard CO2 capture systems (OCCS) using membrane separation method which are expected to be applicable to a wide variety of vessel types. The guidelines can be supported the safety development, manufacturing, and installation of relevant system. Not only fuel transition, but interest in capturing CO2 from ships' exhaust gas is growing as a way to reduce GHG emissio...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for 'Samsung Remote Operation Centre (SROC)', a shore-based remote monitoring system developed by Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., and a certificate handover ceremony was held in KORMARINE 2025.  ClassNK is involved in various demonstration projects and continuously works to develop necessary safety standards, in order to support the development and implementation of automated/autonomous operation technologies from a safety perspective....

ClassNK has issued a Technology Qualification (TQ) for 'SAS-IBS', one of the components of the 'Samsung Autonomous Navigation Assistance System (SAS)' developed by Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., and a certificate handover ceremony was held in KORMARINE 2025. Technologies related to maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) are being actively developed to reduce human error, ease crew workloads, and address labour shortages. To support the implementation of such technologies, Class...

ClassNK has added Japan's first hydrogen-fueled tugboat TEN-OH to its register, which is built by TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. This vessel was developed and build under the 'Nippon Foundation Zero Emission Ships Project', a grant program by The Nippon Foundation aimed at developing ships with zero CO2 emissions. Impacts of hydrogen fuel Based on discussions among the parties involved during the planning stage of the vessel, ClassNK reviewed the safety requirements and countermea...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a Keel Clearance (UKC) predictive port management system ‘Dynamic UKC System (DUKC®)’ developed by OMC International. 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 inno...

ClassNK has agreed to collaborate with GTT Training Ltd. (GTT Training), a GTT subsidiary dedicated to the training of professionals in the LNG and future fuels industry. Under the framework of the ClassNK Academy, ClassNK invites lecturers from GTT Training to provide specialised training courses on alternative fuels, focusing on LNG. Efficient handling of alternative fuels GTT Training specialises in providing training based on GTT's technology and know-how GTT is a technology and engineer...

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a methanol fuel tank design concept developed by SRC Group. The certification demonstrates its feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives.  With the growing adoption of alternative fuels such as methanol in the maritime industry, the development of safe and efficient fuel storage solutions has become increasingly important. The design concept enables efficient utilisation of fuel tank capacity while meeting safety requirements...

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) has granted approval in principle (AiP) to SRC for Methanol Superstorage, the innovative tank design concept that uses a Sandwich Plate System (SPS) technology to almost double shipboard storage capacity for both methanol and ethanol. The ClassNK AiP confirms that Methanol Superstorage is feasible for the intended application in accordance with the Society’s 'Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels, Part A: Guidelines for Ships Using Methyl/Ethyl Alcohol...

ClassNK has released new guidelines for those involved in container shipping, aiming to enhance the efficiency of container stowage, while ensuring safety measures, such as preventing cargo collapse. These guidelines apply the latest expertise in weather forecasting, ship motion, and digital twin technologies. The newly released 'Guidelines for the Safety of Maritime Cargo Based on Weather Forecasts,' 'Guidelines for Anti-Rolling Devices,' and 'Guidelines for Container Stowage and Securing Arra...

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a large liquefied CO2 carrier (50,000 m3) jointly developed by Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co., Ltd. (DSOC) and Nantong Offshore Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd (NODRI). The certification confirms the feasibility of the vessel from regulatory and safety perspectives. Advanced decarbonisation initiatives ClassNK reviewed the design concept of the vessel based on its 'Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ship...

Fukui Seisakusho Co., Ltd. and ClassNK have signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) for joint consideration of ultra-high pressure safety relief valves designed for the use in hydrogen dual-fuel engines, and hosted a signing ceremony at the 'Gastech 2025' exhibition being held in Milan, Italy.  Both parties agreed in 2023 to jointly conduct study for installation of safety relief valves for cargo tanks of liquefied hydrogen carriers on actual ships, and signed a MOU in 'Gastech 2023'....

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for an ammonia fuelled LPG/NH₃ carrier, applied for jointly by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and MITSUI E&S Co., Ltd. The certification demonstrates its feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives. Ammonia, which does not emit CO₂ during combustion, is expected to see wider use as a zero-carbon fuel for ships. At present, various studies and development efforts are underway to bring ammonia fuelled ships into practical use. Intern...

ClassNK announced that a consortium it formed with IHI Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, Tohoku University, and the Institute of Science, Tokyo was selected by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to participate in the Feasibility Study Program on Energy and New Environmental Technology. The consortium will promote the development of Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) Probability Evaluation Tools for Fuel Ammonia Storage Tank and Transportation Equipment. The c...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the maritime cybersecurity support solution, ‘CYTUR-MCTI’ developed by CYTUR and its partner company - Rakuten Symphony. 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 innov...

ClassNK has released 'ClassNK Technical Journal No.11 2025 (Ⅰ)'. This issue features the title 'Latest Technological Trends for Protection of the Marine Environment', providing the particularly well-received presentations on 'Underwater Noise from Ships' and 'Safe Decarbonisation’ from 'ClassNK R&D Forum 2025', which was attended by more than 200 participants. 'ClassNK Technical Journal', has been published to contribute to the advancement of technology and society through the outcome...

ClassNK launches a new service, ‘ClassNK Fleet Cost Simulation’, as part of its ‘ClassNK Transition Support Services’, which aims to facilitate the maritime industry’s transition to decarbonised fuels. This new service estimates the cost impact of GHG emission reduction regulations, including IMO's mid-term measures, EU-ETS, and FuelEU Maritime on behalf of clients. This service provides the ‘ClassNK Fleet Cost Calculator’, a calculation tool that simu...

ClassNK has released ‘FAQs on the FuelEU Maritime (4th Edition)’. It can serve as a helpful guide for stakeholders in the shipping sector when considering measures to comply with environmental regulations. FuelEU Maritime, an EU regulation aimed at promoting the decarbonisation of fuels used on board ships, has entered into force and applies to all ships above 5,000 gross tonnage calling at EU ports from January 1, 2025. Latest clarifications from EMSA’s webinar In this &lsq...

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...