Tag: ClassNK

ClassNK has released a new revised edition of its Guidelines for Hull Girder Torsional Strength Assessment which comprise section of the leading class society's Guidelines for Container Carrier Structures.In order to respond to the rapidly increasing size of container carriers, as well as rationally address the latest theories and methods of container carrier design, ClassNK began to a comprehensive process to review and update its Guidelines for Container Carrier Structures in 2011.The Guidelines for Container Carrier Structures are comprised of a total of 4 separate guidelines developed to help shipyards and designers address a number of technical aspects of container carrier design, including guidelines for "Assessment of Direct Strength Analysis", "Hull Girder Torsional Strength Assessment", "Fatigue Strength Assessment", and "Ultimate Longitudinal Bending Moment Capacity Assessment".The Guidelines for Assessment of Direct Strength Analysis were revised and released in September 2011, with the remaining guidelines expected to be released in the near future. The revised edition of the Guidelines for Hull Girder Torsional Strength Assessment is available for free via the "Guidelines" section of the ClassNK website. ClassNK has also released a new revised and upgraded version of its "PrimeShip-HULL(DSA)/Guideline for Containers Carriers", software designed to rapidly perform the calculations laid out ...

Two classification societies combine their efforts for the Hong Kong Ship Recycling Convection ClassNK joined hands with Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) to bring into focus the Hong Kong convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships which was been adopted on 15th May 2009. In order to show the way forward ClassNK is conducting seminars for the benefit of all concerned stakeholders including ship owners, ship recyclers, brokers, ship managers, ship builders, etc., in order to prepare them for an easy transition to the new system when it comes into force since they would be expected to comply with various new regulations.In the first such seminar held last week, ClassNK and IRS succeeded in bringing together one of the largest number of players associated with shipping and ship recycling on one platform. There were representatives not only from amongst ship builders, shipping companies, ship breakers including the world's biggest ship breaking yard, Alang in Gujarat, on the West coast of India, but also from South Asia and Far East. With deliberations taking place in a congenial atmosphere, it was interesting to note that each presentation ended up with stimulating and lively discussion.ClassNK representatives announced that it is ...

Ship classification milestone Leading classification society ClassNK has officially announced its register has surged past the 200 million gross ton mark, representing what ClassNK Chairman and President Noboru Ueda has described as a "historic achievement".A party celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the London office was attended by many leaders from the maritime community, including IMO Secretary General Koji Sekimizu and IMIF Chairman Jim Davis CBE. This achievement makes ClassNK the world's first class society in history to have more than 200 million gross tons on its register.Speaking during the party, ClassNK Chairman and President Noboru Ueda recognised the role of the greater maritime industry, and expressed his thanks to ClassNK's clients and partners around the world: "This achievement highlights the incredible growth of the world maritime industry over the past decade, as well as the undeniable importance of the shipping and shipbuilding industries to the continued growth and development of the global economy, and we could not have achieved this historic milestone without the deep trust and continuing support of the global maritime community."Mr. Ueda also tied the society's ongoing success to its increasing internationalisation and growth around the world: "Fifty years ago, ClassNK opened our very ...

ClassNK- TEC 0904 In accordance with SOLAS Chapter II-1/Reg. 3-5, new installation of materials which contain asbestos shall be prohibited for all ships from 1 July 2002, except for some cases, e.g., gaskets used under high temperature, etc, and further, those exceptions are not accepted from 1 January 2012.Meanwhile, IMO pointed out that materials which contain asbestos are still newly installed onboard ships. In response to this, IACS adopted Unified Interpretation UI SC249 which requires the confirmation of asbestos-free declarations and supporting documentation as a verification method for asbestos-free.This Unified Interpretation is deliberated upon by the IMO at the 90th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC90) held from 16 May 2012 to 25 May 2012, where it is expected to approved. When IMO agrees with this UI, ClassNK will act accordingly and incorporate UI SC249 into our Rules as follows;(1) New ships: applied to ships constructed on or after 1 July 2012 Please submit asbestos-free declarations and supporting documentation for equipment, component, etc. which are installed for ships constructed on or after 1 July 2012 to ClassNK site office.(2) Existing ships: applied to the first periodical survey on or after 1 July 2012i) Please prepare asbestos-free declarations and supporting ...

Energy Efficiency Management Plan project will also involve Imabari'shipping and shipbuilding arms Japanese classification society Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) and major ship design and operations software house are to collaborate to provide the most comprehensive solution for Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans (SEEMP).The SEEMP solution will combine modules to optimise trim, route and speed optimisation and weather routing with an analytical service to offer operational efficiency and decision support. The system is intended to allow owners and operators to respond quickly and adapt operations in real-time to "capitalise on latent efficiencies within operations in order to increase eco-efficiency and reduce fuel consumption as a solution for SEEMP".A statement says: "The collaborative solution builds upon the in-depth understanding of ship performance in practice delivered by two world-leading companies in their respective fields. By sharing their expertise, this co-operation will provide an unrivalled service for ship owners, operators and shipbuilders across the globe seeking to rationalise energy consumption and emissions, reduce fuel costs and find an effective solution for SEEMP, for which regulation will come into force on 1st January 2013, ultimately mitigating the environmental impact of operations."ClassNK and NAPA say that they are working closely with Japan's largest shipbuilder, Imabari Shipbuilding, ...

012 edition of the 'Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships ClassNK has announced the release of the 2012 edition of the 'Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships'.ClassNK says it continuously reviews, updates, and amends its technical rules and guidance as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the safety of life and property at sea, and to protect the marine environment. This year's edition of the rules and guidance contains a number of amendments made in 2011, reflecting its latest research results, damage investigations and analysis of actual cases, amendments to statutory rules and regulations, and requests from the maritime industry. These amendments include the following:New requirements for container ships New rules for methods to fix attachments to the corners of cargo hatchesNew requirements for Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm Systems (BNWAS)New requirements for work-shipsSource: ClassNK

Approval of NYK Line and Semih Sohtorik ClassNK is part of a voluntary SEEMP certification programme Japanese classification society ClassNK has issued its first certification for Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans (SEEMP). They are for Japanese shipowner NYK Line and Turkish ship management company Semih Sohtorik Management & Agency Inc (SSMA).ClassNK notes that 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 shipowners and managers comply with the new requirements, ClassNK has begun offering a voluntary SEEMP certification programme, and the certification of NYK Line and SSMA is part of that.ClassNK says in statement that, as part of the certification process, it 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 ...

ClassNK -TEC 0899 ClassNK issues Technical Information TEC-0899 regarding Fall Preventer Devices (FPDs) for the UK Flagged vessels as follows:The UK Government has notified ClassNK of the special requirement for fall preventer devices (FPDs) for lifeboats on board UK flagged vessels (MGN 445 (M+F)).The UK Government strongly urges that all UK vessels fitted with lifeboat on-load release systems (LRRS) should be equipped with FPDs in accordance with MSC.1/Circ.1327 pending the evaluation of the systems for compliance with the requirements of the revised LSA Code.For more information, click here.Source: ClassNK

ClassNK - TEC 0897 ClassNK issues Technical Information TEC - 0897 regarding MPA Instruction to prevent PSC detention for Singapore Ships as follows:Please note that, on 15 February 2012, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) issued Preventive action against PSC ship detention at a foreign port and especially at Australian ports as per the message from MPA with Ref. No.FSC5.02. Please see the attachment for details.MPA's main requirements are as follows:1. For all the Singaporean ships under your management, execution of Thorough Inspection (including ISM matters) by Company's shore personnel or Ship's senior officers and rectification of deficiency/ non conformity.In case where any serious deficiency/ non-conformity which can not be rectified immediately is found, reporting to MPA, ClassNK and PSC at calling port,2. Prior to the entry into Australian port, submission of Master's Declaration to MPA, on completion of thorough inspection and no serious deficiency/ non conformity which is not rectified or reported.For more information, click here.Source: ClassNK

Expected to be widely used in shipbuilding ClassNK announced yesterday that it had issued an approval for a friction stir welding (FSW) method using a floating bobbin tool to IHI Corporation. The approval certifies that this new method complies with ClassNK's Guidelines on Friction Stir Welding. IHI is considering applying this welding method to the aluminum sections of LNG carriers and/or FLNGs cargo tanks such as the IHI-SPB tank, which had been independently developed by IHI group at its Aichi Works.FSW is currently becoming a popular method used in the fields of railcar, automobile and airplane construction, thanks to its superiority to arc welding in a number of aspects. Key advantages of FSW are that it does not produce arc and fume at the time of welding and provides relative control over welding deformation. Its application is now limited to low melting point materials such as aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy because of the friction heat generated in the welding process. However, it is expected to be widely used in shipbuilding in relation to the construction of aluminum alloy structures.Furthermore, this welding method is equipped with a solution to one of the common defects in FSW. Generally, a rod-like tool ...