, also known by it s brand name ClassNK, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization ship

classification society A ship classification society or ship classification organisation is a non-governmental organization that establishes and maintains technical standards for the construction and operation of Shipping, ships and Offshore platform, offshore structure ...

. ClassNK is one of the seven founding members of the International Association of Classification Societies, otherwise known as IACS.

Background

ClassNK had classified 6,793 ships with a total of 152.22 million gross tons, representing about 20% of the world merchant fleet currently under class. Although based in Japan, its surveyors work at shipbuilding and repair yards and ports around the world, examining ships wherever they are needed. On November 15, 1999, it celebrated its 100th anniversary. On May 28, 2012, ClassNK officially announced that its register had surpassed the 200 million gross ton mark, making it the world's first class society in history with more than 200 million gross tons on its register.

Activities

Service offered by ClassNK include ship classification surveys, statutory surveys, and certification on behalf of Flag States based on international conventions, codes, national statutes, and its own rules and regulations. The organization also provides assessment and certification services for the safety management systems of ship management companies and the quality systems of ship builders and related manufacturers, acting as an independent third party. In addition, it offers appraisal, consulting, and supervisory services for both marine and non-marine related projects.

Ship classification related services

*Approval of service providers, manufacturers and manufacturing methods *Inspection of materials, equipment and similar products *Survey and registration of ship installations, machinery and appliances of new ships *Survey and registration of ships and offshore structures during construction *Survey and inspection of ships, offshore structures and related installations in service *Testing and inspection of material and other types of testing machines

Statutory services

*Activities concerned with the certification of freight

containers A container is any receptacle or enclosure for holding a product used in storage, packaging, and transportation, including shipping. Things kept inside of a container are protected on several sides by being inside of its structure. The term ...

*Appraisal of grain loading *Assignment of freeboard *Assignment of load limits for cargo handling appliances *

Audit An audit is an "independent examination of financial information of any entity, whether profit oriented or not, irrespective of its size or legal form when such an examination is conducted with a view to express an opinion thereon." Auditing al ...

and

certification Certification is part of testing, inspection and certification and the provision by an independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements. It is the formal attestatio ...

safety Safety is the state of being protected from harm or other danger. Safety can also refer to the control of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk. Meanings The word 'safety' entered the English language in the 1 ...

management systems based on the ISM Code *Statutory survey and certification services based on SOLAS, ILLC, MARPOL and other international conventions and codes on behalf of

flag A flag is a piece of textile, fabric (most often rectangular) with distinctive colours and design. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design employed, and fla ...

state administrations

Assessment and registration services

*Assessment and registration of environmental management systems based on the ISO14001 standards *Assessment and registration of quality systems based on the ISO9000 series of quality standards

Technical services

*Appraisal and certification of ships and offshore structures *Commissioned testing, research and computer analysis services *Inspection and certification of non-marine machinery and equipment *Technical consulting regarding ships and offshore structures *Tonnage measurement and certification services

References

External links

ClassNK official websiteIACS – International Association of Classification Societies
{{Authority control Trade associations based in Japan Water transport in Japan Ship classification societies