First meeting of ClassNK technical committee

The technical committee, which includes top technical experts from throughout the maritime industry as well as leading maritime universities, is charged with reviewing and approving all amendments to the ClassNK Rules. During the recent meeting the committee approved a total of 39 amendments and revisions to the leading class society’s rules, including changes reflecting new research, amendments to international regulations, and the changing needs of the maritime industry.

ClassNK chairman and president Noboru Ueda said “This has been a busy year for ClassNK,” adding that “In addition to serving as the chair society of the International Association of Classification Societies, we have also helped bring about the establishment of the association of Asian Classification Societies (ACS), and strengthened our connections with the Asian Shipowners Forum and Asian Shipbuilding Experts Forum. Going forward we will continue to work to ensure that the knowledge and expertise of the Asian maritime industry are reflected in the rules and regulations that govern our industry.”

At this first meeting of the committee, ClassNK presented a total of 39 revisions for review, including the following four amendments. Full text for all proposed amendments will be uploaded to the ClassNK website at a later date.

Construction of the base of bulwark stays

Methods for fixing attachments to hatch corners

Requirements for bridge navigation watch alarm systems (BNWAS）

Establishment of new rules for workboats and offshore support vessels

Following a thorough review, the Committee approved all of the revisions proposed by the class society. The newly approved amendments will now be submitted for final review by the ClassNK board of directors and Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism (for the rules for Japanese flagged vessels). Upon final approval, newly revised versions of the ClassNK Rules will be printed and made available to the public via the ClassNK website.