ClassNK Releases 2013 Edition of Class Rules (Japan)

April 25, 2013

ClassNK announced today that it had released the 2013 edition of the Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships.

ClassNK 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 2012, reflecting its latest research outcomes, damage investigation and analysis of actual cases, amendments to statutory rules and regulations, and requests from the maritime industry. These amendments include the following:

Amendment:	Source:
New requirements for Specially Constructed Cargo Ships for the Carriage of Nickel Ore	Results of Research and Development
New requirements for Structural Strength at Bow Parts for Blunt Ships	Damage investigation feedback obtained during surveys
New requirements for the Energy Efficiency, etc. of Ships	Changes made to relevant international conventions
New requirements for Steering Tests at Sea Trials	Changes made to relevant IACS Unified Requirements
New requirements for Structural Bonding Methods for FRP Ships	Requests from industry