Amendments to the IBC Code (MSC460(101) / MEPC318(74)), BCH Code (MSC463(101) / MEPC319(74)) and MARPOL 73/78 Annex II (MEPC315(74)) will enter into force on 1 January 2021 as noted in ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-1209. Japanese government policy has been obtained recently, therefore ClassNK would like to inform of necessary procedures for Japanese flag ships as follows.

1. Ships engaged in international voyage
(1) Plan approval
- ClassNK Hull Department will send documents and guidance to prepare the necessary drawings and application form for plan approval to management companies by e-mail.
- After receiving the above documents, please kindly submit necessary drawings together with the application to Hull Department by NK-PASS or e-mail (hld@classnk.or.jp).
- Please kindly provide the approved drawings onboard by the date of entry into force (1 January 2021).

(2) Statutory certificates
(i) Chemical tankers (ships having a certificate of fitness for the carriage of dangerous chemicals in bulk)
The certificate corresponding to the amendments issued by the Japanese government needs to be kept onboard by the date of entry into force (1 January 2021). And, for issuing the certificate, survey reports showing the necessary plan approval is completed need to be submitted to the Japanese government by ClassNK. Considering the above situation, please kindly take necessary actions beforehand.

(ii) Liquefied gas carriers (ships having NLS certificate)
Current NLS certificate needs to be continuously kept on board since the rewritten of the certificate is not necessary. (Only plan approval as described above (1) is required.)

2. Ships engaged in Non-international voyage
[This information is only for Japanese owners.]

(To be continued)