Statutory Services

Statutory Surveys and Related Services

More than one hundred government Administrations around the world recognize and authorize ClassNK to act on their behalf to conduct surveys and issue certificates in accordance with international conventions and codes as well as national requirements pertaining to ship safety and the prevention of marine pollution. Please contact ClassNK External Affairs Department for more information.

Major international conventions and codes directly relevant to the surveying and certification activities of the Society include the following.

  • International Convention on Load Lines (ICLL)
  • International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
  • Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG)
  • International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
  • International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships (TONNAGE)
  • International Safety Management Code (ISM Code)
  • International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code)

Assignment of Safe Working Loads for Cargo Handling Appliances

ClassNK is also engaged in the evaluation of drawings and documentation related to cargo loading appliances together with the assignment of safe working loads of both new and existing ships in accordance with the Rules of the Society based on relevant International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions.

Approval of Freight Containers

Freight containers used in the carriage of cargo at sea must be built to ISO requirements and need to have various types of approvals in accordance with international conventions concerned with the safety and clearance of such containers. Another of ClassNK's varied duties consists of work related to the inspection and certification of such containers based on its Rules and these various relevant conventions.

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