In relation to the subject, ClassNK has received instructions from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

1. The following ships which are surveyed and issued with safety certificates under the Merchant Shipping (Non-Convention Ships) Safety Regulations are required to be fitted with AIS.

(1) Tankers of 500 gross tonnage and above engaged on 30 mile limit voyages, and cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage, constructed on or after 1 July 2002.

(2) Ships constructed before 1 July 2002:
(I) in the case of tankers of 500 gross tonnage and above engaged on 30 mile limit voyages, and of 300 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage, not later than the first safety equipment survey on or after 1 July 2003:
(ii) in the case of cargo ships other than tankers of 300 gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 gross tonnage, not later than the first safety equipment survey on or after 1 July 2004 or by 31 December 2004, whichever occurs earlier.

2. Those ships which have already completed their safety equipment survey mentioned above and have yet to be fitted with AIS should be fitted with the AIS after a reasonable time frame, which should not be unduly long.

For any questions about the above, please contact:


NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
Material and Equipment Department, Administration Center, Head Office
Address: 4-7 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2020
Fax: +81-3-5226-2057
E-mail: eqd@classnk.or.jp