We are very pleased to announce the addition of a new "Type of Ship" display function to our Ship Status Search Service (hereinafter referred to as "NK-SHIPS"*) which we hope will make this service more convenient for both shipowners and operators to use. This new function will allow NK-SHIPS to display the "Type of Ship" information which appears as a ship particular on certain statutory certificates. In addition, this new feature can be used to easily verify the definitions and explanations of various ship types.

This new feature will be especially helpful with respect to bulk carriers since the definitions applicable to such ships tend to vary according to date of construction and type of certificate. The particular SOLAS Regulations applicable, according to the date of construction and type of certificate, will be displayed as follows:

[For SC/SE/SF Certificates]
･ Bulk carrier (SOLAS IX Reg. 1.6)
･ Bulk carrier (SOLAS XII Reg. 1.1)
[For SMC/ISSC]
･ Bulk carrier (SOLAS IX Reg. 1.6)

Please note that "Type of Ship" shown on statutory certificates will only be displayed in NK-SHIPS in the following cases:
･ Japanese-flagged Ships:
In cases where ClassNK conducted a shipboard survey related to statutory matters, regardless of whether the relevant certificate for the ship in question was originally issued by ClassNK.
･ Non-Japanese-flagged Ships:
Only in cases where the statutory certificate for the ship in question was issued by ClassNK upon completion of the necessary surveys.

For more detailed information regarding this new function, please refer to the attached "Improved NK-SHIPS (image)" sheet.

We are confident that this new display feature will prove to be very useful to shipowners and operators both for their own verification purposes and those occasions when they need to explain their "Type of Ship" to others such as to PSC officers during inspections.

(To be continued)