classification

A recent editorial in Lloyd's List analyzes trends across class societies, including the globalization of client bases and expansion into energy and consulting services.

The American Bureau of Shipping signed an agreement with Offshore Japan Corporation earlier this year to class a newbuilding Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel, the first Japanese flagged ship to be classed by the society.

ABS reports:

Class NK has signed its first German flagged vessel and received expanded capabilities to survey German flagged ships.

The classification society reports:

The Liberian Registry has granted authorization to the Croatian Registry of Shipping (CRS) to conduct audits, surveys and certifications on behalf of the flag.

United Arab Emirates based classification society Tasneef hopes to become a member of the Interational Association of Classification Societies (IACS) in a step toward developing the UAE as a maritime hub.

TradeWinds reports:

Finland has added ClassNK to its list of class societies approved to carry out inspections for its fleet.

Lloyd's List reports:

Finland appoints ClassNK to survey its fleet

The merger of classification societies DNV and GL, first announced last December, has officially been approved by competition authorities.

The Korean and Russian Registers of Shipping have signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding shipbuilding regulations for vessels intended for Arctic region transport.

Lloyd's List reports:

The United Arab Emirates has formed a classification society it hopes will become a mainstay in the Middle East market.