Japanese classification society ClassNK has obtained U.S. Coast Guard authorization to take part within the Coast Guard’s Alternate Compliance Program (ACP), offering U.S.-flagged shipowners and operators extra flexibility relating to surveys and inspections of their vessels.

The ACP was developed in its place technique for U.S.-flagged vessels to meet the regulatory necessities for building and operation. Under this system, ClassNK can now perform a variety of surveys and inspections on U.S.-flagged vessels on behalf of the USCG.

This is nice information for homeowners of U.S.-flagged vessels, ClassNK says. In accordance with USCG necessities, U.S.-flagged vessels are required to endure onboard inspections by the USCG earlier than a Certificate of Inspection (COI) might be issued. Under the ACP nevertheless, the USCG can difficulty a COI to an NK-classed, U.S.-flagged vessel primarily based upon studies from ClassNK with out the necessity for duplicative inspections.

“This eases the financial and regulatory burden on shipowners whilst maintaining existing levels of safety,” ClassNK says in its assertion asserting the authorization.

To be eligible to take part within the ACP, ClassNK needed to satisfactorily carry out a delegated perform for 2 years from its first registration of a U.S.-flagged vessel and show its dedication to steady high quality and vigorous verification of every vessel’s compliance with relevant requirements. ClassNK put their stamp on their first-ever U.S.-flagged ship in 2011 with the re-classing of the 2008-built oil product tanker SLNC PAX, owned by Schuyler Line Navigation Company (SLNC).

“Owners of US-flagged ships should be able to choose the classification society that best meets their needs,” commented ClassNK’s Regional Manager of North and Central America, Stewart Lee. “ClassNK’s timely and high-quality services consistently garner praise from shipowners, yards, designers and operators worldwide. Through the ACP we will continue providing our US clients with best-in-class services and support them in maintaining compliant, competitive operations.”

The ACP authorization is the most recent in ClassNK’s enlargement into the U.S. market. Since 2011, ClassNK surveyors have been licensed by the USCG to hold out the Load Line (LL) and Tonnage (TM69) survey for U.S.-flagged ships. In December 2012, their authorization was prolonged enabling ClassNK to render the complete vary of companies for survey and certification for the SOLAS, MARPOL and AFS conventions, in addition to to carry out ISM Audits on behalf of the United States flag administration.