Global Maritime Directory

The maritime industry, company by company

ClassNK Inspection, Survey & Testing

Ship Classification

Classification of ships: plan approval, surveys and registration of ships and installations, and approval of materials, equipment and outfitting gear.

Description

ClassNK's classification service covers every stage of ship classification, from approval of vessel and machinery plans to the survey and registration of ships and ship installations, and the approval of materials, equipment and outfitting gear. The Society's rules are applied to newbuildings and existing ships, and its surveyors work in shipbuilding and repair yards and at ports worldwide.

Key features

  • Plan approval for vessels and machinery
  • Survey and registration of ships and ship installations
  • Approval of materials, equipment and outfitting gear
  • Rules covering hull structures, propulsion systems, electrics, electronic systems, safety equipment and cargo handling gear

Scale

As of the end of September 2026, 9,844 ships totaling over 286 million g.t. were under ClassNK class, about 20 percent of the world merchant fleet under class.

Specifications

Ships under class9,844 (end of September 2026)
Gross tonnage under classover 286 million g.t.
Share of world merchant fleet under classapprox. 20%

More from ClassNK

All services of ClassNK →