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Private company

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai

Japanese ship classification society

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (一般財団法人日本海事協会, Ippan-zaidan-hōjin Nippon Kaiji Kyōkai), also known by it s brand name ClassNK, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization ship classification society. ClassNK is one of the seven founding members of the International Association of Classification Societies, otherwise known as IACS.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1899Founded1
  • Industrywater transport1
  • HeadquartersChiyoda, Japan1
  • Websitewww.classnk.or.jp
  • Legal formその他の設立登記法人3
  • Kind of organizationNonprofit organization1
  • LEI353800BR62ZXSHQJKS123
  • StatusActive3
  • LEI statusIssued and current3
  • Registered address紀尾井町4番7号, 102-8567 東京都 千代⽥区, Japan3
  • Registered withLegal Affairs Bureau, 0100-05-0166783

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Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (一般財団法人日本海事協会, Ippan-zaidan-hōjin Nippon Kaiji Kyōkai), also known by it s brand name ClassNK, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization ship classification society. ClassNK is one of the seven founding members of the International Association of Classification Societies, otherwise known as IACS.2

The story

As of December 2007, ClassNK had classified 6,793 ships with a total of 152.22 million gross tons, representing about 20% of the world merchant fleet currently under class. Although based in Japan, its surveyors work at shipbuilding and repair yards and ports around the world, examining ships wherever they are needed. On November 15, 1999, it celebrated its 100th anniversary. On May 28, 2012, ClassNK officially announced that its register had surpassed the 200 million gross ton mark, making it the world's first class society in history with more than 200 million gross tons on its register.

From Wikipedia’s article on Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Products and brands

Ship classification related services

Approval of service providers, manufacturers and manufacturing methods

Inspection of materials, equipment and similar products

Survey and registration of ship installations, machinery and appliances of new ships

Survey and registration of ships and offshore structures during construction

Read the full text

Survey and inspection of ships, offshore structures and related installations in service

Testing and inspection of material and other types of testing machines

Statutory services

Activities concerned with the certification of freight containers

Appraisal of grain loading

Assignment of freeboard

Assignment of load limits for cargo handling appliances

Audit and certification of safety management systems based on the ISM Code

Statutory survey and certification services based on SOLAS, ILLC, MARPOL and other international conventions and codes on behalf of flag state administrations

Assessment and registration services

Assessment and registration of environmental management systems based on the ISO14001 standards

Assessment and registration of quality systems based on the ISO9000 series of quality standards

Technical services

Appraisal and certification of ships and offshore structures

Commissioned testing, research and computer analysis services

Inspection and certification of non-marine machinery and equipment

Technical consulting regarding ships and offshore structures

Tonnage measurement and certification services

From Wikipedia’s article on Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Timeline

  1. 1899Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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