ClassNK back at the top of the class
Tokyo: DNV GL’s time at the top of the ship classification league did not last long. Japan’s ClassNK announced today that it has resumed its top billing, according to data provided by shipbroker, Clarkson.
Class NK’s registered fleet has hit 366m dwt, equating to 21% of the global merchant fleet.
When Norway’s DNV and Germany’s GL merged in 2013 the pairing usurped ClassNK’s position at the top of the class leaderboard. Insiders at ClassNK confide to Splash that many customers from DNV GL parted with the new entity as the merger was not entirely smooth.
ClassNK chairman and president, Noboru Ueda (pictured) commented on reclaiming top spot: “At ClassNK, we believe that nationality is not relevant to our customers. Shipowners and operators around the world select their classification society on the basis of the services delivered.”
Speaking with Maritime CEO last week, Ueda said: “As the role of ClassNK evolves, we aim to become the infrastructure of the industry and create a safer, greener, more efficient future.”