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Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) - South Asia and Oceania - Singapore Office (ID: 24806)
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A major contributor to NK's outstanding reputation over the years has been the quality of it's research and development activities. Established in 1955, the ClassNK Research Institute plays an active role in research and development concerned with new shipbuilding technologies. The research staff engage in a wide variety of research projects in basic and applied fields as well as the development of technical analysis software and related computer support in a new Research Center complex that was completed in 1993, which offers sophisticated facilities in a beautiful natural environment. The Technical Investigation and Information Department was newly integrated into the Research Center in 1996. A key outcome of the development activities has been the development of a ship survey status information search system which was first developed in May 1993. It became the basis for a new service, the Survey Status, History and Particulars Information Service, otherwise known as NK-SHIPS, which was first offered to clients from June 1997. NK-SHIPS can be used to obtain data concerning the main particulars of any NK-classed ship as well as information regarding the survey history, port state control and other information for a particular ship at the touch of a key. The service is now available to shipowners, government agencies and other interested parties via the Internet. Detailed information on NKSHIPS can be found here. The results of the Center's R&D activities are applied to the work of the Society and are published by ClassNK as part of its efforts to meet the development needs of shipping and related industries. Technical areas covered by recent projects include: Ship construction and strength Ship performance Ship equipment and installations Systems for assuring ship safety and reliability Future technologies Research work responding to the requests and needs of industry Recent Research Projects The research center also offers a "Technical Analysis Service". The Research Center is equipped with a supercomputer as well as numerous advanced engineering workstations all of which are used in the analysis of everything from large-scale structures to the calculation of minute local stresses. Computer applications have been developed and used by the Center for detailed examination of the following types of technical matters. 1. Structural Analysis Longitudinal strength calculations Analysis of hold structures Structural analysis of entire ship Local stress analysis Statistical estimation of loads and structural responses 2. Stability and Seakeeping Hydrostatics and stability cross curve calculations Damage stability calculations Grain loading stability calculations Tonnage measurement Analysis of manoeuvrability Analysis of seakeeping performance Analysis of responses to slamming 3. Offshore Structures Calculation of displacement Calculation of stability Calculation of response to various motions 4. Engines, Shafting and Propeller Systems Analysis of shafting alignment Analysis of crankshaft strength Analysis of propeller blade strength Analysis of gear teeth strength Analysis of torsional vibration of shafts 5. Other Strength analysis of cargo gear Noise estimation in accommodation spaces Control of chemical goods In addition, ClassNK has been actively engaged in developing and studying the feasibility of new information exchange systems based on CALS and STEP information technologies. Under these approaches, all information needed to represent and refer to a ship over its lifetime from planning and design through construction, operation, inspection, and maintenance is digitized in a standard format that can be readily and promptly exchanged among parties concerned via wide area networks. Naturally many of the R&D activities have been aimed at Rules development. In its main role of promoting the safety of ships, ClassNK has always provided the maritime community with the latest technical information and guidelines through the establishment, revision and updating of technical Rules for the construction and survey of ships. These Rules are based on research of advanced technologies and abundant technical data obtained from the examination and analysis of extensive survey experience acquired through more than a century of service. The Society also incorporates frequently changing international convention and code requirements in a prompt and timely manner in these technical Rules so that they may be adequately reflected in the design and construction of safe ships. Rules C100 Project ClassNK is currently conducting a comprehensive review of its technical Rules for hull structures with respect to wave loads, structural analysis methods, strength assessment methods, and corrosion margins thickness. Known as the Rules C100 Project, it includes making detailed estimates of the wave loads acting on ships using the latest analytical techniques, as well as proposing standard structural analysis methods and new strength evaluation criteria. In addition, thickness measurement data are being analyzed for a very large number of ships under class and new corrosion margins thickness proposed based on the results obtained. The results of these efforts are not only being incorporated as revisions to the Rules themselves, but are also being compiled as guidelines regarding detailed structural assessment techniques. Prime Ship PrimeShip and the concept of "Total Ship Care" In its continuing efforts to provide the latest and best technical services,ClassNK conducts research and development into advanced technologies based on the data and extensive technical experience it has accumulated over more than a century of ship classification experience, in order to meet the needs of the marine community. This work is aimed at supporting ship safety at every stage of a ship's life from inception and design through construction, operation, management, maintenance, and related activities. Aspects of all these life cycle processes of a ship are integrated in an interactive, consistent and harmonized manner as part of a comprehensive system known as PrimeShip. In short,PrimeShip is the collective name for the technically advanced and reliable systems and services comprising a total ship care system developed and offered by ClassNK and aimed at contributing to ensuring the comprehensive safety of ships throughout their operating lives as well as the prevention of marine pollution. PrimeShip integrates the existing software systems, guidances, databases and other services with state-of-the-art technologies to dynamically improve the efficiency the services offered by the Society to support total ship care. New programs and systems are continually being developed by ClassNK to enhance the effectiveness of PrimeShip to meet the technological needs of clients worldwide. The Systems and Services of PrimeShip PrimeShip includes products that are directly available to clients as well as a range of technical services offered based on related products and systems. All of these programs, systems and services are undergoing constant consolidation and refinement so as to be an ever better integral part of the PrimeShip total ship care philosophy. Major components of PrimeShip, including those under development, are shown in the following figure. Technical Services based on ClassNK's the most advanced technical guidelines. Hull Structure Strength Assessment Service (PrimeShip-HULL) PrimeShip-HULL Pamphlet Software applications and services available to industry clients Integrated Program for Determining Ship Performance Capability (Onboard-IPCA) Basic Design Omnibus Program System Using NK Rules (BOSUN) Basic Design Omnibus Program System Using NK Rules (for smaller ships)(CS-BOSUN) Software applications used in calculation services by the Society on behalf of industry clients Integrated Program for Determining Ship Performance Capability (Design-IPCA) Manoeuvrability Simulation System (MASIM) NK Advanced Structural Analysis Support System (NASTASS) Advanced Ship Structural Analysis and Validation System (ASSAS) Crankshaft Stress Calculation Program (CRANK) Propulsion Shafting Alignment Analysis System (SHAFA) Propeller Blade Strength Analysis Program (PBSAP) Torsional Vibration Calculation Program (TORRES) Ship Noise Estimation System (KNOISE) Rule Dimensioning Calculation Program for Machinery Installations (MCRUP) Chemical Properties Analysis Program (CHEMISYS) Services which provide measurement, analysis, and technical support to industry clients Emergency Technical Assistance Service (ETAS) Fuel Oil Analysis Service (FOAS) Lubrication Oil Analysis Service (LOAS) Condition and Life Assessment System (CLAS) Ship Condition Monitoring System (SCMS) Measurement Service of NOx Emitted from Diesel Engines (KNOX)* Comprehensive Hull Structural Information Database (HullExpert)* * Still under development. ClassNK has always placed great emphasis on the value of effective training and education in addition to on-site guidance and supervision. In this regard, the Society has always provided wide ranging opportunities for its surveyors and staff to pursue an extensive variety of training courses and programs. These courses and programs are designed to enhance their professional levels of technical expertise and experience based on a well laid out and documented training system. This emphasis dovetails well with recent discussions within the IMO and IACS regarding the need to assure the adequacy and suitability of the qualifications of surveyors, especially with respect to the supervision and follow-up review of the work of surveyors with more limited experience. To this end, a major goal of surveyor training is to enhance both the technical and practical skills and knowledge of the surveyors of the Society in order that they may be better prepared to provide services of the highest quality and professionalism to clients anywhere in the world. Training and Seminars on Behalf of Other Organizations Given the importance of education and training on the quality of service,the Society also offers a wide range of training seminars and courses for many outside organizations when so requested, based on its substantial technical expertise obtained through more than a century of survey and classification experience. These include: seminars conducted at the request of the Japanese Government and related agencies as part of its programs of international technical cooperation; seminars and training programs conducted at the request of governments and other organizations in other countries; as well as corporate seminars and training sessions. NK has a long and productive history of involvement in international activities. IACS ClassNK is one of the seven founding members of the International Association of Classification Societies, otherwise known as IACS. A major goal of IACS is to promote ship safety and prevent pollution of the marine environment in cooperation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other international organizations. ClassNK has assumed the chairmanship of IACS three times since the Association was first established in 1968 most recently 2000-2001. This, along with its active participation in the various Working Groups as well as the General Policy Group and the Council of the organization, has permitted the Society to make major contributions to the realization of the goals of the Association. IMO The International Maritime Organization, commonly referred to as the IMO, is one of the suborgans of the United Nations. The IMO, which is comprised of the representatives of the governments of each member country, is responsible for all global maritime affairs. One of the main functions of the IMO is the examination of matters related to ship safety and protection of the marine environment, the results of which are published in the form of international conventions or associated resolutions. These, in turn, are implemented by each member government by means of their respective legislation. IACS has observer status at the IMO and as such, participates in meetings of the Assembly, Council, Committees, such as the Marine Safety Committee (MSC) and Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), as well as a number of Sub-Committees. ClassNK is actively engaged in the activities of the IMO through its dispatching of specialists to these various meetings as members of the delegation from the Japanese government. Regional Committees of the Society ClassNK has established committees in various regions of the world with the aim of exchanging views between the Society and members of the shipping and shipbuilding industries in each respective region on a wide range of issues of mutual concern. These committees currently include the following: Asia Region: Hong Kong Committee Korea Committee Indian Committee China Committee Korea Technical Committee China Technical Committee Singapore Technical Committee Philippine Committee Thai Committee Taiwan Committee Taiwan Technical Committee Indonesia Committee Hong Kong Technical Committee European Region: Greek Committee Danish Technical Committee British Committee Turkish Commitee World Maritime University The World Maritime University or WMU is an institution of higher learning founded under the auspices of the IMO in 1983 with the aim of training of specialist maritime personnel from developing countries. Some one thousand graduates of the WMU now serve in various capacities in maritime related activities in more than 100 countries around the world. ClassNK maintains close ties with the WMU in numerous ways. This has included providing scholarships, donating personal computers and other equipment for use by the University, as well as occasionally sending specialists to speak at the University on specific topics and accepting students of the University for lectures and OJT as surveyors at a number of offices of the Society. Maritime Exhibitions and Technical Seminars ClassNK is an active participant at many international maritime exhibitions, including Posidonia, Nor-Shipping, and Sea Japan, amongst others around the world. The Society has also sponsored as well as contributed speakers to numerous technical seminars covering a broad range of topics of concern to many interested parties both within and outside the marine industry. ClassNK Testing Machine Department (TMD) has been certified as an Accredited Calibration Laboratory for Force Standards (Category of activity: Force, Field: force proving instruments and uniaxial testing machines, Accreditation number: 0093) in accordance with the traceability system under the Japan Calibration Service System (JCSS) of the Measurement Law of Japan. Possessing calibration machines and force proving instruments that are fully traceable to the Japanese national force standard, TMD provides inspection and calibration services at the request of interested members of industry. JCSS Accredited Calibration Laboratories are recognized by the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) of Japan based on ISO/IEC 17025 and are permitted to carry out calibration work within an approved calibration range. When the results of a calibration satisfy the requirements of the applicable standard, the Laboratory can issue a certificate of calibration with the MRA-JCSS logo mark on it. Such a certificate issued for a measuring instrument, a force proving instrument, or a uniaxial testing machine that has been thus calibrated certifies that traceability of the accuracy of the instrument to the national standard is ensured and it means their accuracy is accepted globally. In addition to providing JCSS based calibration services for force proving instruments and uniaxial testing machines, the Society also carries out inspection services for tensile testing machines, compression testing machines, and hardness testers, in addition to impact testers and other measuring instruments based on the Rules of the Society and Japanese Industrial Standards. Approved Calibration Range As of 1st June 2004 Category Field Type Range of Calibration Best measurement capability (k=2) Force Force Proving Instrument Based on method set forth in JIS B 7728 Compression 0.03 kN min. 1.5 kN max. 0.0108 % 0.1 kN min. 1.5 kN max 0.0099 % 0.1 kN min. 5 kN max. 0.0074 % 1 kN min. 50 kN max. 0.013 % 5 kN min. 500 kN max. 0.022 % 30 kN min. 500 kN max. 0.019 % 200 kN min. 500 kN max. 0.0098 % 50 kN min. 5000 kN max. 0.020 % Uniaxial Testing Machine Based on method set forth in JIS B 7721 Tension 1 N min. 100 kN max. 0.26 % More than 100 kN 1 MN max. 0.44 % Compression Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) - South Asia and Oceania - Singapore Office