ClassNK rolls out the sake barrel in New York

DECEMBER 11, 2012 — Earlier this year, Tokyo headquartered classification society ClassNK officially announced that its register had surged past the 200 million gross ton mark. Since then it has been hosting celebratory events at its offices around the world. Last month, it was New York City’s turn with a party at the Four Seasons hotel attended by more than 100 people.

Among the highlights of the event was a traditional celebratory Kagami-biraki sake barrel opening ceremony (pictured here). The ceremony involves breaking open the barrel lid with wooden barrels and the  Four Seasons party saw leading marine industry personalities putting on the requisite attire and joining Class NK Chairman and President Noboru Ueda for the ceremony.

From left: Jack Noonan (Chembulk), Mr. Wilken (ARTCO), Mr. Noboru Ueda (ClassNK,Chairman and President), Ramesh Bhat (Eagle), Hiromi Akasaka (Dowa Line), Calvin Cheng (Eastmark), Mike Elbers (APEX), Capt. Peter Johansen (Fairfield-Maxwell), Mr. Shunji Sasada (Navios)