ClassNK grants first “Digital Smart Ship” notation

Sakura Leader [Image: NYK Line]

Delivered to NYK Line today by Shin Kurishima Dockyard, Sakura Leader is not only the first large LNG-fueled PCTC to be built in Japan, but the first ship to be granted ClassNK’s “Digital Smart Ship (DSS)” notation.

ClassNK released its “Guidelines for Digital Smart Ship,” which stipulate the procedures for class notations for ships with advanced digital technology, as part of its “Innovation Endorsement” initiative announced earlier this year.

Following verification of the application submitted by Shin Kurushima Dockyard, ClassNK has added “DSS(EE),” for energy efficiency analysis function, “DSS(MM),” for machinery monitoring and “DSS(CNS),” for onboard data processing and data transmission to shore, to Sakura Leader’s notations.

“I am glad that the society has been able to issue the first class certificate with DSS just around two months after the related guidelines’ release,” said Hayato Suga, corporate officer, director of Plan Approval and Technical Solution Division at ClassNK. “I would like to appreciate NYK and Shin Kurushima Dockyard for their cooperation, enabling us to swiftly and smoothly carry out the verification. Granting this notation will be the milestone for our initiative facilitating advanced technology and the remarkable model of our upcoming certification process.”

NYK says delivery of the LNG-fueled ship marks “a remarkable step” toward achieving its environment management target of reducing CO2 emissions per ton-kilometer of transport by 50% by 2050.

The PCTC (pure car/truck carrier) will transport vehicles built by the Toyota Motor Corporation and has been selected as a model project by Japan’s Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and will receive support from the ministries for technical verification of CO2 emission reductions during actual voyages.