ClassNK eCertificates authorized by Liberian Registry

ClassNK has received authorization from the Liberian Registry to provide Liberian flagged vessels with electronic certificates for statutory surveys. ClassNK is the world's first classification society to be authorized by the Liberian Registry to issue certificates in electronic form.

ClassNK developed the "ClassNK e-Certificate" system to reduce the administrative burdens associated with the sending and onboard storing of numerous certificates and to make certificate information easier to retrieve.

The new system issues Class and Statutory certificates in a secure electronic format.

Trials for Liberian flagged ships in operation were carried out in cooperation with Japanese shipping companies, under the authorization and in mutual cooperation with the Liberian Flag Administration, the Liberian International Ship & Corporate registry, LLC (LISCR).

Using elements of the Liberian Registry's own digitized certificates, widely recognized in IMO, ClassNK has developed the ClassNK e-Certificate in conformity with the updated Guidelines for the Use of Electronic Certificates (FAL.5/Circ.39/Rev.2) issued by IMO in April.

As well as enabling the transmission and receiving of electronic data offshore, ClassNK e-Certificate allows users to verify the authenticity of certificates online to ensure data has not been manipulated or falsified.

The Liberian Registry has confirmed the certificates issued through ClassNK e-Certificate meet the requirements set out in the IMO Guidelines, and has authorized its use for statutory surveys.

The Liberian Registry also confirmed that ClassNK will be the sole classification society authorized to issue these e-Certificates in first three month period of this new initiative.

The Liberian Registry is requesting Port State Control and others to allow the use of ClassNK e-Certificate issued electronic certificates. The following certificates are covered by the system:

Load Line

SOLAS (SC, SE, SR, Exemption Certificates)

MARPOL (IOPP, NLS, ISPP, IAPP, EIAPP, IEE)

AFS

BWMS

ITC

SMC

SSC

MLC

The service will be available to Liberian flagged vessels in second quarter 2017.