Japanese classification Society ClassNK reports that it has granted its first Digital Smart Ship (DSS) notation, to a new LNG-fuelled PCTC (pure car and truck carrier) built for NYK Line named Sakura Leader.
The vessel was built by Shin Kurushima Dockyard and becomes the first ship in ClassNK’s registry to hold a ‘DSS’ notation.
ClassNK published its ‘Guidelines for Digital Smart Ship’ document in August 2020, stipulating the procedures for the issuance of class notations for ships with advanced digital technology, as part of the society’s new Innovation Endorsement initiative to certify the use of new digital technologies on board.
The vessel is the first LNG-fuelled PCTC built in Japan and was delivered on 28 October 2020. The vessel was verified as meeting DSS requirements in the areas of energy efficiency analysis, machinery monitoring, and onboard data processing and transmission to shore, in accordance with the ClassNK guidelines.
“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, ClassNK.
“I would like to (thank) NYK and Shin Kurushima Dockyard for its cooperation, enabling us to swiftly and smoothly carry out the verification. Granting this notation will be a milestone for our initiative facilitating advanced technology and a remarkable model of our upcoming certification process.”
