LR first foreign class society authorised by the Japanese government
During a recent ceremony held in Tokyo, Lloyd’s Register was confirmed as the first foreign classification society to be formally authorised by the Japanese government to carry out surveys on ships flying the Japanese flag.
Under Japanese legislation, Lloyd’s Register has been designated as a Recognised Organisation by the Japanese government and is granted delegated responsibility for statutory surveys and permission to issue statutory certificates. Prior to the authorisation of Lloyd’s Register, only ClassNK, the domestic classification society and fellow IACS member, has held such recognition.
Ono, the Director-General of the Maritime Bureau of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), congratulated Lloyd’s Register and expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by both parties to achieve this important outcome. He acknowledged the strong international reputation of Lloyd’s Register and wished the society success in supporting the growth of the Japanese flagged fleet, adding “We expect strong relations between the Japanese government and Lloyd’s Register with open communication and sharing of information.”
Recognition comes at the end of a comprehensive review of Lloyd’s Register’s organisation and operations by the Japanese government and takes place against a background of a government-planned expansion of the Japanese fleet over the next five years.
The process required a formal change of policy by the Japanese government, to ensure Lloyd’s Register would be eligible to receive formal recognition. An extensive process of ‘due diligence’ followed, which included a series of audits of Lloyd’s Register’s offices in Japan and at its London Office to ensure compliance with the Japanese government’s criteria for acceptance.
