Research helps ClassNK propel it on to a higher growth path
Embarking on a research oriented course, NKClass has earned precious dividends which have helped it build ships which are a class apart. NKClass believes that R & D can be accomplished more effectively and efficiently while responding to customers’ needs by integrating the latest technologies for ensuring safety of ships and protection of the marine environment. To promote research activity in India ClassNK, has initiated several research projects at various institutes in India.
“For us the word ‘Research’ does not mean invention. We want to keep on improving whatever we do. It is essential to know if what one is doing is done in the best way possible,” says A.V. Pradhan, General Manager, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai. “In India our Society is investing into research and we have selected a number of organizations for promoting research in various crucial aspects of shipping.
“At the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, research is being done on our behalf in the ‘Storage ships’ anchored in the North Sea where the weather conditions are very hostile. Two organizations, viz. the Indian Register of Shipping, Mumbai and Cochin University of Science and Technology at Kochi in South India are exploring ways and means for safer recycling of ships. A study into the ‘Interaction of Alumina with ship’s fuel lines’ was another assignment being undertaken for us by the Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies at Lonavala. We have instituted ClassNK Awards for the best project submitted by students of Naval Architecture institutes in India. For instance, the at Cochin University, IIT Chennai. We plan to institute such awards at Andhra University in the Marine Engineering besides the Naval Architecture stream in near future.
One of the breakthrough researches of NKClass that helped to bring down accidents of bulk carriers was in 1990 when it was found that the use of high tensile steel resulted in accidents of ships such as the Prestige. It was noted that the use of thinner gauge high tensile steel sheets resulted in fatigue failure owing to cyclic load and poor maintenance. ClassNK thus integrated changes in material usage and alterations in ship design at shipyards to bring in innovative maintenance measures.
As a result of its pragmatic and assiduous approach throughout its 110 year history, ClassNK has been able to gain an impressive growth. In 1969, NK had classed just under 30 million gross tons of ships, mostly Japanese-flagged vessels. Today the figure exceeds 170 million gross tons with more than 93% of this tonnage flagged internationally.
NK India bagged Classification of 12 Bulk Carriers at a leading Private Shipyard in India, it won another contract for 4 Cement Carriers at the same yard indicating the confidence level the yard has with the Society.