During a ceremony held in Tokyo, Lloyd’s Register was confirmed as the first foreign classification society to be formally authorized 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 Recognized Organization by the Japanese government and is granted delegated responsibility for statutory surveys and permission to issue statutory certificates.
Prior to the authorization of Lloyd’s Register, only ClassNK, the domestic classification society and fellow IACS member, has held such recognition.
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.