ClassNK and TÜV Rheinland Sign Partnership Agreement

15 September, 2015 – ClassNK and TÜV Rheinland Group have concluded a worldwide partnership agreement to expand their testing and certification services portfolio and better serve their clients.

ClassNK, a leading non-profit classification society, has extensive experience in certifying materials and equipment for maritime use, while TÜV Rheinland is a world-renowned product testing and certification body. Both certification bodies operate globally, close to their clients.

Advances in technology and economic growth mean that more and more materials and equipment are being designed for both on-shore and maritime installations. Manufacturers of this dual-use equipment face lengthy and costly testing and certification processes before their products can be placed on the market.

ClassNK and TÜV Rheinland will now combine their know-how and experience to provide one-stop testing and certification to clients of materials and equipment used on board ships and on shore to reduce the double burden for manufacturers. This partnership appoints TÜV Rheinland testing laboratories as ClassNK’s partner testing facilities, allowing clients of ClassNK and TÜV Rheinland to contact either partner to obtain the necessary product testing and certifications for on-board and on-shore use.

This isn’t the first time the two parties have joined forces. In 2013, ClassNK and TÜV Rheinland embarked on a partnership to enhance their wind turbine certification services. The agreement facilitated collaboration on type approvals, project approvals, testing facilities, development of measuring methods, and certification of hybrid power generation systems.

“We are proud to collaborate with TÜV Rheinland once again. As the global leader in independent testing, TÜV Rheinland’s expertise is valued worldwide. Through this partnership, clients of both ClassNK and TÜV Rheinland will benefit from the expanded portfolio of certification services and even greater efficiency in compliance,” said ClassNK Executive Vice President Koichi Fujiwara.

TÜV Rheinland’s Executive Vice President Products Prof. h.c. Ralf Wilde said “We are very excited to announce this global partnership, which will bring significant cost and time saving to our clients seeking testing and certification for either on shore or on board products.”

ClassNK
Established in 1899, ClassNK is a world-leading classification society. As a non-profit, independent organization, its mission is to safeguard life and property at sea whilst protecting the marine environment. It offers a wide range of services that encompass every aspect of ship classification from the development of technical rules and guidelines to the approval of ship designs, and the survey and registration of vessels and installations. Boasting roughly 20% of the world’s merchant fleet on its register and over 130 offices located across 50 nations, ClassNK provides indispensable infrastructure to the maritime industry.
Website: www.classnk.com

TÜV Rheinland Group
TÜV Rheinland is a global leader in independent inspection services, founded more than 140 years ago. The group maintains a presence in 69 countries with 19,300 employees; annual turnover is more than EUR 1.7 billion. The independent experts stand for quality, efficiency and safety for people, technology and the environment in nearly all aspects of life. TÜV Rheinland inspects technical equipment, products and services, oversees projects and helps to shape processes for companies. Its experts train people in a wide range of careers and industries. To this end, TÜV Rheinland employs a global network of approved labs, testing and education centres. Since 2006, TÜV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption.
Website: www.tuv.com