Leading Classification Society ClassNK has certified “SOPass”, developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI), as Innovation Endorsement^*1 for Product & Solutions, under the Society’s certification service for innovative technologies.

In July 2020, to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, the Society launched Innovation Endorsement as a swift certification service in cooperation with technological front runners to establish appropriate evaluation criteria. Among the certification categories, “Product & Solutions” covers digital equipment and software technology installed for use on vessels.

SOPass is a solution service that realizes improved fuel and transport efficiency through an optimized routing feature and BOG (Boil Off Gas) management system for LNG Carriers.

Receiving KHI’s application, ClassNK’s experts verified the functions of SOPass which include provision of optimized routing by integrating weather data with simulation of ship motion, provision of optimized operation for LNG carriers based on the calculation of the amount of BOG, evaluation of plant efficiency and propulsion efficiency including future deterioration prediction, and issued the certificate.

After the launch of Innovation Endorsement in 2020, ClassNK has been receiving many inquiries on the service, and has certified 63 ships with the Digital Smart Ship notation (DSS). For the Product & Solutions category, 2 cases have been certified, and further 21 cases are currently under inspection.