According to the amendments to Part A of the Rules for Survey and Construction of Steel Ships (hereafter, "Rules"), etc., the type of low-flashpoint fuel will be indicated in the class notation. Similarly, for ships carrying liquified gases in bulk subject to Part N of the Rules that use cargo as fuel, the relevant regulation will be amended to indicate the type of fuel in the class notation.

After the amendments are entered into force on or after 1 July 2024, the class notation of the applicable ships will be handled as follows 1. through 3. For your information, notwithstanding the following 1. and 2., the amendments to the Rules may apply to ships other than ships for which the Special Survey is completed on or after 1 July 2024 upon request by the owner. If you request rewriting of a Certificate of Classification without a survey, please submit an application form to the ClassNK Classification Department.

1. For ships using low-flashpoint fuels subject to Part GF of the Rules in service
The class notation "Equipped for Use of Low-flashpoint Fuels" (abbreviated to EQ U LFF) will be changed to "Gas or Low-flashpoint Fuel" (abbreviated to GLF) at the first Special Survey on or after 1 July 2024 and its type of fuel will be indicated as shown in Table 3.1. In addition, if the fuel type is stated in the Descriptive Note, the description will be deleted.
2. For ships carrying liquified gases in bulk subject to Chapter 16, Part N of the Rules, in service
The class notation "Cargo as Fuel" (abbreviated to CF) will be added at the first Special Survey on or after 1 July 2024, and its type of fuel will also be indicated as shown in Table 3.2. In addition, if the ship complies with "Guidelines for Ships using Low-flashpoint Fuels" issued in the past and has the class notation "Gas Fuelled, Dual Fuel Engine" (abbreviated to GF/DF), the notation will be deleted. Also, if the fuel type is stated in the Descriptive Note, the description will be deleted.
3. Submitted application forms for the Classification Survey
On or after 1 July 2024, if the class survey application has already been submitted in accordance with the rules before revision which states class notation "Equipped for Use of Low-flashpoint Fuels" (abbreviated to EQ U LFF), "Gas or Low-flashpoint Fuel" (abbreviated as GLF) will be affixed instead and its type of fuel will also be indicated as shown in Table 3.1. Also, "Cargo as Fuel" (abbreviated to CF) will be affixed and its type of fuel will also be indicated as shown in Table 3.2 to ships carrying liquified gases in bulk subject to Chapter 16, Part N of the Rules. In both cases, it is necessary to change the application form for the Classification Survey, in case the above class notation is not listed in the form.

(To be continued)