The revision of the ISM Code which came into effect on 1 July 2010 made it possible to extend the validity of existing SMC for 5 months by endorsement on it. ClassNK has revised the form of SMC to be issued on or after 1 July 2010 accordingly to include the column of endorsement for part B 13.13 of the ISM Code.
Previously, ClassNK has been issuing short-term SMC valid for 5 months at completion of Renewal audit in the same way at Initial audit or Additional audit. As some of the ships which possess new form SMC are being into the range for renewal, the "Rules for the Audit and Registration of Safety Management Systems" has been revised in order to make it possible to extend the validity of existing SMC for 5 months by the attending auditor's endorsement on it and a new full-term Certificate will be issued within the extended period.
With regard to ships having new form SMC as from 1 December 2011, when the renewal audit is completed within three months before the expiry date of the existing SMC, ClassNK auditor will extend the validity of existing SMC for 5 months by endorsement instead of issuing short-term SMC unless otherwise instructed by the Administration. However when there is any change on the SMC or the renewal audit completed outside of the three months range before the expiry date of the existing SMC, a short-term SMC will be issued as before.
With regard to International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC), ClassNK will apply the same method to ships other than Panama flag, Liberian flag, Japanese flag and so on, as from 1 December 2011, namely ClassNK auditor will extend the validity of existing ISSC for 5 months by endorsement instead of issuing short-term ISSC.
You are kindly requested to inform the persons involved of the Change on the Renewal method of SMC and ISSC.


For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
Safety Management Systems Department, Administration Center, Head Office
Address: 4-7 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2173
Fax: +81-3-5226-2174
E-mail: smd@classnk.or.jp