APRIL 29, 2012 — Classification society ClassNK has signed an agreement with the Government of Myanmar granting ClassNK authorization to carry out statutory surveys on its behalf. The signing ceremony took place in the Park Royal Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar, on 26 April 2013, with Director General of the Department of Marine Administration Mr. Maung Maung Oo signing on behalf of the Government of Myanmar.

Director General of the Myanmar Department of Marine Administration Mr. Maung Maung Oo (left) and ClassNK Chairman and President Mr. Noboru Ueda (right)

Myanmar (Burma) is one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. ClassNK says many Japanese businesses, including major shipowners, have been expanding into the Myanmar market. As one of the world's main producers of seafarers, Myanmar has become an increasingly important region in the global maritime industry.

Although its human rights record has caused the Government of Myanmar to long come under economic sanctions from both the EU and the U.S. Treasury Department, those sanctions have been significantly eased this year. The EU dropped all its sanctions except those on arms shipments earlier this month and the U.S. announced a limited easing of sanctions on April 21.

ClassNK has been carrying out surveys for Myanmar–flagged vessels for various international conventions since receiving Recognized Organization status from the Government of Myanmar in 1986. This agreement, which is based on the IMO A.739(18) resolution, compiles all previous separate agreements for each convention along with new authorization for other international conventions into one single agreement. The signing of this agreement will allow ClassNK to conduct statutory surveys for Myanmar-flagged vessels for an even wider range of international conventions.

In addition to this agreement, ClassNK also established its first exclusive survey office in Yangon at the beginning of April. With the establishment of this new office, ClassNK can now directly dispatch surveyors throughout the Myanmar region. ClassNK currently operates 122 exclusive survey offices around the world and is authorized to carry out statutory surveys on behalf of over 100 flag administrations.