JULY 5, 2013 — Both of the world's largest classification societies are now involved in the investigation of the June 17 casualty that saw the five year old containership MOL Comfort break into two sections.

The vessel is classed with ClassNK, which has been involved in the investigation since it started. Now Lloyd's Register is also involved.

Yesterday, owner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) said it had appointed "an expert body in vessel design certification and shipbuilding inspection, London-based Lloyd's Register (LR) as a technical consultant to determine the cause of the incident involving the containership MOL Comfort."

MOL said it "will seek LR's counsel about measures to determine the cause and to reinforce the safety of sister vessels through a full cooperation. LR has abundant experience, knowledge, and expertise in approving the design drawings and shipbuilding/post-delivery inspections of many large-size containerships."

Today, ClassNK said that its Casualty Investigation Team, led by EVP Toshitomo Matsui, contines to cooperate with MOL, shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), and government authorities to determine the cause of the casualty.

"As part of the ongoing investigation," said Class NK, "an exhaustive review of the MOL Comfort's design as well as the plan approval process has been completed. This review has verified the results of the plan approval process, and confirmed that the vessel design fully complied with all requirements of the ClassNK Rules and IACS regulations.

"A similar review of the vessel's survey records has also been completed, and confirmed that the Special Survey of the vessel completed on 29 May 2013 was carried out in full compliance with the regulations and guidance for Special Surveys. The review also verified that no abnormalities were observed during the Special Survey and that the vessel was in full compliance with all requirements of the ClassNK Rules and IACS regulations at the time of survey completion."