Yamatogawa

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has announced that its VLCC Yamatogawa has become a pioneer in worldwide shipping as the first ABS-classed Japan-flagged vessel. It is not only the first Japan-flagged vessel classed by ABS but also the first such vessel among the vessels classed by all foreign classification societies. K Line has been increasing the number of Japan-flagged vessels it owns or operates in compliance with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism's (MLIT) planned expansion of the country's national-flagged oceangoing fleet. The Yamatogawa was classed with ABS and flew a Panamanian flag when it was completed in December 2006. K Line has achieved a change of its flag to Japan following MLIT's authorization and registration in December 2012 of ABS as a recognized organization to provide statutory certification services to Japan-flagged vessels. Besides ABS, the Japanese government has registered Lloyd's Register of Shipping (LR) and DNV GL as such recognized organization. Source : Kaiji Press News via Justus Schoemaker Dutch - Japanese Maritime Desk K.K