30 June 2026 – ClassNK has added the world’s first notation, ‘a‑EA (CFP) *¹,’ as a new framework to make initiatives related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during ship construction visible, indicating that the carbon footprint (CFP) generated during ship construction has been calculated and undergone a third‑party verification*².
Shipyards, shipowners, and shipping companies can externally demonstrate the environmental value of their vessels as environmentally friendly ships. The notation is prescribed in the ‘Environmental Guidelines (Edition 4.2)’ issued by ClassNK.
Background to the new notation
In response to growing interest in decarbonization efforts by companies, initiatives to measure and disclose GHG emissions across entire supply chains, including Scope 3, are expanding. In the shipping industry, GHG emissions related to the construction of owned vessels are categorized as Scope 3 Category 2 (capital goods), increasing the importance of appropriately assessing and disclosing GHG emissions during ship construction.
However, it is not always easy to obtain detailed data on actual construction processes and materials for emissions during ship construction. Such emissions are often calculated using emission factors or default values, which may not fully reflect efforts such as the use of low‑carbon materials or emission reduction initiatives in the construction process.
Against this background, ClassNK has revised its ‘Environmental Guidelines,’ which prescribe notations for various environmental initiatives, and has added the world’s first notation, ‘a‑EA (CFP),’ indicating that the CFP during ship construction has been calculated and is subject to a third‑party verification.
About the notation ‘a‑EA (CFP)’
By obtaining this notation, it becomes possible to clearly indicate that the CFP generated during ship construction has been calculated and is subject to a third‑party verification by ClassNK.
For shipyards, this enables them to externally demonstrate their efforts, supported by a third‑party verification, to reduce environmental impact during ship construction, including the use of low‑carbon materials and emission reduction measures in construction processes.
For shipowners and shipping companies, they can use emissions data that reflects efforts such as the use of low‑carbon materials and emission reduction measures in construction processes by using CFP data for ship construction that has been subject to a third‑party verification by ClassNK. This is expected to support more accurate Scope 3 emissions disclosure compared with calculations based on general emission factors or default values.
As a third‑party certification body, ClassNK will continue to support environmental initiatives through the development of standards, certification, and the provision of insights.
How to access the Environmental Guidelines (Edition 4.2)
The guidelines are available to download via ‘Guidelines’ of My Page on ClassNK’s website after registration.
*¹ Advanced Environmental Awareness: Carbon Footprint
*² Carbon Footprint (CFP) is the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions expressed in CO₂ equivalents generated throughout the entire life cycle of a product or service, including raw material procurement, manufacturing, transportation, use, and disposal or recycling.
ClassNK conducts a third-party verification in accordance with ISO 14067, an international standard that specifies requirements and guidelines for CFP calculation.
*³ Indirect GHG emissions that occur in the value chain of a company, excluding Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, which are directly generated by the company itself.
