By Sylva OBASI
The China Classification Society (CCS), has received the approval of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to commence the classification and survey of vessels registered in Nigeria and operating within Nigerian territorial waters.
The CCS delegation, led by the Africa Managing Director, Engr. Zhang Qingyue, and the West Africa Managing Director, Engr. Wabio, disclosed this in Apapa on Tuesday during a visit to the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) where they were received by the NAMM executives led by its President, Capt Tajudeen Alao.
Speaking during the visit, the CCS team said the approval positions its organization to invest in Nigeria and contribute to the development of the country’s maritime sector.
The China Classification Society, according to the visiting team, was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Beijing, China. It is a professional maritime organization and a full member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).
PLATFORM REPORTERS gathered that as a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China, CCS is the only professional body in China authorized to provide classification services.
According to Engr. Qingyue, CCS provides ship surveying, ship classification, and develops technical rules and standards for shipbuilding, offshore structures and marine products.
Under its statutory survey services, the Society conducts official inspections authorized by more than 60 flag state governments, including China, to ensure compliance with international maritime regulations.
The organization also offers industrial verification services, which include testing, certification, and quality supervision for non-marine sectors such as energy, manufacturing and containers.
Engr. Wabio, the CCS West Africa Managing Director, explained that their role as a classification society begins at the ship design stage.
“Ships are built from a variety of materials with a wide range of equipment. During a ship survey, these materials and equipment are collated, inspected, and surveyed by us,” he said.
Global Presence:
The team noted that CCS operates a worldwide network of over 120 offices across major shipping regions. It is also authorized by the Chinese government to perform statutory surveys for ships and offshore installations flying the Chinese flag.
CCS provides classification services to ships, offshore installations, and related industrial products using world-leading technical codes and standards.
With NIMASA’s approval now secured, CCS says it is ready to commence operations in Nigeria and work with local stakeholders to strengthen safety and compliance in the nation’s maritime industry.
Responding, the NAMM President, Capt Tajudeen Alao noted that CCS has joined some other 10 Classification Societies with authorisation from NIMASA to carry out statutory surveys and certification of Nigerian flagged vessels in Nigerian waters and internationally .
According to Capt Alao, the partnership will widen China presence in the Nigerian Marine and Blue Economy sector.
