Japanese ship classification society NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK) has announced the following changes in its Executive Board of Directors effective 22 March 2012.

Executive Vice President Hiroshige Kitada has retired and two executive officers, Tetsushi Agata and Tetsuya Kinoshita, General Managers of the General Affairs Department and Planning Department respectively, have been promoted to the position of managing director. The composition of the new board is as follows:

New Board

Chairman and President           Mr. Noboru Ueda                 (unchanged)

Executive Vice President           Mr. Toshitomo Matsui          (unchanged)

Executive Vice President           Mr. Shosuke Kakubari        (unchanged)

Executive Vice President           Mr. Koichi Fujiwara            (unchanged)

Executive Vice President           Dr. Takuya Yoneya             (unchanged)

Executive Vice President           Mr. Yasushi Nakamura       (unchanged)

Managing Director                    Mr. Tetsushi Agata              (newly appointed)

Managing Director                    Mr. Tetsuya Kinoshita         (newly appointed)

Dr. Kitada will remain with the Society in the role of Advisor.