Governing Body

Akio Usami is General Manager of the Hull Department at Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK). He has more than 30 years of professional experience in the classification of liquefied gas carriers, with particular expertise in LNG and LPG shipping, as well as LH2—the most recent addition to marine gas cargoes—together with associated shipbuilding technologies. Since joining ClassNK in 1995, he has been deeply engaged in plan approval, technical development, and regulatory advancement in the liquefied gas field. Of particular note in his career, Mr. Usami was selected as one of the Japanese experts to participate in the IGC Code revision project initiated and coordinated by SIGTTO under the IMO framework.

Launched in 2008 and culminating in 2016, this industry-wide effort brought together specialists from around the world to revamp the International Gas Carrier (IGC) Code. He played a leading role in key discussions that shaped the revised Code, which continues to define the primary design features of liquefied gas carriers we see today. Appointed as General Manager of the Hull Department in 2022, he continues to lead ClassNK’s efforts to advance ship safety, foster innovation, and promote technical excellence in maritime gas shipping.