ClassNK’s current SEVP Hayato Suga has been appointed as the Japanese classification society’s President and CEO as well as Representative Director of ClassNK, and current Corporate Officer Fumihiko Higashi has been appointed as EVP.
Former President and CEO Hiroaki Sakashita has been appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors, while former Chairman of the Board of Directors Koichi Fujiwara has assumed the position of Advisor to the Society.
Suga said: “The business environment is changing rapidly, with boundaries between industries becoming increasingly blurred due to environmental challenges and digital transformation. In response, our mission is to provide certification and related services in a timely manner to meet these diverse and fast-evolving needs, just like a top sushi chef serves the finest ingredients at the perfect moment. By doing so, we aim to connect industries through trust and contribute to the sound development and sustainable operation of the maritime sector.”
Suga earned his bachelor’s degree in Ocean Engineering from Hiroshima University in 1986 and joined ClassNK the same year. He gained experience in plan approval and on-site surveys and later managed survey activities in Europe and Africa from the London Office. Returning to Japan, he contributed to tanker standards development and was an active member and chairperson of the Tanker Structure Co-operative Forum. He later held key positions such as Director of Plan Approval Division and Director of Planning Division, and was appointed EVPin 2022 and SEVP in 2024.
Image: New ClassNK President and CEO Hayato Suga (source: ClassNK)
