Class transfer to DNV: practical insights from yacht professionals

Many owners and managers choose to involve class – or even transfer to a new class society – when they want clearer oversight, stronger technical support, and easier access to reliable documentation. DNV’s digital portal, Veracity, plays a key role in this: it centralizes all vessel documentation in a clear, structured way, giving teams immediate insight into approvals, surveys, and technical records. Combined with proactive support through tools like DATE (Direct Access to Technical Experts) and responsive human interaction whenever personal guidance is needed, this approach offers a level of clarity and partnership that many yacht operators increasingly value. As a result, transferring class to DNV is often seen not just as a compliance decision, but as an investment in smoother operations and better technical assurance. 

Why yacht owners and managers transfer class to DNV

Two experienced captains and yacht managers share their reasons for switching class to DNV, one with an 80-metre expedition yacht, built in the Netherlands, the other a 49-metre Italian-built motor yacht. 

Svilen Vodenicharov, the Fleet Operations Director of Sirius Maritime, went through the recent transfer of class process for the 80-metre. 

Practical benefits of DNV’s approach to class transfer

Vodenicharov described his first real experience with DNV as Chief Build Officer of the 104‑metre Lürssen Quantum Blue, following his previous role as Chief Officer on the 95‑metre Indian Empress. "My initial impression of DNV was highly positive, with their competence, experince, and effective tools standing out. The clarity of their documentation made it easy to set up on‑board safety systems,” he noted, highlighting the practical benefits of DNV’s approach. 

“The second time I worked with the DNV team was during my first tenure as a yacht manager overseeing an Abeking & Rasmussen 68-metre newbuild. DNV was already a pioneer in cybersecurity, and we travelled to Germany for highly constructive discussions on implementing cybersecurity measures. In this field, DNV was leading long before others even began to consider it.” 

Extensive expertise in polar operations

“In 2025, I recommended transferring class to DNV for the 80-metre expedition yacht, drawing on my earlier positive experiences with their team. Convincing the owner was straightforward: besides their deep technical competence, DNV has extensive expertise in polar operations, which was essential given the yacht’s high-latitude itineraries. We were all aligned that DNV was the best fit. I’m ‘old school’, and I value the fact that DNV doesn’t cut corners, you can address any concern openly, work through it constructively, and arrive at a solid solution.” 

Asked how easy the process was and how long it took, Vodenicharov answered: “Easy. They’ve solid protocols in place and genuinely good people. The whole process was smooth, without any issues, and completed within just a few weeks.” 

Two-step digital class transfer with DNV

DNV's Business Development Manager Mark Kruidenier explains the two main steps in the process, once the decision to transfer class has been made: “The first step’s the preparation phase, during which DNV informs the yacht manager of the documentation it would like to receive. With two decades of accelerating digitization, most yachts now carry digital drawings and documentation, which significantly streamlines preperation for a transfer of class.” The previous class society prepares a package to hand over. “The second step is the shipboard visit when the actual transfer of class starts. Periodical surveys or audits could also be planned in to be carried out at this time, although it’s by no means a prerequisite. Transfer of class can be done at any time.”

Simplified surveys and responsive support with one class

A submersible on board the 80-metre was already certified by DNV, before the change of class, and having both vessels under the same classification society will simplify future periodical surveys as well as meaning the captain and managers deal with just one society for questions on both vessels. 

When asked whether there was anything DNV could improve, Vodenicharov said: “No. In fact, the level of support was extensive. I appreciated using DNV’s Veracity platform and attending their seminars or meeting the team at industry events. In terms of responsiveness, the individuals at DNV genuinely care, and that contributes to a consistently smooth experience for my clients.” 

Independent assurance: why a build captain chose DNV for class transfer

Bartek Ciemnoczulowski, presently Build Captain of a 45-metre yacht nearing completion, also experienced a transfer of class to DNV – in this case, of a 49-metre Italian-built motor yacht. 

Ciemnoczulowski had been impressed by the quality of DNV’s class documentation and the audits he encountered while working on a Feadship. When the opportunity arose with the 49-metre yacht, he recommended transferring to DNV to ensure an independent party would act on the owner’s behalf, following a personal recommendation. “After an introduction to DNV’s Business Development Manager, several rounds of discussion took place on the class transfer proposal, and the team ultimately signed a five-year contract, with the terms and financial arrangement proving favourable in comparison with other available options,” he recalls.  

A financially smart and operationally smooth class transfer

The transfer of class in this case was during the completion of warranty work at the shipyard. “DNV took all the digital information from the previous class society, then, within a month, came aboard for the initial survey. It was all very straightforward.” “DNV was financially the best deal for us from all options we considered,” he acknowledged. The trust established through DNV’s survey process proved valuable when the vessel was subsequently sold to a Dutch owner, who appreciated the assurance provided by DNV’s involvement.  

With a class portfolio of approximately 13,000 vessels, DNV’s reputation for responsiveness and efficiency was further reinforced throughout the working relationship. “We also benefitted from DNV’s digital services. The direct access to knowledgeable personnel and the use of services such as DATE contributed to a seamless and straightforward experience following the transfer of class.” 

Best practices for class transfer of in series-production yachts

Asked whether he would transfer class during construction, Ciemnoczulowski explained that for a series-production boat, “it’s better to finish the boat with one society and then transfer afterwards”. This is because the plans have already been approved by the initial classification society and paid for – for the first boat in the series – as part of the build contract. “It’s simple to transfer after delivery. DNV just needs to accept everything that has been approved and, of course, if something isn’t up to their own standards then they find a solution to upgrade and make it acceptable! I’m always willing to work with the DNV team and surveyors.”