National defence interests and requirements define and control the building and operation of naval vessels, making their assurance fundamentally different from that of commercial ships. While classification remains a key element of the assurance process, naval programmes often require a broader framework that addresses mission-specific risks, capability requirements and sovereign regulatory obligations. 

Dedicated regional hub

To support the evolving needs of defence organisations across Australasia, DNV has established the ANZ Naval Centre to support the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), defence agencies and industry partners. The Centre provides independent technical assurance, naval classification, and regulatory and seaworthiness support across the entire maritime capability lifecycle.

Backed by DNV's global naval expertise and delivered through locally based specialists, the ANZ Naval Centre helps strengthen sovereign capability by supporting safe, compliant and mission-ready fleets. Our team brings decades of experience working with defence organisations, shipbuilders and maritime stakeholders across the Asia-Pacific, with AGSVA (or equivalent) cleared personnel and organisational security arrangements aligned with defence requirements.

Our services

Both DNV Naval Technical Assurance and DNV Class are powerful tools whose preferred use depends on a given navy's own regulatory system and the nature of the vessel in question. You can rely on our combined competence for every type of surface-, subsurface- and governmental vessels.

• Independent Technical Assurance: Independent assurance across design, construction, acceptance, operation and upgrades.
• Naval Classification: Dedicated naval classification services and assurance services with strong safety and engineering governance.
• Regulatory & Seaworthiness Support: Specialist support aligned with Defence Seaworthiness Management Systems (DSwMS), ANCA requirements and broader regulatory frameworks to support compliance.
• Strategic & Technical Advisory: Independent advice on capability development, risk management, cost and schedule performance. 

Supporting the full lifecycle

• Concept & requirements: Pre-contract evaluations, hazard framing, requirements assurance, compliance planning.
• Design & Build: Independent design review, model-based verification, ANCA regulatory interface.
• Testing & Acceptance: Test regime assurance, readiness reviews, certification artifacts.
• Operations & Sustainment: Fleet monitoring, maintenance optimisation, ongoing compliance. 
• Upgrades & Disposal: Modification assurance, obsolescence management, capability transition.