National defence interests and requirements define 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, regulatory and seaworthiness support across the entire maritime capability lifecycle.

Backed by DNV's global naval expertise and delivered through specialists based locally, 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 personnel cleared by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) or equivalent, and organisational security arrangements aligned with defence requirements.

Naval Technical Assurance and DNV Class

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 and assurance services with strong safety and engineering governance.
  • Regulatory & seaworthiness support: Specialist support aligned with Defence Seaworthiness Management Systems (DSwMS), Australian Naval Classification Authority (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.

Local defence support

Sovereign capability established in 1990, supporting Defence and commercial shipbuilding across Australia and New Zealand. Provides plan approval for newbuilds, alterations and conversions, including class tailoring for Defence applications.

We provide practical maritime advisory services covering ANCA and regulatory solutions, lifecycle management, technical troubleshooting and incident investigation, as well as tailored skills training to support safer, more effective operations.

Supporting Navy and Defence industry partners across vessel newbuilding, sustainment and maritime solutions, with local expert support on classification, regulatory requirements, ANCA, compliance, assurance and technical services.

Related links

Naval Services

Download the eight pager. Assurance and advisory, addressing specific naval challenges and needs.

Underwater Technology

Download the two pager. Design, construction and operation at maximum safety and reliability.

Naval Design Knowledge Hub

Technology roadmaps applicable for the Dutch Naval Design collaboration effort might also provide guidance for other navies, naval designers and shipbuilders.

Get in touch with our experts

Wolf-Rüdiger von Toll

Wolf-Rüdiger von Toll

Global Business Director, Navy

Denzal John Hargreaves

Denzal John Hargreaves

Vice President & Regional Naval Director - SEA, Pacific & India

Discover our full suite of services for Naval and Governmental vessels