American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

“The IMO really has to step up now if we are to deliver on the pace and scale of the change required. A lot of this comes down to the question of how we address the significant price differential between fossil and alternative fuels. The IMO holds the keys to all of this, and the time for action is now. Whether we as an industry can make 2050 rests largely with the IMO and how it performs in the coming months.” That was the message to the industry from ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki speaking at the Capital Link Singapore Maritime Forum. Net zero by 2050 Wiernicki said the present trajectory would see the industry fall well short of its 2050 targets: “The headline is that something is really going to have to bend the curve if we want to make net zero by 2050 a reality, because we are currently way off the pace and scale of change that we will need. Fortunately, our destiny remains in our hands: we are not done yet." "But success will now surely be a function of what the IMO does next. We need clarity and consistency and a level playing field for the whole industry. Right now, the industry is divided, and there is no clear way forward.” Adoption of alternate fuels IMO to show leadership in supporting the adoption of alternative fuels Wiernicki said the industry is looking to the IMO to show leadership in supporting adoption of alternate fuels, a necessary and key step before new nuclear technology becomes available and appropriately regulated, a function of governments. “We know the bookends. It starts with oil and gas, with LNG and carbon capture. The long term increasingly favours nuclear if we want to make net zero by 2050 a reality. The key question for all of us today is what is going to drive the story in the middle?” he said. Success in the decarbonisation of shipping “The mid game looks like a mix of biofuels, methanol and ammonia, and it is the IMO that is going to have to drive this." "While it is true that success in the decarbonisation of shipping will be a team sport, we will certainly need our captain to play a decisive role. Now is the time for the IMO to show strength and leadership.”

ABS and Pacific International Lines (PIL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Singapore Maritime Week that establishes a framework to collaborate on projects related to maritime technology, sustainability and safety management systems. “To make meaningful progress in this era of rapid change, we need strategic industry collaborations like this one with PIL. We look forward to capitalising on our unique strengths and capabilities in maritime compliance and cutting-edge technologies to advance safety, emissions reduction and operational efficiency,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO. PIL’s vessel construction As part of the overall strategic partnership, the MOU allows ABS and PIL to exchange technical knowledge and jointly explore innovative maritime technologies. The ABS Technology and Singapore Innovation Research Centre will provide modelling and simulation to support PIL’s new vessel constructions and existing vessel retrofits. ABS Sustainability specialists will work with PIL to develop an energy-efficiency strategy, including techno-economic studies, and the implementation of practical decarbonisation measures that enhance environmental performance. ABS Port State Control improvement ABS provides guidance for Port State Control improvement and aligning safety standards Safety is another key focus area of the agreement, with ABS providing guidance for Port State Control improvement and aligning safety standards with global best practices. Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL, said: “This MOU reinforces our commitment and supports our plans to future-proof our fleet. Partnering with ABS allows us to leverage world-class expertise to drive innovation, advance decarbonisation, and enhance safety management. This long-term collaboration is a testament to our dedication to driving progress, ensuring that we stay ahead of regulatory changes while maintaining operational excellence and environmental responsibility.” Maritime and decarbonisation technologies The MOU will enable PIL to advance the resilience and competitiveness of its fleet by exploring innovative solutions, fostering technical knowledge exchange, and assessing emerging maritime and decarbonisation technologies. PIL has recently taken delivery of four new state-of-the-art vessels and has another 14 on order that can benefit from this partnership. ABS is guiding the industry with pioneering research and insights to support technology advancement in the marine and offshore industries.

ABS and Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI) have successfully completed a landmark collaboration advancing the development of fully autonomous vessels. The Action Planning and Execution System (APExS-auto) maritime autonomy framework from MTI received approval in principle from ABS. The project utilised the System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) method, an innovative hazard analysis technique. System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) method “ABS is leading the industry in forward-thinking approaches to support our clients. The STPA technique is useful for autonomous vessel applications and for complex systems such as those installed on board fully electric vessels and other highly sophisticated ship types,” said Gareth Burton, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Engineering. “MTI have established a framework for lifecycle management of autonomous navigation systems. The framework is crafted to be flexible, adapting to any necessary operational and design changes. This approval from ABS provides a solid basis for future installations,” said Hideyuki Ando, Director of MTI. APExS-auto operational framework The APExS-auto operational framework for fully autonomous vessels was developed by MTI The APExS-auto operational framework for fully autonomous vessels was developed by MTI, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha and Japan Marine Science Inc. as part of the pioneering MEGURI 2040 fully autonomous ship program. ABS evaluated the APExS-auto framework in accordance with the ABS Requirements for Autonomous and Remote-Control Functions. Partnership between ABS and MTI The collaboration between ABS and MTI arrives at a crucial juncture as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) progresses with the development of regulations for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). As the maritime industry increasingly integrates advanced systems in the design of autonomous functions, the successful application of STPA within the APExS-auto framework marks a significant advancement in realizing the potential of autonomous shipping. ABS’ advanced remote-control and autonomous technology ABS is collaborating with the industry, government regulators and stakeholders in the design and implementation of the world’s most advanced remote-control and autonomous technology.