American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) News

ABS awarded approval in principle (AIP) to CLS Wind for its innovative wind turbine assembly system.  The patented elevator-style assembly system promises easier, safer and faster wind turbine and nacelle installation and maintenance, without the use of large cranes and heavy-lift barges or vessels. ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements. “This is an exciting milestone for CLS Wind and domestic renewable energy production. ABS is committed to supportin...

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the United States Coast Guard Research and Development Centre (USCG-RDC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opens the door to collaborative research and development on top-of-mind technologies impacting the maritime industry. ABS and the USCG-RDC each have robust portfolios of maritime innovation projects that will benefit from cooperative efforts in areas of mutual interest. Fuels in the maritime domain Activity under the MOU can include dev...

ABS and the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) are working together to advance commercial small modular reactor (SMR)-powered ships and floating SMR power generation platforms. Technology and framework ABS will provide an analysis of applicable regulatory guidelines and international standards for the design of SMR-powered ships. KRISO will develop core technologies for SMR-powered ships, including conceptual designs for the vessel and propulsion systems as well a...

Seatrium announced that it has awarded the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) a Classification contract for the newbuild floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSO) platforms P-84 and P-85 with the final delivery expected in 2029. These are the first FPSOs to be awarded following ABS and Seatrium’s Technology Collaboration Agreement (TCA), which aims to promote increased decarbonisation, digitalisation and innovation in the offshore industry. Efficient power generation Both...

ABS has issued approval in principle (AIP) to Nantong Pengrui Offshore Technology Co., Ltd and COSCO Shipping Shipyard (Nantong) Co., Ltd. for its novel design of an offshore access gangway. The motion-compensated, active and passive, gangway design offers a solution for the growing demand for efficient access for service operation vessels (SOVs) supporting wind turbines and offshore platforms. ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements. New design from Pengrui &ld...

Demand for ammonia is being transformed by the energy transition. Until recently used as an input for fertiliser and chemical products, new markets for green and blue ammonia are emerging, replacing fossil energy in power generation, steel production and marine fuel. Today some 200m tonnes per annum of ammonia is produced worldwide with 20m tpa transported in LPG carriers. The scale of the emerging and potential demand will see these figures rise; how quickly this can be achieved will determine...

ABS and FibreMax signed a pioneering agreement to collaborate on stiffness-driven mooring tendons for the offshore wind market. The collaboration, which is principally focused on floating offshore wind assets, will see ABS provide qualification of FibreMax’s fibre and small rope testing. ABS will evaluate test methods for accuracy in predicting the parameters needed to perform representative analysis, focusing on stiffness. FibreMax will provide expertise on stiffness, based on its p...

MAN CEON, the digital platform of MAN Energy Solutions, received the ABS Cyber Security Product Design Assessment (PDA) certificate. MAN CEON connects machinery to Amazon Web Services (AWS), the Amazon-based cloud storage platform. The data transmitted is used to provide up-to-date information including the efficiency of components and systems, availability of those systems and real-time monitoring from shore. ABS CyberSafety® Program The PDA is part of the ABS CyberSafety® Program th...

ABS has published a new notation that enables containership operators to load an additional tier of containers on deck with reduced risk of loss due to parametric rolling. CLP-V(PARR) combines the ABS Computer Lashing Program notation with mandatory Parametric Roll guidance to allow operators to optimise stowage and lashing of containers without loss of safety margin. Flexible loading configurations “Optimising container loading is key to efficient vessel operations but also has a found...

As part of a pioneering joint development project (JDP), ABS approved a range of ship repair and retrofit work processes for remote survey at Qatar Shipyard and Technology Solutions. ABS tested, validated, and approved remote survey techniques at Qatar Shipyard and Technology Solutions for several survey tasks, which included rudder clearance inspection; stern tube wear-down inspection; and rudder plug opening inspection. Optimise scheduling The framework established in these activities...

ABS issued an approval in principle (AIP) for a low-pressure, shallow-draft, low carbon footprint 40,000 cbm liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier design for ECOLOG Services Ltd. (ECOLOG). This AIP is the result of extensive cooperation within a joint industry project on the detailed design development, taking into account LCO2 critical characteristics, including operational requirements with respect to low pressure and shallow draft. The design maximises energy integration and minimises greenho...

ABS is supporting the innovative LH2CRAFT project, an ambitious research initiative funded by the European Union with the goal of revolutionising liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage on a massive scale catering to commercial vessels and emerging applications, all while enhancing safety, modularity, scalability and environmental sustainability. Administered by Hydrus Engineering S.A. and Technische Universitat Dresden, the research consortium is comprised of 14 members from nine different countries. AB...

ABS unveiled plans to create a pioneering new ship safety centre in Athens harnessing the power of new immersive training techniques, game-based learning and virtual reality environments for the Greek shipping community. The Hellenic Ship Safety Centre is designed to prepare seafarers to handle a multi-dimensional industry with alternative fuels and emerging technologies, recognising that decarbonisation advances that do not prioritise safety are not sustainable. Range of new skills and compet...

A 50K DWT ammonia-powered tanker design proposal from HD Hyundai Mipo has received an Approval in Principle (AIP) from ABS. The vessel will feature an ammonia engine designed by WinGD and manufactured by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries – Engine & Machinery Division (HHI-EMD), along with its ammonia fuel supply system designed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) and an ammonia boiler designed by Kangrim Heavy Industries. Expertise in alternative fuels ABS completed...

Real-time, data-driven insights supporting regulatory compliance, improving fleet efficiency, reducing operational costs and meeting fleet decarbonisation goals are key benefits of ABS Wavesight My Digital Fleet (MDF) software that were unveiled during Posidonia.  MDF introduces groundbreaking features aimed at empowering maritime operators to optimise performance, improve energy efficiency and streamline compliance with decarbonisation requirements from both the International Maritime Org...

At Posidonia 2024, ABS signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (HD KSOE); HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Co., Ltd. (HHI); and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) to collaborate on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to eliminate ship safety blind spots. Situational awareness The MOU aims to use advanced technologies to increase the situational awareness of seafarers. The techniques could u...

According to the latest ABS research, geopolitical instability, scalability of fuel production and retrofits to existing vessels are key factors impacting the shipping industry’s journey to net zero by 2050. The sixth in an annual series, the 2024 Outlook, Beyond the Horizon, Carbon Neutral Fuel Pathways and Transformational Technologies, investigates carbon-neutral fuel pathways and transformative technologies and features an update of ABS’ long-term energy forecast that explores t...

ABS and representatives from an HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) consortium signed a pioneering joint development agreement (JDP) that paves the way for the onboard manufacture of repair parts. Using a digital library for the design process and 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), the consortium aims to support rapid maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) on sailing merchant vessels focused on metallic materials. Project partners include ABS; HHI; CScam, 3D print...

The first U.S.-flagged Jones Act offshore wind farm service operation vessel (SOV) was christened and launched in a ceremony at the Port of New Orleans. The ABS-classed ECO Edison was engineered and constructed by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) for long-term charter to service offshore wind farms in the northeast United States. EPA Tier 4 emission standards ECO will operate the 80-metre-long vessel, which is capable of housing 70 passengers/wind turbine technicians. The SOV operates...

Complete with over 100 user-requested features, streamlined vessel applications and enhanced user experience, ABS has launched Eagle Unified™, an industry-renowned structural design verification software tool. The launch is the latest in a series of investments in major new engineering capabilities that have been delivered by ABS in recent weeks. LNGC capabilities Eagle Unified™ is a single tool that can support multiple vessel types, with containership Eagle Unified™ is a...

A new feeder fleet of two tugs and two barges dedicated to serving a wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) from Maersk Supply Service (MSS) has been ordered by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) to ABS Class. The innovative system is designed to deliver components to the construction site, allowing the ABS-classed WTIV to remain on location, promising faster wind farm installations. Offshore wind components Designed to serve the U.S. offshore wind market, the novel articulated tug/barge (ATB) co...

ABS, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (HD KSOE), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Co., Ltd. (HHI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the technical feasibility for medium-voltage direct current (MVDC) power systems on ships. The agreement opens the door to collaboration on design assessment, new technology qualification as well as the development of rule guidance to provide clear directives on technical requirements, safety standards, and...

ABS has issued a New Technology Qualification (NTQ) for an innovative ammonia-to-electrical power system from Amogy. The Amogy ammonia-to-electrical power system splits, or 'cracks', liquid ammonia into its base elements of hydrogen and nitrogen, funneling the hydrogen into a fuel cell generating high-performance power. Sustainable, clean energy solution  The technology represents a sustainable, clean energy solution tailored for industries, such as maritime shipping and power generation...

The ABS-classed Liza Unity continues to collect industry firsts by receiving the first REMOTE-CON notation for an FPSO from ABS. The REMOTE-CON notation demonstrates the vessel’s alignment with remote-control functions and signifies that the design and construction of the offshore asset are assessed against and adhere to the ABS Requirements for Autonomous and Remote Control Functions.  Liza Unity The Liza Unity is the second FPSO to be built for ExxonMobil Guyana’s Stabroek...

ABS and Seatrium have enhanced their long-running partnership on cutting-edge marine and technology projects with the signing of a three-year Technology Collaboration Agreement (TCA) at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). State-of-the-art projects Entitled 'Accelerating Decarbonisation and Energy Transition', the agreement is the foundation for further collaboration on a succession of state-of-the-art projects under four broad themes: decarbonisation, electrification, new energies, and d...

ABS awarded approval in principle (AIP) to two critical autonomous functions on a proposed offshore platform in the latest phase of its pioneering collaboration with HD Hyundai Group. The artificial intelligence-based Autonomous Machinery Health Management Function (HiCBM) and the Autonomous Safety Management Function (HiCAMS) both received AIP from ABS at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston. Latest stage in ABS and HD group The certificates are just the latest stage in ABS and HD H...

ABS Wavesight has appointed software and digital technology pioneer - Staci Satterwhite to serve as Chief Operating Officer (COO), a new role for the maritime software as a service (SaaS) affiliate of ABS. Most recently serving as the COO of Khoros, a Vista private equity portfolio company, Staci Satterwhite has extensive and diverse global experience helping develop and transform software and digital solutions. Customer-facing approach “We welcome Staci to ABS Wavesight. Her depth and...

Carras (Hellas) S.A. is taking the next step in its sustainability journey by receiving the ABS Biofuel-1 notation for its Aquataurus Ultramax bulk carrier, the first vessel in the world to qualify. The notation is assigned to vessels that use a biofuel blend of up to and including 30 percent biofuel in compliance with IMO and ABS requirements. Biofuel usage Biofuels are liquid hydrocarbon fuels with similar composition and properties to fuel oil, but they are produced from renewable sou...

With the publication of ABS Methanol Bunkering: Technical and Operational Advisory, ABS is expanding its industry-renowned suite of guidance on methanol as a marine fuel.  A key component of the methanol value chain and the overall scalability of the fuel will be the ability to bunker methanol, either by truck-to-ship, ship-to-ship or land storage tank/terminal-to-ship. The new advisory provides the maritime industry with insight into the challenges of bunkering methanol and strategie...

ABS and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are to collaborate on clean energy development in the maritime domain and decarbonisation of maritime operations, after signing a new memorandum of understanding (MOU). The agreement between the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and ABS is designed to leverage the experience and capabilities from both organisations to support emissions reduction initiatives that benefit the maritime industry. Clean energy initiatives...