American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) News

Aikido's floating wind tech approved by ABS

ABS has stated the maturity of Aikido’s innovative floating wind platform design, the latest stage in new technology qualification. As part of the process, ABS witnessed a successful upending demonstration of the Aikido One unit, a 1:4-scale floating wind platform. The design can accelerate deployment and reduce costs for the rapidly growing offshore wind industry. Collapsed transportation configuration The test exhibited the platform’s ability to quickly deploy from its collapsed...

WinGD's engine NOx reduction gets type approval

The only on-engine NOx reduction solution for marine two-stroke engines, designed by Swiss marine power company WinGD, will be deployed for the first time on commercial engines after securing type approval. The integrated Selective Catalytic Reduction (iSCR) solution was tested at Mitsui E&S DU (MESDU) Co’s factory in Aioi, Japan, where three WinGD 5X52-S2.0 engines are being built for bulk carriers under construction at a Japanese shipyard. Iteration features The type approval foll...

ABS AIP for MODEC and TOYO's ammonia FPSO

A new design for an ammonia floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit that features onboard carbon capture technology for blue ammonia production has received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS. The design comes from MODEC, Inc. (MODEC), in collaboration with Toyo Engineering Corporation (TOYO). ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements. Emissions of offshore operations It is produced by combining hydrogen, which is derived as a byproduct of carbon...

ABS expands services in marine & offshore industry

ABS is investing in the expansion of its services to build on its position and ensure it is well-placed to meet the growing needs of the marine and offshore industries. That was the message for maritime pioneers from across the region at the annual ABS Southeast Asia Regional Committee meeting. “Our safety-driven mission continues to serve us well, and we are building on this strong foundation by investing in widening and deepening the scope of our class services,” said Christo...

ABS approves HD KSOE's hydrogen tank for shipping

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has received ABS approval in principle (AIP) for a tank design that enables large-scale hydrogen transport and storage. Vacuum insulation system HD KSOE's vacuum insulation system is designed to reduce the time required to create a vacuum in large tanks, which is essential for transportation. The new technology allows maintaining a vacuum state at –253℃, which KSOE says enables safer and loss-free transport of large quantities o...

MTF report: Onboard carbon capture in shipping

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has released a new report offering key recommendations to consider as the industry looks to adopt onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) technology. The report highlights the regulatory and safety considerations for the adoption of onboard carbon capture while also recognising the importance of developing a secure and scalable downstream carbon value chain and increasing carbon capture system cost-effectiveness. Key recommendations Based on the finding...

Offshore wind growth: ABS and Akselos partnership

ABS and Akselos have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance engineering and certification processes for floating offshore wind projects. The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on solutions aimed at optimising design, reducing costs, and improving efficiency for the floating wind sector globally. Akselos' simulation technology The alliance utilises ABS's expertise in offshore credential and type with Akselos' technology The collaborati...

ABS to deliver ISPS Code audits in Italy from 2025

ABS will deliver audits of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) on behalf of the Italian Administration from January 1, 2025, following an agreement signed at Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructures and Transport. ABS statutory activities As a Recognised Organisation of the Italian Administration, ABS will conduct statutory activities, including approval of Ship Security Plans, security verifications, and issuance of Interim International Ship Security Cert...

ABS advances sustainable freight with marine focus

“Many of our sustainable transportation programs and initiatives tend to become mode-centric, but it is critically important to optimise the overall sustainable freight transportation across modes from origin to destination, which requires a system of systems focus.” That was the message to U.S. transportation industry and Government pioneers from ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki at the Sustainable Freight Workshop at the White House. Marine transportation mode Advant...

ABS grants AIP to Hanwha Ocean's FPSO in Africa

ABS has awarded Hanwha Ocean Approval in Principle (AIP) for its Pre-FEED Standard FPSO Design intended to create an asset optimised for deployment in the deep waters of West Africa. The FPSO design is 340 m long and capable of storing approximately 2.38 million barrels of crude oil, with a daily crude oil production capacity of 190,000 barrels. Developed to accommodate topsides for crude oil and or gas production facilities, the hull is designed to operate for up to 20 years without the need f...

ABS Wavesight empowers UNI-FLEET with Nautical Systems

ABS Wavesight™, the ABS-affiliated Software-as-a-Service company, is pleased to announce that UNI-FLEET SDN BHD, a specialised shipping company operating tanker vessels primarily focused on the transportation of ammonia across Asia, has chosen to implement Nautical Systems (NS) Maintenance Manager and Purchasing Manager modules to revolutionise their maintenance and inventory processes. Integration of NS Maintenance “We’re excited for the opportunity to support UNI-FLEET with...

ABS unveils new offshore rules for 2025

ABS has introduced new Rules for Building and Classing Offshore Units (Offshore Rules) that bring multiple rule sets into a single, unified document with risk-based approaches for verifying new technologies along with easier navigation to support clients. The forward-looking initiative is part of a multi-year collaboration with industry, shipyards, owners, equipment manufacturers, designers and regulators to support the fast-moving technology advancements and innovations driven by digitali...

ABS & KOMERI boost marine tech research collaboration

ABS and the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI) signed an agreement at Offshore Korea that establishes a framework for strengthening technology research and development in the shipbuilding and marine industries. The two organisations will cooperate in the use of research facilities and equipment, as well as testing and certification. Further, they plan to provide mutual information exchanges and professional education through seminars, workshops and other network-building events....

ABS leads in maritime safety & emerging technologies

“Safety is more than just compliance. It is now synonymous with security, reliability, collective relationships and people. Safety is also becoming systems-based rather than rooted in prescriptive rules or specific component procedures." "Only by embracing a proactive, systems-oriented approach to safety, can the maritime industry navigate the path to a decarbonised future while ensuring the well-being of its seafarers and the protection of the marine environment.”  ABS-classe...

Offshore sector embraces ABS Wavesight eLogbooks

ABS Wavesight has partnered with Noble Corporation, an offshore drilling contractor, to revolutionise its recordkeeping practices by adopting ABS Wavesight eLogs™ electronic logbooks on its entire fleet of offshore assets. This collaboration marks a major milestone for the offshore adoption of ABS Wavesight eLogs, a secure digital solution that succeeds paper logbooks, bringing a new dimension to compliance management in the maritime and offshore sectors. ABS Wavesight eLogs ABS Wavesig...

ABS marine market trends and safety innovations

Maritime industry pioneers from the U.S. and Canada traveled to ABS’ World Headquarters to discuss the latest marine market trends in emerging ammonia, hydrogen, and carbon economies, offshore renewables, and nuclear energy. Cutting-edge academic research, technology, and sustainability initiatives were also highlighted at the annual ABS North America Regional Committee. Safety and high performance "We believe there is a high correlation between organisations who embrace safety and high...

ABS explores HTGR reactors for LNG carriers

ABS released its latest report into the potential of advanced nuclear technology for maritime applications, with a study of a small modular reactor on a standard liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier. Feasibility and safety The transformational impact of a high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) on the design, operation, and emissions of a 145,000 m3 LNG carrier design was modeled by ABS and Herbert Engineering Corporation (HEC). The study is designed to help the industry better understand...

ABS hosts US Maritime Strategy Workshop

ABS helped bring together industry and government pioneers for a U.S. Maritime Strategy Workshop to help stakeholders align on key policy and commercial priorities. This was the third in a series of workshops organised to inform a U.S. national maritime strategy and was done in collaboration with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), the Office of Senator Mark Kelly, and the Office of U.S. Representative Michael Waltz. Challenges and recommendations The U.S. maritime industry faces seve...

ABS ammonia safety evaluation with Hanwha Ocean

ABS has completed an industry-renowned safety evaluation of ammonia dispersion on board an ammonia-fuelled gas turbine LNG carrier design from Hanwha Ocean. ABS, in collaboration with Hanwha Ocean, conducted computational fluid dynamics simulations that modelled different ammonia release scenarios due to accidental leakages from the engine room, the pipeline and the bunkering stations on deck. The study is one of the most comprehensive in the industry, using multiple ammonia release scenarios....

ABS digital twin solution for Petrobras FPSO

ABS has secured a contract to provide and test a digital twin solution for real-time condition monitoring for a Petrobras floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit. The ABS solution will provide a digital twin of the asset, and as part of the project, ABS has selected Akselos S.A. to deploy the Akselos Structural Performance Management software that will be evaluated over the course of a year by monitoring one of the four FPSO units in the Cessão Onerosa oil field. Life ex...

MARAD selects ABS to establish the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation

The United States Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Office of Environment and Innovation has selected ABS to establish and maintain the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation (Center) under a five-year cooperative agreement. Decarbonisation and digitalisation Authorised by the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation is intended to support the adoption of clean energy on U.S. vessels through a wide-ranging program of research and development and training support. ABS Chairman...

Floating nuclear power plant rules by ABS unveiled

The industry’s first comprehensive rules for floating nuclear power plants have been unveiled by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) at a forum for nuclear industry pioneers held jointly with Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Held at ABS’ world headquarters in Texas, the event saw presentations on the latest reactor technologies from companies and the publication of a detailed study from ABS and Herbert Engineering modeling the design, operation, and emissions of a floating nuclear...

ABS certifies Samsung's ammonia floating unit

ABS presented an approval in principle (AIP) to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for its new design of an ammonia floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit. Called Samsung Ammonia Blue, the concept features advanced safety components with an expected production capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per annum of ammonia. Class and statutory requirements ABS completed design reviews on the topside process, interface system and layout based on class and statutory requirements. “With o...

ABS supports LCO2 carrier with Type-C cargo tanks

ABS issued an approval in principle (AIP) to pioneering Japanese companies at Gastech 2024 for two liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier designs with Type-C cargo tanks that do not require performing post-weld-heat-treatment based on the demonstration of an engineering critical assessment (ECA). ABS reviewed the drawings based on class and statutory requirements for the two designs, a 50K cubic metre carrier and a 23K cubic metre carrier, featuring Type-C cylindrical tanks made of carbon ma...

ABS and Hanwha Ocean innovate sustainable offshore solutions

ABS and Hanwha Ocean Co., LTD, have agreed to explore cutting-edge technology projects together with the signing of an Offshore Technology Collaboration Agreement (OTCA) at Gastech 2024. The agreement is the foundation for collaboration on a succession of state-of-the-art projects leveraging each company’s core competencies under three broad themes: sustainability, digitalisation and artificial intelligence and operational technology cybersecurity. Clean energy solutions The agreement a...

ABS approves Nikkiso ammonia fuel system for retrofitting

An ammonia fuel supply system that can be retrofitted to existing vessels or installed on new builds has earned approval in principle (AIP) from ABS. The ammonia fuel supply system from Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases, part of Nikkiso Co., Ltd.’s Industrial Division, features high-efficiency pumps and an integrated fuel management system. ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements. New fuel supply system “The ability to retrofit is significa...

ABS approves HD Hyundai's AI safety for ammonia ships

At Gastech 2024, ABS awarded approval in principle for two new autonomous technologies from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). Unmanned Ammonia Engine Room for Ammonia-Fueled Ship Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Package for Unmanned Engine Room for Ammonia-Fueled Ship Autonomous navigation technology AIPs are the culmination of a joint development project, part of a wide MOU between ABS and HD Hyundai The AIPs are t...

ABS approves Wison's 268m FLNG facility design

A new design for a 268-metre floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility from Wison New Energies received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS. The unit is designed to perform offshore and at-shore with an expected production capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements. Standardised design and scalability  “ABS offers world-class engineering services and is proud to be able to support innovative designs...

IMODCO and ABS to enhance safe ammonia transfers

Representatives from ABS and IMODCO Terminals SA, a division of SBM Offshore, met at Gastech 2024 where ABS issued approvals in principle (AIPs) for a range of jetty-less New Energy Terminal concepts to move frequent, large-volume ammonia transfers away from shore. IMODCO is applying a proven jetty-less system for moving crude oil to support the supply chain for new fuels such as ammonia. Mitigating ammonia leaks ABS reviewed the designs for IMODCO’s Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) b...

Liquefied CO2 carrier design by HMD approved by ABS

ABS granted approval in principle (AIP) to HD Hyundai Mipo (HMD) for its design of a liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier. Presented at Gastech 2024, the AIP represented the culmination of a joint development project between ABS and HMD. HMD developed a cargo containment system optimised for a 35,000 cbm LCO2 carrier using new cargo tank materials. ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements for liquefied gas carriers. Development of liquefied CO2 carrier “...

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