American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) News

Maritime industry pioneers came together at the annual ABS Japan National Committee Meeting to discuss the latest developments in technology, sustainability, regulations, and market trends in the shipping industry. ABS President and COO John McDonald provided an update on ABS’ industry-pioneering safety performance and how ABS has secured the number one position in global order book share with a fleet that has grown to 285 million gross tons with more than 11,400 assets. Collaboration is...

Shipping must look beyond its current focus on engine technology and address the widespread disruption introduced by the clean energy transition. That was the keynote message for the industry at SHIPPINGInsight 2023 from Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Hybrid solutions Christopher J. Wiernicki said, “The real action is far beyond the engine. We have just seen MEPC 80 redraw the compliance performance of most alternative fuels by moving from tank-to-wa...

ABS signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work with key stakeholders in Korea to develop and demonstrate a 3D printing system for ocean-going vessels. Using a digital library for the design process, the system aims to support rapid maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) by using 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), to manufacture parts on a vessel while at sea. Approval and certification process ABS joins project partners Ulsan Metropolitan City, Ulsan ICT Promoti...

A novel design for a floating offshore nuclear power barge from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) and KEPCO Engineering and Construction Company, Inc. (KEPCO E&C) received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS. Project collaborators include ABS, HD KSOE, KEPCO E&C, and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR). Representatives from each company met in Washington, D.C., for the AIP presentation. Floating SMR barge The floating small modular r...

“Nuclear energy has moved beyond a wildcard option and into the mainstream of potential solutions for a more sustainable maritime industry. Nuclear energy is not just about the potential for a reactor to operate on a ship. With advanced nuclear technology, the potential is so much more.” That was the message from ABS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Christopher J. Wiernicki, who welcomed nuclear energy experts, government representatives, academia, and senior maritime industry p...

“Nuclear energy has moved beyond a wildcard option and into the mainstream of potential solutions for a more sustainable maritime industry. Nuclear energy is not just about the potential for a reactor to operate on a ship. With advanced nuclear technology, the potential is so much more.” That was the message from ABS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Christopher J. Wiernicki, who welcomed nuclear energy experts, government representatives, academia, and senior maritime industry p...

Crowley and ABS, a pioneering provider in maritime classification and advisory services, have entered an agreement to jointly explore how to advance the use of augmented and virtual reality technologies for vessels and other marine environments. The ABS partnership agreement builds on Crowley’s new service network using augmented reality on select vessels. The crew wears goggle technology to provide real-time visuals of ship equipment to remote technicians to collaborate on soluti...

ABS and Asiatic Lloyd Maritime LLP, a member of the AL Group, have signed a joint development project (JDP) to study the feasibility of converting the fuel system of an ultramax bulk carrier, from conventional diesel to methanol.  The study is focused on a series of up to eight ABS Classed ultramax bulk carriers ordered for construction in the New Hantong Shipyard, China, for AL Group. Author's quote “Converting vessel propulsion systems to take advantage of the decarbonisation pot...

ABS awarded approval in principle (AIP) to Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI) for its cyber resilience systems design. As technologies have expanded, automation systems have become more complex and integrated, and autonomous functions are being introduced, the probabilities of cyber-related incidents have increased. ABS found that the SHI system meets cyber resilience requirements established in the ABS Rules for Building & Classing Marine Vessels and IACS UR E26 C...

ABS joined Maersk and global dignitaries for the official naming ceremony of the first containership ever to sail on green methanol, a Maersk feeder vessel built to ABS Class, the LAURA MAERSK. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, served as the vessel sponsor, christening the LAURA MAERSK, following tradition, with a bottle of champagne. Dual-fuel engine vessels The 32,300-dwt feeder vessel is the first of 19 dual-fuel engine vessels that can sail on green methanol Th...

An offshore hydrogen and ammonia production platform design from the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) has received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS.  The design developed by KRISO produces green hydrogen using electricity generated by a wind farm. Among the features, the design consists of a desalination system that desalinates seawater and turns it into clean water, an electrolysis system that produces hydrogen by electrolysing water, a compression sys...

Reducing the cost of electrolysers and rapid adoption of onboard carbon capture technology is going to be critical if shipping is to reach its net zero carbon emissions target. That was the message for the industry from an inspirational discussion at London International Shipping Week between renowned maritime industry economist - Dr. Martin Stopford and Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO. The pair held a wide-ranging discussion at the Capital Link Forum, exploring key hurdles and...

“There is a significant amount of work to be done between now and 2050 if we hope to hit net zero on carbon emissions. But our research shows it can be done and maps out a pathway for the industry to get there. It connects the macro industry calculus for net zero by 2050 with the micro calculus reality of what is required at the ship level,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki. Keynote address That was the message for the industry from ABS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Christopher...

ABS joined a pioneering joint industry project (JIP) to collaborate on the development of a detailed design of a 40K cbm liquified carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier that meets Class and statutory requirements with Ecolog Services Ltd. (ECOLOG), Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. and Babcock International Liquid Gas Equipment (LGE). The ultimate design will maximise energy integration and minimise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while being cargo versatile and capable of offshore offloading, as in the direct inj...

Carbon capture, energy efficiency, and green fuels are the roadmap to net zero by 2050. That’s the pathway outlined by the 2023 Outlook, Beyond the Horizon: View of the Emerging Value Chains, the latest industry-pioneering research from ABS into shipping’s progress on the green energy transition. Accelerating investment Released at the ABS Sustainability Summit during London International Shipping Week, the report examines in depth the carbon, ammonia, and hydrogen value chains....

ABS is launching a global ABS Electrification Centre to support maritime decarbonisation projects. Comprised of ABS engineers and technical specialists, the centre will support a range of cutting-edge electrification projects for shipowners, shipyards and other stakeholders across the Asia Pacific region and around the world. The centre will also provide support for the electrification of harbour and coastal craft aligned to the initiatives from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore...

At Gastech 2023, ABS signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to review an innovative new design from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for a dual-fuel, very large ammonia carrier (VLAC) for Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd. (EPS). ABS joins project partners EPS, HHI and HHI Engine & Machinery Division, MAN Energy Solutions and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. Demand for gas reduction Fueled by ammonia and liquified natural gas (LNG), the 88K/93K cbm vessel design is expec...

ABS has issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Hanwha Ocean for its design of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier equipped with an ammonia-fuelled gas turbine. ABS also issued an AIP to Hanwha Power Systems for its supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power system. Efficiency improvements are reported as a result of using sCO2 as a working fluid in the turbine. Selective catalytic reduction The LNG carrier can use ammonia and natural gas separately or simultaneously as fuel The 174,000 cb...

ABS issued an approval in principle (AIP) to HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for its ammonia reductant supply system for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) in ammonia-fuelled ships. Representatives from both companies and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) met at Gastech 2023 for the AIP presentation. SCR reductant The system utilises the ammonia carried on board as the SCR reductant to remove NOx fro...

ABS has awarded Approval in Principle (AIP) for Bumi Armada’s pioneering design for a floating carbon storage and injection unit (FCSIU). Bumi Armada’s FCSIU concept is a floating terminal capable of storing and injecting liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) into depleted oil and gas fields or aquifers. This novel concept incorporates the ability to accept LCO2 deliveries in an offshore setting, the flexibility to manage LCO2 at low or medium pressure, the provision of LCO2 buffer storag...

ABS has awarded Jiangnan Shipyard approval in principle (AIP) for its BrilliancE II IMO Type B cryogenic liquefied gas containment system for very large ethane carriers (VLEC). The BrilliancE II advances the original BrilliancE system first seen in the ABS-classed VLEC Pacific Ineos Belstaff, which was launched at Jiangnan Shipyard in 2021. Next-generation design ABS approves Jiangnan Shipyard’s BrilliancE II Liquefied Gas Containment System for VLEC" “We have proudly supported i...

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) has joined the major classification societies to amend its rules relating to the inspection of seawater-lubricated propeller shaft systems. The amendment means that ships with open seawater-lubricated propeller shafts that are built to ClassNK rules are subject to the same 15-year shaft withdrawal inspection periods as oil-lubricated shafts and stern-tubes, subject to monitoring criteria. ClassNK amends rules for seawater-lubricated shafts The announcement brings...

At Gastech 2023, ABS issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Hudong-Zhonghua (HZ) Shipyard for its new, state-of-the-art liquified natural gas (LNG) carrier design, currently the world’s largest with 271,000 cubic metres of cargo tank capacity. Design features The design features flexible dual-fuel propulsion and an air lubrication system for more sustainable operations. The synergy of a more efficient hull and the use of low-carbon fuel in the fuel-efficient engine is expected to trans...

ABS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Hydrogen Industry Association (KHIA) and the University of Ulsan, Foundation for Industry Cooperation (UOUFIC) to develop a small, 40-seat vessel for tourism, equipped with electric propulsion using a 350-kW hydrogen fuel cell. The zero-emission vessel qualifies as one of the research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects associated with Korea’s national hydrogen strategy. Hydrogen vessel project ABS is proud to...

The upstream, midstream, and downstream operations of the LNG value chain are analysed along with the latest trends and innovations in an industry-pioneerng new publication from ABS. Examining the LNG Value Chain explores the intricate production, distribution, transport, and supply systems of the liquefied natural gas industry. LNG value chain “LNG is already playing a pioneering role in the energy transition and is the fuel of choice for many owners ordering vessels making a useful co...

ABS issued Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for its new ammonia-based ship HVAC refrigeration system. Eco-friendly refrigerant HHI developed the system in response to shipowners’ requests for refrigeration of HVAC systems using ammonia, a more eco-friendly refrigerant with a zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a Global Warming Potential of zero per the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE). ABS used...

ABS hosted a containership summit in Germany to provide a holistic overview of the container shipping landscape, the current and developing regulatory framework, as well as strategic decisions in terms of emerging technologies and alternative fuels options that will shape the low-carbon future of container shipping and drive market growth. More ambitious regulations “We expect the IMO to release more ambitious regulations this year to move the industry forward with decarbonisation goals....

ABS brought together maritime industry leaders from the United Kingdom (UK) to discuss the latest advances in sustainability and transformational technologies. Attendees at the UK National Committee Meeting heard how the ABS-classed fleet had grown to 280 million gross tons and secured the number one position in global order-book share. Decarbonisation ABS is leading the maritime industry in decarbonisation and sustainability solutions" “ABS is leading the maritime industry in decarbon...

Classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) awarded Seaspan Corporation and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) in collaboration with Foreship an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of a 15,000 TEU ammonia-powered container vessel. The certificates were presented at the ABS office in Copenhagen on July 25th, 2023. Ammonia: alternative marine fuel Ammonia is a promising alternative marine fuel. However, there are currently no sh...

Algoma Central Corporation (Algoma) has ordered two, methanol-ready, 37,000-DWT, ice-class product tanker vessels to be built to ABS Class. This CAN$127m investment followed an order for two, new, 72,250-DWT, methanol-ready, Kamsarmax-based ocean belt self-unloading vessels that will also be built to ABS Class from Algoma. Algoma’s decarbonisation efforts The new product tankers will be entered on long-term time charters under the Canadian flag, trading primarily from Saint John, New Bru...