American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) News

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...

Strong global growth in all areas, industry-pioneering sustainability projects, development of a diverse talent pipeline and pioneering advances in digital and condition-based technologies were highlighted for members from around the world at the 162nd ABS Annual Members Meeting. Members heard that continued focus on industry fundamentals had propelled the ABS fleet to 289 million gross tons and strengthened its number one position in global new order share at 24.2 percent, holding pioneer...

The Energy Transition at Sea is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for shipping and governments around the world to revitalise national maritime strategies and build the infrastructure and assets needed to achieve net zero. That’s the view of ABS Chairman and Chief Executive - Christopher J. Wiernicki, who is highlighting how maritime decarbonisation is a powerful driver for national maritime strategy, national security, and job creation. Decarbonisation Christopher J. Wiernicki said, &...

While most American ports have decarbonisation plans in place, a new report shows there are significant challenges to advancing emission-reduction projects, including financial constraints, low technology readiness and physical space limitations. Those are some of the key takeaways from a new joint publication between ABS and the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), Port Decarbonisation Survey: Trends and Lessons Learned. Technological breakthroughs The report is based on fee...

ABS has awarded ECOLOG, a mid-stream Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Sequestration (CCUS) service provider, with an industry-first ISM Document of Compliance for the operation of liquified CO2 carriers on behalf of the Bermuda flag administration. ABS audited ECOLOG to verify compliance with the International Safety Management Code. ECOLOG plans to build and own CO2 terminals and a carrier fleet to service the emerging CCUS sector, connecting hard-to-abate emitters with cost-competitive se...

ABS has joined the BlueBARGE Project, a programme funded by the Horizon Europe programme and involving 14 partners from 10 European countries to develop a comprehensive solution for offshore electrical power bunkering. ABS is heading the 36-month, €11 million project and will support the consortium in safety, classification, and regulatory compliance. Cold ironing The BlueBARGE model will look at an offshore supply of electrical power to anchored vessels To limit local pollution and gre...

A universal, global carbon tax on shipping is coming, as alternative blue fuels made with carbon capture emerge as a critical step in the energy transition at sea. That was the message from Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, during an appearance at the CERAWeek energy conference. Intermediate economy “We need to recognise that there is an intermediate step in the energy transition,” he said. “Last year the conversations were focused on going from oil to...

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has released an updated Framework for Assessing Decarbonisation Technologies and Alternative Energy Carriers and a comprehensive assessment on the maturity and readiness of alternative fuel options, expanding the number of evaluated fuels covered since the previous heatmap report issued in November 2022. The assessment applied MTF’s recently updated framework to an expanded set of eight fuels, including fossil LNG, fossil MGO combined with c...

Light Structures’ SENSFIB Hull Stress Monitoring System received the ABS SMART(SHM) Tier 3 Product Design Assessment (PDA) certificate. The SENSFIB Tier 3 Smart Structural Health Monitoring system employs an industry-pioneering, fibre optic, sensor-based approach for structural health assessment and prediction, calibrated and verified using high-fidelity data for improved accuracy and reliability. SENSFIB system Vessels fitted with the SENSFIB system will be eligible to receive the ABS...

ABS sets its sights on the vessels that will support the next step in the path of decarbonisation with its latest publication: Requirements for Liquefied Carbon Dioxide Carriers. This is the first publication available in the maritime industry dedicated to the design, construction, and classification of LCO2 carriers where liquefied CO2 is carried as cargo. Part of a decarbonisation strategy As more industries adopt carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies a...

ABS has inaugurated the ABS Global LNG Academy, a cutting-edge training centre dedicated to using the latest techniques to educate mariners in modern LNG vessel operations. Located in Doha and supported by QatarEnergy, the Academy is a coordinated effort with industry partners, who are working together to make the ABS LNG Academy the global epicentre for LNG-related training and development. Establishing the training centre is also a key part of ABS’ support of Qatar’s National Vis...

Seabound, the UK-based pioneer in carbon capture solutions for the shipping industry, has successfully tested its novel carbon capture technology on a commercial container ship. This development is a much-needed step in accelerating the decarbonisation of the shipping industry. This sector currently contributes to ~3% of global emissions and is considered one of the hardest to abate.  Calcium looping The successful pilot marks a turning point in Seabound's mission to tackle the climate c...

ABS joined Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd., Seatech Solutions International (Seatech), and Shift Clean Energy (Shift), in signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop electric tugboats, part of an initiative to achieve India’s goal of becoming the ‘Global Hub for Green Shipbuilding’ by 2030. The proposed E-VOLT 50 tug aims to reduce carbon emissions, improve operational efficiency, and set new benchmarks for performance and environmental sustainab...

ABS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - Christopher J. Wiernicki expressed the thanks of a grateful industry to IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim at the official gala dinner to mark the transition to his successor, Arsenio Dominguez.  Speaking to more than 250 assembled pioneers of the shipping industry at COP28, Wiernicki detailed Secretary General Lim’s 'glittering legacy of achievement' and honoured their shared commitment to safety. Greenhouse gas strategy One whose impact w...

Lateral Naval Architects received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS for its new design of a methanol-fuelled, 70-metre superyacht. Lateral’s design focuses on reducing carbon emissions by utilising alternative fuels, specifically green methanol. ABS utilised the ABS Requirements for Methanol and Ethanol Fuelled Vessels to review the design and award the AIP. Lateral Naval Architects receives AIP from ABS “ABS is proud to collaborate with forward-looking companies like Lateral N...

“Safety is not merely a box to check but a dynamic force shaping the trajectory of our industry. It acts as both a boundary condition, defining the limits within which we operate, and a catalyst for change, propelling us toward innovative solutions and practices that align with our commitment to a greener future.” That was the message to shipping industry pioneers at COP28 from ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki.  Speaking at the International Chamber of Shippin...

With the increasing demand for environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting in the maritime, offshore and oil and gas industries, many owners and operators are incorporating ESG criteria into their operations. The ABS ESG Blueprint is a new report that builds upon the work ABS is doing to support clients in their sustainability reporting and assurance journeys.  Important ESG elements The report investigates the market and institutional ESG drivers, such as greenho...