American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) News

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...

Working together with ABS, McAllister Towing, one of the oldest and largest marine towing and transportation companies in the U.S., has released its inaugural sustainability report, showcasing efforts to reduce its environmental impact and highlight its social and governance performance. ABS specialists worked with McAllister’s team to provide greenhouse gas inventory and sustainability reporting services, calculating the operational carbon intensity and benchmarking the performance of th...

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF), whose founding members include ABS, DNV, Lloyd’s Register, ClassNK, Japan’s Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Norwegian Maritime Authority, and the U.K.’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency, welcomed the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) as an associate member, further strengthening MTF’s collaborative approach to advancing safety and sustainability in the maritime industry. Globa...

ABS is working with Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO), a globally renowned offshore support vessel (OSV) operator with nearly 300 vessels, on its decarbonisation journey with greenhouse gas inventory and sustainability reporting services. ABS specialists have been working with the ECO team since 2022 providing a gap analysis for the ECO Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Framework. This led to a full sustainability reporting project i...

The maritime industry continues to be shaped by extensive uncertainty, influenced by a changing regulatory framework and evolving boundary conditions of safety, fuel availability and scalability and ship-to-port infrastructure. That was the message for members at the annual ABS Advisory Council Meeting on November 14, which included presentations from the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). Range of emerging technolo...

ABS has been honoured with an award from the Coast Guard Foundation at the annual Texas Salutes the Coast Guard event, recognising ABS’ legacy of support and commitment to the service. Low-carbon shipping Accepting the award on behalf of all ABS employees, Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO said: “ABS and the U.S. Coast Guard have a unique, special and significant relationship forged by a common focus on safety, security, protecting the environment and service." &ldquo...

An innovative programme from Seatrium to promote the energy transition and develop next-generation skills in Singapore has selected Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, to be its first Visiting Professor. Seatrium Professorships at the National University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering (NUS CDE) seek to attract top talents from the energy transition and sustainability sectors to Singapore to promote knowledge transfer and support the development of innovative technolo...

ABS and Seatrium Limited (Seatrium) have taken the next step on a pioneering journey to advance the use of smart functions with the assignment of a structural health monitoring notation to a self-elevating drilling unit (SEDU). ADMARINE 686 is the world’s first SEDU to receive the ABS SMART (SHM) Notation, recognising its ability to monitor and analyse the condition of a range of key structural elements, supporting physics-based analysis and simulation for a holistic structural health ass...

The Saildrone Voyager, a 10-metre commercial uncrewed surface vehicle (USV), is the first autonomous asset built to ABS Class using the ABS Requirements for Autonomous and Remote Control Functions. ABS presented the Class certificate to Saildrone at their headquarters in Alameda, California. The Voyager is a marine vehicle developed by Saildrone, a provider of ocean data for climate, mapping and maritime security applications using uncrewed autonomous assets. ABS issued Approval in Principle (A...

The transportation of hydrogen, a key fuel of the energy transition in maritime, is another step closer to supporting projected market demands thanks to newly published industry-pioneering requirements from ABS. The ABS Requirements for Liquefied Hydrogen Carriers address safety and technical standards for vessels carrying liquefied hydrogen, expanding on the corresponding IMO Resolution MSC.420(97) that was adopted in November 2016. ABS publication provides further support on criteria T...

ABS shines a light on the maritime industry’s complex regulatory environment in a major new report summarising the latest global regulatory developments and guidelines, as well as their impact on the maritime industry. From reductions in the carbon intensity of shipping to the use of future fuels and autonomous ship capabilities, the IMO and regional regulators continue to pursue unified regulatory consensus to improve safety, efficiency and technological leadership in the maritime indust...

The Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) Machinery Health Monitoring System (SMHMS) has received the ABS SMART (MHM) Tier 2 approval in principle (AIP) for machinery health monitoring. The system will be integrated into SHI’s proprietary SVESSEL Smart Platform as a condition-based monitoring/maintenance module. SMHMS can support main engines, generators, compressors, pumps and fan bearings with the initial application potentially installed on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier. Adoptio...

More than 75 chief executives of Chinese shipping and shipbuilding companies attended the annual ABS Greater China National Committee to learn more about the future of maritime technologies, sustainability services, market trends, and regulations. ABS is the classification pioneer in the Greater China order book, securing the number one position for new contracts. Committee members heard from ABS President and COO John McDonald, who provided a business report, including how the ABS fleet had gr...

ABS and Sea Forrest Power Solutions Pte Ltd (Sea Forrest), a subsidiary of BH Global, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to drive advancements in cutting-edge maritime electrification technologies. Electric vessels Supported by the new ABS Electrification Center in Singapore, the agreement will cover projects for electric vessels, and shore charging infrastructure along with related industry standards and marine classification requirements. ABS and Sea Forrest also intend to collabora...

ABS is joining Mencast Marine (MMPL), the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) on a project to manufacture and class a 3D-printed propeller. The collaborative project builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by ABS and MMPL that is focused on additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, for critical maritime components. WAAM techniques ABS is committed to supporting these inn...

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...