Abs Provides News

It will take a team effort that spans sectors and even industries to meet the United States’ goal of 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030, writes Greg Lennon, ABS Vice President, Global Offshore Wind.As the United States offshore wind (OSW) industry considers the Biden-Harris Administration’s 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 goal, it’s easy to be struck by the monumental scope of the task ahead. From constructing enough installations before the aggressive deadline to the myriad support vessels needed to achieve these goals…

The American shipbuilding scene, filled with participants constructing all manner of vessels, has been navigating through stormy times (lately, yards along the Gulf Coast have literally been dealing with storms). The orders for newbuild, repair and conversion projects continue to flow in—albeit at a reduced pace—and the boats and ships go down the ways into the water, but the overall panorama has seen tremendous sea changes as the business has shifted.Maritime businesses worldwide have been grappling with currents both internal and external.

American Ethane Company (AEC) is collaborating with ABS, the global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, on a next generation fleet of Ultra Large Ethane Carriers (ULEC).ABS is actively supporting AEC and its shipping project partners, who will build, own and operate a fleet of ULECs to transport 7.2 MTPA of US ethane to China.“ABS is a world leader in the classification of gas carriers and classes the majority of the large ethane carriers built to date, so it is exciting to be working so closely with AEC, which has done so much to advance the industry,” said Patrick Janssens…

ABS, the global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, announced that it is collaborating with South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) on a next generation LNG carrier in a joint development project (JDP) signed today at Gastech 2019.“ABS is a leader in gas carriers with a proud record of supporting innovation, delivering operational efficiencies and advancing the cause of safety. This exciting project with SHI for a state-of-the-art vessel represents the next step in that journey,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President Engineering and Technology.“ABS classed the world’s first LNG carrier and today continues to lead global gas carrier classification…

ABS and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on up to 14 new gas carriers.The agreement covers seven new-build Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLEC) and up to seven new-build Liquefied Natural Gas Carriers (LNGC) designed to carry gas from the U.S. to China and other global markets.ABS will provide plan review, survey, inspection and other classification services for vessels, machinery and equipment as well as assist with managing the requirements for foreign flag carriers calling at U.S.

ABS Launches New Guide for Liquefied Gas Tank Barges with Remote Control and Monitoring of Essential Systems; outlines requirements for design and construction of unmanned barges equipped with various degrees of automation. ABS released guidance to assist shipyards and barge operators:  The Guide for Building and Classing Liquefied Gas Tank Barges with Remote Control and Monitoring of Essential Systems.The Guide provides requirements for the design and construction of barges equipped with various degrees of automation…

ABS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI) to create a new facility dedicated to improving the safety of LNG as fuel.ABS and KOMERI will collaborate on research at the shoreside facility, which will allow shipowners to safely test fuel gas and bunkering systems, under actual loading conditions, prior to installation onboard.“ABS is proud to partner with KOMERI on this important facility, which will help ensure safe and effective testing of new equipment and ultimately advance adoption of LNG…

Industry leaders from across North America met to discuss global challenges facing the maritime sector at the annual ABS North American Regional Committee.The group heard strategies to meet the IMO’s 2020 Sulfur Cap, as well as a look ahead to 2030 when vessel data will play a significant role in compliance management.“Thanks to our deep links with industry across North America, ABS continues to leverage technology to develop new ways of supporting our partners and members. As the leading classification organization in North America, ABS can bring together the diverse expertise of many knowledgeable stakeholders to address the industry’s complex challenges…

ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the global marine and offshore industries, granted Approval in Principle (AIP) for a new very large ethane carrier (VLEC) concept developed by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. “As demand for different types of liquefied gases increases, concepts like this will expand the infrastructure and enable more efficient transportation to get products to market,” says ABS Vice President for Global Gas Solutions Patrick Janssens. The novel VLEC is equipped with a specialized membrane cargo containment system suited to carry liquid gas cargoes such as ethane and propane. Designed with a minimum cargo temperature of -94℃, the concept supports a low cargo boil-off rate.

ABS has granted Approval in Principle (AIP) to Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd., for its LNG Power Vessel. The vessel is designed in accordance with the applicable requirements of ABS Rules and IMO Regulations. “ABS provides the marine industry reliable guidance to enable innovative technology development in support of more efficient operations,” said ABS Vice President for Global Gas Solutions Patrick Janssens. “We chose ABS because of their leadership position in evaluating effective energy storage solutions and extensive experience in gas-related projects,” says Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Vice President Jin Yanzi.

ABS said it was awarded a Third-Party Organization (TPO) contract by Cenac Marine Services, owner and operator of a fleet of inland and offshore vessels, to support compliance with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Subchapter M requirements. The contract establishes ABS as Cenac’s sole TPO, providing oversight of their Internal Survey program and additional support with ABS surveyors when required. “Tugboat owners and operators are urgently seeking and evaluating options for Subchapter M compliance,” said ABS Americas Division President, Jamie Smith.

ABS said it has been awarded a Third Party Organization (TPO) contract by the Cooper Group of Companies to support compliance with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Subchapter M requirements. “ABS anticipated the needs that would surface when the Subchapter M regulations were published and allocated resources to develop a range of solutions,” said ABS Americas Division President, Jamie Smith. The newly signed contract establishes ABS as the exclusive Subchapter M TPO for Cooper Group and its subsidiaries, Crescent Towing, Cooper Marine & Timberlands and Plimsoll Towing.

ABS said it has been awarded a Third Party Organization (TPO) contract by The Great Lakes Towing Company (GLT) to support compliance with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Subchapter M regulations. “Every organization operating towing vessels in U.S. inland waterways will have to comply with Subchapter M,” said ABS Americas Division President Jamie Smith. The recently signed contract with GLT, which is a member of the American Waterways Operators (AWO), establishes ABS as the company’s TPO, providing surveys for its fleet and audits of its Responsible Carrier Program (RCP).

ABS, the leading provider of classification and technical services to the offshore industry, has expanded its subsea services team to deliver specialized validation and verification services for subsea systems, including subsea hardware, flowlines, umbilicals, and risers. These services include design review, inspection of physical components and regulatory services using performance data to support continuous service of new and existing assets. “Offering best-in-class verification and validation services contributes to the safe and reliable operation of subsea systems,” says ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. ABS currently delivers its offering to major operators in the US Gulf of Mexico and is expanding services for key clients globally.

The ABS-classed Ethane Crystal, the world’s first Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC) -- and a Maritime Reporter & Engineering News "Great Ship of 2016" as profiled in the December 2016 edition -- has loaded its first shipment of ethane cargo at Enterprise Products Partner’s Morgan’s Point Terminal. Delivered in November 2016, the Ethane Crystal is the first of six VLECs that will be delivered with ABS Class through 2017. The second vessel, the Ethane Emerald, was delivered in early December 2016.

ABS offers guidance on requirements for early compliance with changing regulations. ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the global marine and offshore industries, has published a new edition of the ABS Guide for the Inventory of Hazardous Materials. The guide provides ABS requirements for reviewing and verifying the initial Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) for newbuilds and existing vessels and defines obligations for maintenance, verification and endorsement for vessels in service.

Global shipping and offshore oil and gas operations are increasingly dependent on integrated networks, based on various software and data transfer solutions. Systems and equipment onboard are interconnected, monitored and controlled through an onboard automation network. Onboard systems are increasingly also connected ashore to the owners’ or technology providers’ control centers. Equipment manufacturers want to remotely upgrade the software of their systems and monitor their use to be able to optimize operations and to scheduled needed maintenance service.

Since its founding in 1862, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), a New York registered not-for-profit corporation, has been committed to setting standards for safety and excellence as one of the world’s leading classification societies. Today, ABS brings together the latest technical solutions and best-in-class services to meet the growing regulatory, safety and environmental stewardship needs of its members and clients. With nearly 4,000 employees operating in 200 offices across 70 countries around the world…

During the recent CMA Shipping 2015 conference in Stamford, Connecticut, ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki provided the conference's keynote address to set the agenda for discussion over the following two days. CMA Shipping is an annual meeting of nearly 1,300 leaders of the maritime industry from around the world, the largest gathering of maritime executives in North America. Wiernicki gave the attendees plenty to consider as he laid out his vision for how the maritime industry must embrace a new generation of technical leadership.

With rising fuel costs and today’s global interest on emission reduction, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is considered a promising alternative fuel for all type of ships. In response to industry’s need for technical guidance for new construction and existing vessel conversion, leading class society ABS announced today the release of its Guide for Propulsion and Auxiliary Systems for Gas Fuelled Ships. The new ABS Guide, considered to be the most comprehensive available to the industry…

With rising fuel costs and today’s global interest on emission reduction, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is considered a promising alternative fuel for all type of ships. In response to industry’s need for technical guidance for new construction and existing vessel conversion, leading class society ABS announced today the release of its Guide for Propulsion and Auxiliary Systems for Gas Fuelled Ships. The new ABS Guide, considered to be the most comprehensive available to the industry…

The use of shoreside power is becoming increasingly popular among ports and terminals seeking to reduce local air pollution emissions. While work to develop internationally-agreed standards for high voltage connections continues, ABS has released a Guide for High Voltage Shore Connection to address key safety concerns as well as design considerations for shipboard installations. “Cold ironing will continue to grow in importance as more ports around the world install facilities to accommodate this alternative source of auxiliary power,” says Yoshi Ozaki, ABS Director of Environmental Technology. Cold ironing is the practice of shutting down a vessel’s generators while in port and using shoreside power to supply electrical loads.

Houston-based GTT North America (GTTNA), U.S. subsidiary of French engineering and technology company Gaztransport & Technigaz SA (GTT), has received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS for the design of a 2,200 cubic meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge. The distinctive design incorporates GTT’s proven membrane Cargo Containment System (CCS), which is utilized in 70% of the global LNG carrier fleet and nearly 90% of LNG carrier projects on order. Leveraging over five decades of LNG storage and maritime transportation experience…