Abs Americas News

This is the dawning of the age of AI and Big Data, huge agglomerations of new and transformative energy; almost self-generating, always strengthening and pulling at the reins, seeking to break free and run, a prospect both exciting and terrifying. That image can imply a human is holding the reins. How quaint: these days, AI itself may be holding the reins.In a review of innovation in 2023 – across any industrial or economic sector, not just maritime – AI looms large, a game-changer equivalent to IBM’s programming advances in the 1940s.

Owners of offshore support vessels (OSV) are beginning to examine the possibility of reactivating some of their fleet even as the consistent volatility of oil prices and a healthy stream of ships projected from global shipyards keeps their enthusiasm in check.According to Clarksons, demand for the versatile ships, which support offshore exploration and production activities around the world, edged up 3% in 2018, with marginally higher day rates tempting some units out of lay-up.Most of the idle OSV fleet is unlikely to become active this year…

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.

Harvest, an ABS-classed articulated tug barge (ATB) purpose-built to transport liquefied anhydrous ammonia, has been delivered to a subsidiary of Savage Companies by U.S. shipbuilder Vigor. Harvest is the first complex liquefied ammonia transport barge built in the U.S. since 1982. “The delivery of this ATB represents a landmark achievement for all of the project stakeholders as well as the U.S. shipbuilding industry,” said ABS Americas Division President Jamie Smith. “The first-of-its-kind in over three decades, the Harvest will help reshape the U.S. fleet and support safer trading in U.S.

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.

Seattle based Foss Maritime, owner and operator of a fleet of tugs offering maritime transportation and logistics services, has awarded a contract to classification society ABS to support compliance with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Subchapter M requirements. The contract positions ABS as Foss’ Third Party Organization (TPO), providing a complete suite of Subchapter M services, including TPO surveys, International Safety Management (ISM) compliance, Load Line compliance and audits of its Responsible Carrier Program (RCP).

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, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, has expanded its Type Approval product certification process to allow original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to meet compliance with 46 CFR Subchapter M Regulations. “As the inland maritime industry begins preparing for Subchapter M compliance, owners and yards are looking for easy ways to find equipment that meets Subchapter M requirements,” says ABS Americas Division President Jamie Smith.

ABS said it has been awarded a Third Party Organization contract by Blessey Marine Services, Inc., owner and operator of a fleet of inland towing vessels and tank barges, to support compliance with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Subchapter M requirements. “Owners and operators are evaluating multiple options for Subchapter M compliance, and they are looking for guidance in understanding the requirements in relation to the unique needs of their vessels,” says ABS Americas Division President Jamie Smith.

Conrad Shipyard held the Keel Laying Ceremony for the four Damen Stan 3711 Kāpena Class tugs now under construction for Young Brothers, Limited of Hawaii. On hand for the ceremony was Glenn Hong, President of Young Brothers, Ltd; Jonathan Parrott, President of Foss Marine, Young Brothers’ sister company; and, Tim Engle and Mark Tabbutt with Saltchuk, the parent company of both. Also attending and delivering remarks was Kommer Damen, Chairman and CEO of Damen Shipyard, and Jim Watson, President of ABS Americas. A number of local officials were also present, including Morgan City Mayor Frank P. Grizzaffi III, Port Director Mac Wade and Councilman Lou Tamporello. Dan Conrad, Senior Vice President Conrad Shipyard served as moderator.

Arthur E. Imperatore, Founder and President of New York Waterways; Captain Donald Marcus, International President of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots; and Christopher Wiernicki, Chairman, President and CEO of the American Bureau of Shipping, were recipients of the maritime industry's most prestigious Admiral of the Ocean Sea awards presented at the 47th annual United Seamen's Service gala industry dinner and dance October 28, 2016. The event was held at the at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City. Recognition was also given to American seafarers for specific acts of bravery and heroism while at sea. (See separate news release).

ABS has been approved by the American Waterways Operators (AWO) to carry out audits of its Responsible Carrier Program (RCP), a safety management system for tugboat, towboat and barge companies, requiring AWO member companies to undergo periodic management and vessel audits conducted by an independent third party. Towing vessel operators serving the inland waterways, coasts and harbors are looking closely at their fleets to determine the best way to meet the new U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter M regulations establishing vessel safety and inspection requirements.

[Press Release] ABS announced the publication of the ABS Guide for Building and Classing Subchapter M Towing Vessels. The Guide is designed to aid domestic owners comply with new U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) requirements governing towing vessels that operate in U.S. inland waterways. “As a trusted advisor to industry, ABS stays at the forefront of changing regulatory requirements so we can offer the best guidance to our clients and other industry stakeholders,” says ABS Americas Division President James Watson. The new Guide addresses requirements for lifesaving appliances, fire protection, machinery, piping, electrical, structure and stability/load line.

The United Seamen's Service (USS) 2016 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) will be presented to Arthur E. Imperatore, Founder and President of New York Waterways; Donald Marcus, President of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots; and Christopher Wiernicki, Chairman and CEO of American Bureau of Shipping. The maritime industry's most prestigious awards will be presented at the 47th annual gala industry dinner and dance at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City, on October 28, 2016. Recognition will also be given to American seafarers for specific acts of bravery and heroism while at sea. General Kenneth Wykle…

ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the global marine and offshore industries, announces the realignment of its Americas Division operations to create two new regions – Canada and Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. This realignment strengthens localized leadership to help ABS members and clients take advantage of expanding opportunities. “ABS recognizes that the expansion of the Panama Canal, increased Arctic operations and growth in LNG markets present pivotal opportunities for our members and clients, and we are proactively realigning operations to strengthen our world-class service delivery to support them,” says ABS Americas President and COO James Watson. “Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean are areas of tremendous potential.

The perennial “Year of Subchapter M” has been kicked forward again, this time to February 2016. That means that the clock is now ticking loudly for those towing operations that have yet to climb onboard the safety train. Quality operators see standardized safety practices as a way of leveling the playing field, integral to maintaining the health and profitability of their fleets, and key to winning business from quality customers. Subchapter M will be a phased-in over a period of years. It’s not as much time as you think.

Proactive effort shows commitment to safety and environmental protection. ABS, a provider of maritime shipping and offshore classification services, has been selected by Kirby Corporation to provide classification and International Safety Management certification for 11 push boats. Under the requirements proposed, but not yet enacted, by the United States Coast Guard, towing vessel companies will be required to receive a Certificate of Inspection and comply with a new set of regulations relating to the construction and operations of safety equipment and recordkeeping. The proposed regulation states that adoption of ABS class with ISM certification will show compliance with the new requirements.

U.S. Jeffrey G. Lantz, Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards for the United States Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship is slated to moderate a special session of a panel discussion consisting of a Coast Guard Rear Admiral and shipping industry professionals on critical cyber security issues and concerns for the industry. The session will be held at the Connecticut Maritime Association’s Shipping 2015 Conference in Stamford on March 24 at the Hilton Stamford Hotel, Glen Rooms. According to recent reports published by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA)…

So what’s keeping ship operators awake at night these days? Plenty, it seems. Sluggish recovery from a lingering worldwide recession, unsustainable debt loads, endemic overcapacity in most shipping trades, punishing freight rates, rising costs of fuel and regulatory compliance and a lingering sense that ships are not running as efficiently as they could. The last two topics – reducing fuel costs while complying with emission regulations and improving ship operating efficiency – will take center stage at SHIPPINGInsight 2014, scheduled for Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 in Stamford, Conn.

LNG America announces the selection of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) as the classification society for North America’s first LNG bunker barges, currently being designed by Jensen Maritime. ABS will assist LNG America in working with shipbuilders and regulators in developing these first-of-their-kind barges that meet or exceed all technical and regulatory requirements. “We are pleased to be working with ABS on this important domestic initiative. ABS has watched ship propulsion move from wind to coal, from coal to oil, and now from oil to natural gas.

Entries are now being accepted for the inaugural SHIPPINGInsight Award, to be presented during the SHIPPINGInsight 2014 Fleet Optimization Conference, Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, 2014 in Stamford, Conn. The award will honor a ship operating company and its technology partners for the successful implementation of an innovative technology or initiative that reduced operating costs and improved operating efficiencies. A panel of independent judges, including maritime journalists, academics and third-party experts, will select the winner, and the award will be presented at a gala awards luncheon, Oct. 1. “Results are often derived from collaborative efforts of multiple parties working together to achieve the desired goals,” said SHIPPINGInsight co-director Jim Rhodes. What results were achieved?

The organizers inform that entries are now being accepted for the inaugural SHIPPINGInsight Award, to be presented during the SHIPPINGInsight 2014 Fleet Optimization Conference, Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, 2014 in Stamford, Conn. The award will honor a ship operating company and its technology partners for the successful implementation of an innovative technology or initiative that reduced operating costs and improved operating efficiencies. A panel of independent judges, including maritime journalists, academics and third-party experts, will select the winner, and the award will be presented at a gala awards luncheon, Oct. 1, 2014. “Results are often derived from collaborative efforts of multiple parties working together to achieve the desired goals…

Maritime industry executives Captain Michael Wilson and Jim Watson are keynote speakers for SHIPPINGInsight 2014, North America’s premier maritime industry technical forum, Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, 2014 in Stamford, Conn., at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel. Wilson, president of Laurin Maritime (Americas) Inc. and chief operating officer of Laurin Maritime, and Watson, president and chief operating officer of ABS Americas, will be the lead speakers at SHIPPINGInsight’s Fleet Optimization Conference & Exhibition on Oct. 1 and 2.