Classification And Technical Services News

ABS, the leading provider of classification and technical services to the global offshore industry, granted Approval in Principle (AIP) to Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. (DSIC) for its Self-Elevating Unit Design (DSLB150), in accordance with the applicable requirements of ABS Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units 2017. The unit also meets IMO Resolution A.1023 (26) “Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, 2009”. “Novel designs that drive efficiency play a key role in the offshore sector, and ABS is working with industry to safely implement these vital advancements,” says ABS Executive Vice President for Global Offshore Ken Richardson.

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, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, was selected by Q-LNG, LLC, to class an Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) for LNG bunkering in North America. The vessel is scheduled to begin construction at VT Halter Marine in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in early 2018. “This project represents another significant milestone for the region in the continued development of LNG infrastructure in North America, helping the maritime industry meet stricter emissions requirements,” says ABS Chairman, President and CEO, Christopher J. Wiernicki. “We chose ABS as our class partner for this project because of their extensive understanding of LNG as fuel and LNG bunkering applications,” says Q-LNG Transport President Chad Verret.

ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, formed a joint venture with Notabene Classification Limited to offer regulatory and technical support services, including key classification services to the upstream oil and gas market in Ghana. “This joint venture is an important milestone and demonstrates our strong commitment to advancing safety in all parts of the globe,” said ABS Executive Vice President, Global Offshore, Kenneth Richardson. The ABS and Notabene Classification Limited joint venture will operate under the name ABS Ghana Upstream Limited. With this joint venture, ABS continues to provide technical, integrity test and inspection services in the upstream oil and gas industry in Ghana as it has since 2010.

ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, issued a managed pressure drilling (MPD) notation to Seadrill’s West Capella ultra-deep water drillship, demonstrating system compliance with the ABS Guide for Classification and Certification of Managed Pressure Drilling Systems (MPD Guide). “As the industry drills in ever more complex and challenging environments it is essential to integrate MPD technology with existing systems – safely – to improve efficiency and effectiveness,” said ABS Executive Vice President, Global Offshore, Kenneth Richardson. “Seadrill is excited to be the first to achieve the ABS MPD Notation.

ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, and GasLog LNG Services (GasLog) have completed a joint development project demonstrating a new approach to evaluating LNG boil-off rate (BOR). GasLog is an international owner, operator and manager of LNG carriers, providing support to international energy companies as part of their LNG logistics chain. “By expanding the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to simulate the LNG BOR in cargo tanks, owners are able to better predict boil-off gas and account for it in future designs and operations of LNG carriers,” says ABS Chief Technology Officer Howard Fireman. LNG boil-off gas is the vapor phase of LNG carried in a cargo tank.

Canadian Department of National Defense selects ABS for classification and certification services for its entire non-combatant fleet. ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, said it has been awarded the Non-Combatant Class Society (NCCS) contract by the Canadian Department of National Defense to provide classification and certification services for the Royal Canadian Navy’s non-combatant vessel fleet. “For many years, ABS has been actively involved with classing naval non-combatant vessels as a commitment to promoting ship safety…

ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, held its annual Hellenic National Committee meeting in Athens, Greece in June. “As the recognized classification leader in Greece, we bring together the best and brightest industry leaders for transparent, robust and engaging conversation related to key industry issues,” said ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. The committee meeting provides a forum for ABS Members…

ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, hosted a Ballast Water Management (BWM) Workshop for ship owners with BWM systems installed onboard their vessels. The full-day session covered a range of issues, including installation, commissioning and operational challenges associated with BWM systems. “This workshop is another example of how ABS serves as a trusted advisor and independent voice, facilitating dialogue and discussions around the most pressing technical and operational challenges…

ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, has successfully implemented the ABS NS Fleet Management Software suite for Hadi Hammad Al Hammam Group, a leading service provider to the oil and gas industry in the Middle East. “The NS software suite is a comprehensive fleet management solution designed to improve data accuracy to inform better decisions in the office,” says ABS Nautical Systems COO Stephen Schwarz. Phase one of the project focused on compliance – integrating the NS Maintenance…

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, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, has published the ABS Guide for Building and Classing LNG Regasification Vessels, outlining guidance for classing LNG regasification vessels. “ABS has developed this industry-leading guidance based on extensive experience with the classification of LNG carriers,” says ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. Floating LNG regasification uses specialized ships, commonly referred to as LNG regasification vessels or Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRU), which offer a flexible and efficient way to deliver LNG to new and expanding markets.

ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, held its annual National and Regional Committee meetings in London, Copenhagen and Hamburg in mid-March. “Our committee meetings provide a platform for transparent, robust and engaging conversation with industry,” says ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. The committee meetings provide a forum for ABS Members, including owners, operators, charterers, and industry representatives from flag administrations…

ABS, the leading provider of classification and technical services to the offshore industry, collaborated with industry experts during its annual Special Committee Meeting held recently to discuss the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs), with the goal of assuring that Rule requirements align with industry needs. “Our leadership position in the offshore sector is based on the ability to provide exceptional guidance and services,” says ABS Executive Vice President of Global Offshore Ken Richardson. More than 50 participants, including delegates from major owners, designers, shipyards and technical representatives from ABS, provided input at the Special Committee Meeting that will be used to refine ABS Rules.

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.

ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, was awarded accreditation by Greece’s National Accreditation Body, the Hellenic Accreditation System (ESYD), to perform assessments for European Union (EU) Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) compliance. “We are proud to be the first class society accredited to perform EU MRV assessments,” says ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. In recent years, greenhouse gas emissions from shipping have come under increased scrutiny at the International Maritime Organization and on regional levels, leading to new emissions requirements. Among these is the EU MRV regulation, EU Regulation 2015/757, for ships traveling to, from and between EU ports.

New Guide provides standards for growing LNG bunkering vessel sector. ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, has published the ABS Guide for LNG Bunkering. This new Guide provides standards for the design, construction and survey of LNG bunkering systems that are on board a vessel. “This industry-leading Guide incorporates our expertise in the safety aspects of LNG storage and handling as well as LNG as fuel,” says ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. As LNG as fuel becomes more widely adopted in the marine industry, the infrastructure will continue to expand. LNG bunkering vessels are a prime example of that supply chain expansion and will provide a viable refueling option around the world.

ABS, provider of classification and technical services to the offshore industry, has published the ABS Guidance Notes on Subsea Pipeline Route Determination. This document, the first of its kind for the offshore industry, presents a method for route determination that combines risk assessment techniques with Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. “ABS looks for opportunities to break new ground by developing safety guidance for the offshore sector,” said ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. Methods for surveying, data collection and interpretation, data assessment, routing techniques and risk assessment are constantly evolving.

ABS, a classification and technical services provider to the offshore and marine industries, has been recognized by the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) as this year’s recipient of the Honorary SMI Collaboration Award. Guest of honor Lucien Wong, Chairman of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, presented the Honorary SMI Collaboration Award to ABS on October 10 at the SMI Forum. The award represents special acknowledgement of the many projects pursued in collaboration with the ABS Singapore Innovation and Research Center (SIRC).

ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the global marine and offshore industries, said it has been awarded a research contract by the Maritime Security Center (MSC) – a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center of Excellence, led by Stevens Institute of Technology – for a two-year research program focused on defining the future of cybersecurity for the maritime industry. Study participants, which include DHS and the Department of Defense, will focus on key areas that will help define future research and guidance.

ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, has updated the ABS Guide for Ballast Water Treatment to support industry in the design and installation of ballast water management solutions that meet both regulatory and operational requirements. “As vessel owners and operators prepare for the implementation of the recently ratified IMO (International Maritime Organization) Ballast Water Management Convention, they need guidance from a trusted advisor like ABS.

ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the global marine and offshore industries, unveiled the first comprehensive cybersecurity certification and optional notations for marine and offshore assets and facilities at the SMM (Shipbuilding, Machinery, Marine) bi-annual international maritime trade fair. Introduced in early 2016, the ABS CyberSafety series is the industry’s first risk-based management program for asset owners to apply best practice approaches to cybersecurity, automated systems safety, data integrity and software verification.

ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the global marine and offshore industries,has confirmed that the ABS-classed Navigator Aurora, the world’s largest ethane/ethylene capable liquefied gas carrier, has been delivered to Navigator Gas by Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, China. The Navigator Aurora is the first of four Navigator Gas ethane/ethylene midsize vessels to be delivered with ABS Class during 2016 and early 2017. It has a cargo carrying capacity in excess of 37,000 cbm and is fitted with dual fuel engines that enable the ship to operate on either diesel fuel or LNG, making it capable of meeting the most stringent current and future air emissions requirements.