World Headquarters News

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-leading, fiber optic, sensor-based approach for structural health assessment and prediction, calibrated and verified using high-fidelity data for improved accuracy and reliability.The system provides information about the stresses on a vessel’s hull from cargo loading…

The world's first IMO Type B very large ethane carrier (VLEC), the Pacific Ineos Belstaff, has been launched at Jiangnan Shipyard in China.The first of an order of four of the largest VLECs ever commissioned, the ABS-Classed 99,000 cbm dual-fuel vessel is designed for long haul ethane transportation but can also handle other liquified gas cargoes such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and ethylene.As a tradition, Jiangnan always gives a nickname to a newly developed ship. Jiangnan has assigned this novel VLEC as Bluebonnet, the state flower of Texas, the home state of ABS’ world headquarters.

A Pair of 99,000cbm VLECs Now Under ConstructionTwo of the largest VLECs ever ordered are now under construction to ABS class at Jiangnan Shipyard following a successful joint development effort.The two 99,000cbm dual fuel B-Tank VLECs ordered by Pacific Gas are the world’s largest VLEC vessel type. Designed to be efficient and more environmentally friendly, the vessels feature the Type B Cargo Containment System “BrilliancE” developed by Jiangnan.As a tradition, Jiangnan always give a nickname to a newly developed ship. Jiangnan has assigned this novel VLEC as “Bluebonnet”, the state flower of Texas, the home state of ABS World Headquarters.Jiangnan’s design is the product of deep engagement between engineers at Jiangnan and ABS during the conceptual stage…

ABS has broken ground on its new global headquarters. Anchoring the CityPlace 2 development, the new headquarters will be located near the intersection of I-45 and the Grand Parkway in the Houston area. “This is an important milestone in our 155-year-young history and reaffirms our commitment to Houston,” said ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. The new world headquarters will be a 10-story, 326,800-sq-ft building that will house employees from ABS and its affiliated companies. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2018.

Fifty years ago, OMEGA Engineering, Inc. was a small privately held company that was woman owned and operated. Today it's a global manufacturer and supplier of process measurement and control products, operating out of brand new world headquarters. The move to the high-tech facility in Norwalk, Conn., represents a major transition for the firm, which for five decades had been headquartered in Stamford, Conn. The move coincides with the recent appointment of Joe Vorih as President. These developments are ushering in a new era for the firm—an era that's deeply rooted in OMEGA's history. OMEGA Engineering founder Betty Ruth Hollander, a mother of four children, started the firm at her kitchen table in 1962.

Harley Marine Services received the U.S. Coast Guard's Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Marine Environmental Protection Gold Award. The prestigious award recognizes outstanding achievements in marine environmental protection that go above and beyond compliance with regulatory standards. Recipients of this award embody industry leadership and innovation in marine safety and environmental excellence. Harley Marine Services is a full service maritime company operating with a strategic focus on safety and environmental sustainability. The company has maintained comprehensive Safety and Environmental Management Systems that are structured to incorporate all facets of the operation in order to engage all members of the company.

In a timespan of one month, three types of VSTEP Dynamic Positioning Simulators have been officially certified and accredited by the Nautical Institute and Det Norske Veritas (DNV-GL) certification bodies. The accreditation means the new NAUTIS Dynamic Positioning simulators from VSTEP are fully certified and approved to be used for official DP training courses. The accredited Dynamic Positioning Simulators were based on different DP control types and included both Class A and Class B type DP simulators.

The Port of Cleveland announced that its Cleveland-Europe Express, the dedicated monthly liner service that launched in April, had its best month to date in June. This start-up service doubled its revenues in June when compared to either April or May. “The Port of Cleveland is booming and we are very encouraged by the performance of the new Cleveland-Europe Express service, which is still in its infancy,” said William D. Friedman, president and CEO. “The large increase in volume in June bodes well for the remainder of the year as we continue to offer companies and shippers throughout the interior U.S. The Port’s traditional maritime and development finance services are also seeing increased demand and are forecasted to have a record year.

Portable machining and welding systems company CLIMAX hire Thomas Pesch to further accelerate international growth in the role of Vice President of Global Operations. The move marks CLIMAX’s continued focus on growing its international market capabilities and improving operational efficiencies. Pesch joined the CLIMAX World Headquarters in Newberg, Ore., on December 2, 2013. “We are delighted to welcome Tom to the team,” said CLIMAX President and CEO Geoff Gilmore. “His experience…

ABS, a provider of maritime and offshore classification services, appointed Dr. Richard Korpus as Chief Scientist, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). In the Chief Scientist role, Korpus will support the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and the organization through his focus on developing and applying CFD technology. "We see technology as the road forward," said ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. The creation of this Chief Scientist position is the most recent step in the continuing process of technology investment at ABS.

Newpark Drilling Fluids, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newpark Resources, has opened its new world headquarters and laboratory facility in Katy, Texas. Newpark Drilling Fluids President Bruce Smith joined his executive staff in welcoming employees to their new home. The facility is located on 11 acres along Houston’s I-10 energy corridor just off Mason Road. Newpark’s acclaimed research and development laboratory including field services lab occupies 37,000 square feet of the building’s 106,000 square feet total. The lab features Newpark's state-of-the-art downhole drilling simulator and a full range of world-class analytical capabilities.

Globe Express Services appoints global logistics veteran Chris Slotten as Chief Commercial Officer & Senior Vice-President. Globe Express Services, one of the world’s top 100 global logistics providers with a market presence in over 80 countries, announce that Christopher Slotten will join the company on March 1, 2013 as Senior Vice President (SVP) & Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). In his new role, Mr. Slotten will focus primarily on leading the company’s global growth strategy initiative…

A strategic alliance has been formed between Rigging International (RI) of Alameda, California and the Sarens Group of Belgium. Effective May 31, 2009 Sarens acquired 100% of the shares of RI, which will continue to operate under its present name and current management in the heavy lift rigging and heavy haul transport industry. The alliance allows the Sarens Group entry into the US market and greater reach internationally. Rigging International’s position is similarly strengthened domestically and worldwide. The Sarens Group, with headquarters in Wolvertem, Belgium, has been active in crane rental, and heavy lifting and special projects since 1955. Sarens operates in 25 countries and has more than 2100 employees.

ABS has appointed Diana Diettrich to director, technology integration. engineering. Houston, Texas, as part of the classification society's overall global technology and research efforts. Diettrich joined ABS as a field surveyor in 1981. Since then she has held various U.S. based and international survey assignments before joining the Americas Division Classification staff and later the ABS Corporate Classification staff. Her most recent assignment was Survey Manager within ABS' Corporate Technology Division. Diettrich is a graduate of Texas Maritime Academy with a BS degree in Marine Engineering. She also received an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Master's of Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley.

ExxonMobil Marine Fuels has consolidated its Scandinavian sales and marketing operations in its new European and world headquarters in Leatherhead, U.K. Helen Flattum, who previously was with Esso's marine fuels operation in Norway, will relocate to the U.K., overseeing operations in Scandinavia. Flattum will be part of the company's Europe, Africa and Middle East sales team, headed by Sowmi Krishnamurthy, who previously headed industrial fuels marketing in the Asia-Pacific region for Mobil. ExxonMobil's European team will be joined by Valerie Guillou, who will be responsible for touting fueloil and gasoil throughout the African region.

Vice Admiral James C. Card, recently retired Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has been appointed vice president - Technology at the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). Vice Admiral Card will report to Dr. Donald Liu, senior vice president, and will be based at the ABS Corporate World Headquarters in Houston. He will assume his new duties in early October. Vice Admiral Card holds Master's degrees in naval architecture and in mechanical engineering, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a 1986 graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd an owner and operator of dry bulk carriers and a provider of worldwide seaborne transportation services for dry bulk cargoes, announced that Christopher Georgakis, the company's President and Chief Executive Officer, will be presenting at the Bear Stearns 2007 Global Transportation Conference to be held at the Bear Stearns World Headquarters in New York City on May 9.

Omega Navigation Enterprises, Inc. a provider of global marine transportation services focusing on product tankers, announced that Matthew W. McCleery, a member of its Board of Directors, will be presenting at the Bear Stearns 2007 Global Transportation Conference to be held at the Bear Stearns World Headquarters in New York City on Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at 2:00 P.M. EDT.

ABS confirms that all employees of its New York Executive Office, located on the 91st floor of One World Trade Center, evacuated safely from the building. The office normally staffs 22 people. At the time of tragedy 16 employees were either in the office or in transit to the office. All 16 employees are accounted for. Physical injuries were limited to minor cuts and abrasions. "It is miraculous given the point of impact of the aircraft was immediately above the ABS offices," said ABS Chairman and CEO Frank J. Iarossi. Day to day operations of ABS are unaffected by the loss of the New York office which will temporarily relocate to New Jersey and is expected to reopen on Monday, 17 September .

ABS confirms that all employees of its New York Executive Office, located on the 91st floor of One World Trade Center, evacuated safely from the building. The office normally staffs 22 people. At the time of tragedy 16 employees were either in the office or in transit to the office. All 16 employees are accounted for. Physical injuries were limited to minor cuts and abrasions. "It is miraculous given the point of impact of the aircraft was immediately above the ABS offices," said ABS Chairman and CEO Frank J. Iarossi. Day to day operations of ABS are unaffected by the loss of the New York office which will temporarily relocate to New Jersey and is expected to reopen on September 17 .