Abs News

“Shipping has entered a period where complexity is building faster than it can be absorbed," said ABS Chairman and CEO John McDonald at the annual gathering of the ABS Hellenic National Committee. "Costs are rising and decision cycles are shortening. This combination is creating a widening gap between what is technically possible and what is operationally viable at sea. Closing that gap is now central to competitiveness.”McDonald expanded on the organization’s latest announcement…

Methanol has been in the news this week with the announcement by Jumbo of a contract with Dajin Heavy Industry for the construction of two methanol-ready heavy lift vessels and with Sanmar’s announcement that the world's first dual fuel methanol escort and rescue tug has officially been granted full class certification by ABS.Additionally, the container ship Eco Levant, operated by X-Press Feeders, is now operating on a methanol and ethanol mix after a bunkering first in the port of Rotterdam.Perhaps the Port of Long Beach tops the news…

Yiulian Dockyard Hong Kong is open for business following a major facility upgrade and workforce expansion, with on-site digital twin pipe fabrication adopted in cooperation with Irwin Limited.As the only dockyard in China that accepts vessels alongside laden, the yard targets unplanned dockings for vessels working southern China container ports (Hong Kong, Yantian, Shekou, Nansha) and the Pearl River Delta.General Manager Zhong Ying said: “To enter any other dockyard in China, you would be required to discharge your cargo first. In Hong Kong, you can come alongside laden.

ABS announced the release of the ABS Nuclear-Ready Notation, an industry first classification notation for marine and offshore assets designed to support future conversion to nuclear energy.The notation is featured in the latest ABS document, the Guide for Nuclear Ready Applications for Marine and Offshore.The notation offers a practical mechanism to help with preserving long-term flexibility, reducing the risk of major redesign later in an asset's life cycle, and demonstrating that future nuclear conversion has been addressed in accordance with ABS requirements.

Seatrium has received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its NEXTGEN Energy Hub offshore concept.The NEXTGEN Energy Hub is designed to integrate ammonia storage and bunkering, power generation and marine electric vessel charging within a single offshore platform.Seatrium said the concept is intended to support the maritime energy transition by combining infrastructure for cleaner marine fuels, offshore power generation and charging capabilities for electric vessels.The concept is based on Seatrium’s proprietary GraviBED platform…

Sanmar Shipyards has reached a milestone in sustainable maritime innovation as SD AISEMAHT, the world's first dual fuel methanol escort and rescue tug built for KOTUG Canada, has officially been granted full class certification by ABS.Constructed by Sanmar Shipyards and based on the RAsalvor 4400-DFM design developed by Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd., the 44-meter vessel is one of two new-generation tugs that will support Canada's Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP).

The U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation (USCMI), with the Maritime Administration and facilitated by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), convened maritime, energy, and public-sector leaders for its Innovation Café focused on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies for maritime applications, advancing dialogue on next-generation propulsion and energy solutions for the U.S. maritime sector.As Secretariat of USCMI, ABS plays a central role in leading and facilitating industry dialogue to advance maritime innovation.

TDI-Brooks’ multi-use oceanographic research vessel Miss Emma McCall has completed its full-term ABS shipyard period and is heading to the Caribbean region following a reflagging process.The company said it is reflagging the vessel from the United States to Vanuatu to support cost-effective operations in the Caribbean and northern South America region.The vessel is currently transiting to Roatan, Honduras, to complete the reflagging exercise before moving to the Pacific for a geotechnical project off the west coast of Honduras…

ABS issued approval in principle (AIP) to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for its design of a 50-megawatt floating data center.SHI’s design utilizes a standardized shipbuilding process, integrating design, manufacturing, and equipment installation concurrently to optimize efficiency. SHI states that this approach enables shorter lead times and incorporates a proprietary power generation system, thereby minimizing reliance on onshore electricity. ABS completed design reviews based…

ABS and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on a range of initiatives supporting sustainability, digital innovation and operational resilience in the maritime and offshore sectors, with a particular emphasis on accelerating the development of next-generation energy solutions.The scope of cooperation includes offshore wind development, offshore substations, small modular reactors (SMRs), offshore spaceport infrastructure…

With demonstration projects now underway, including a nuclear-powered LNG tanker and an offshore vessel, the debate is shifting from whether nuclear shipping is possible to how it can be delivered. Jan Emblemsvåg, Professor at the Norwegian University of Science & Technology (NTNU)'s Department of Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering in Ålesund, argues that the key barriers are no longer technical, but regulatory, commercial and political.Nuclear propulsion is returning to the…

ABS and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on digital technologies to strengthen safety and performance in shipbuilding.The agreement establishes a framework for the organizations to collaborate on Digital Threads, secure and integrated flows of data, across the entire vessel value chain. Areas of focus will include digital engineering, autonomous vessel systems and integrated cybersecurity tools.The two organizations…

ABS, HD Hyundai and Anduril Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore autonomous maritime capabilities.The MoU establishes a framework for the organizations to enable end-to-end solutions encompassing vessel design, production, autonomy and classification for autonomous surface vessels.The collaboration brings together HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding capabilities with ABS’ classification, certification and assurance leadership and Anduril’s strengths in autonomous…

ABS, through its affiliate ABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting), has announced the acquisition of RMC Global (RMC), a provider of industrial cybersecurity, risk management and resiliency solutions.The acquisition strengthens ABS Consulting’s capabilities and market position, bringing together two organizations with complementary expertise, shared values and a common mission. Combining RMC’s capabilities with ABS Consulting’s scale, technical depth and global resources, unlocks…

ABS and Seatrium Technology and Innovation Pte. Ltd, a technology subsidiary of global offshore, marine and energy engineering solutions specialist Seatrium Limited, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance innovation, regulatory alignment and sustainable technologies across the maritime and offshore energy sectors.The agreement establishes a framework for knowledge exchange and technical collaboration to support Seatrium's technology team, helping to shape the next…

Introduction. Looking back at history one could argue that it was French author Jules Verne in his book “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”, published in 1869, who was speculating about a new power source much in the same out of the box thinking that H.G. Wells employed when he wrote about inter-planetary flight in “War of the World’s. Verne was writing about “electricity” from batteries using seawater which he created after studying the model of the newly developed French Navy submarine “Plongeur” at the Exposition of 1867.In the novel…

ABS has appointed U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral (Retired) Ronald J. Rábago as Senior Vice President of Government Services.“Admiral Rábago brings exceptional government and industry experience that will further enhance the support we provide to our government clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said John McDonald, ABS Chairman and CEO. “His leadership and deep expertise across shipbuilding, acquisition and fleet lifecycle management as well as marine safety, security and…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and its partners have secured approval in principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for the basic design of an unmanned autonomous rocket recovery vessel.The project is being developed with Innovative Space Carrier and TSUNEISHI SOLUTIONS TOKYOBAY.The approval covers the overall offshore recovery system, including the recovery vessel, a support vessel and an onshore control system.MOL said the concept is designed to support offshore rocket…

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Pacific International Lines (PIL) have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on emissions verification linked to alternative marine fuels.The agreement supports PIL’s participation in book and claim registries, aimed at enabling independently verified claims of emissions reductions.Under the arrangement, ABS will act as an independent third-party verifier of PIL’s fuel consumption, transport activity and emissions data.“ABS is committed to helping clients navigate maritime digitalization with clarity and confidence.

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Fleet Robotics have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on autonomous robotic systems for hull cleaning and inspection.The agreement, announced at Singapore Maritime Week, aims to support the deployment of robotic systems for vessel maintenance.“It is an honor to work alongside Fleet Robotics to advance autonomous robotic systems for the industry. This collaboration is about more than innovation, we are working to establish…

ABS, Marinteknik Shipbuilders (S), SeaTech Solutions International (S), and VINSSEN have signed a research collaboration agreement to advance the development of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered harbor craft in Singapore.The consortium will conduct desktop studies covering the feasibility of implementing hydrogen-powered harbor craft in Singapore, including vessel concept design, design evaluation and optimization, techno-economic analysis, risk assessment and mitigation and commercial viability for broader adoption.

Norway’s Light Structures has launched a virtual structural health monitoring system designed to help shipowners comply with classification requirements without the use of onboard sensors.The new system, ARGUS-VM, supports ABS SMART(SHM) Tier 1 notation and provides vessel operators with insights into structural stress and fatigue using digital models and external data sources.The solution combines vessel tracking data and wave models with vessel-specific digital models to estimate structural loads and fatigue trends…

Marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy said the transition to electric-powered workboats is accelerating as a battery-methanol harbor tug completed sea trials ahead of delivery.The Svitzer Balder, built by Türkiye’s Uzmar shipyard, is described by the company as the most powerful electric escort tug, capable of operating in near-open ocean conditions as well as in harbor.The vessel is set to be delivered to the Port of Gothenburg in Sweden, where it is expected to carry out more…