Abs Consulting News

New Routines on the Bridge in the Digital World

Like every sector of cargo and passenger shipping, “digitalization”—where computerized processes are replacing onboard routines previously handled manually— is an ongoing trend coastwise, on the waterways and harbors. Regulatory compliance, especially with Subchapter M for towing vessels, has also driven choices of onboard equipment with digital interfaces to software and online platforms for record-keeping and for generating inputs for forms and documents.Improved performance has also shaped the capabilities of equipment in the wheelhouse and the view from the bridge.

ABSG Consulting, Global Maritime Partner for US Offshore Wind

Operational risk management company ABSG Consulting Inc. and marine offshore and engineering consultancy Global Maritime announced their alliance to support the U.S. offshore wind sector. Global Maritime's U.S. subsidiary, American Global Maritime Inc., and ABS Consulting will offer a service that supports the offshore wind life-cycle from concept design through decommissioning."We are thrilled to be working in collaboration with Global Maritime and employing their extensive track…

Ultrasonic Testing Technology Developed for NASA Comes to Offshore Assets

ABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting) signed an exclusive global licensing agreement to offer an innovative ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT) solution that supports expanded use of composite materials on offshore assets to extend service life.Developed to test the heat shield on the Orion space capsule, this is the first proven nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technology that can successfully scan layered composite material for defects, offering unprecedented visibility into the integrity of these materials.The technology…

American P&I Club, ABS Consulting Partner on Cyber Awareness

Collaboration between risk management and insurance sectors will focus on education, training and guidance to reduce maritime cyber riskABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting), a subsidiary of ABS focused on safety and risk management, and American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club) have joined forces to provide education, training and insurance guidance that address maritime cyber security.As digital transformation in the maritime industry brings both opportunities and new challenges…

New Model Aims to Help Businesses Get Back to Work After COVID-19

A new model aims to help commercial and public organizations resume operations safely as restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic begin to ease.Building on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), ABS Consulting said its Restart Risk Model offers a way for organizations to systematically evaluate the risk of disease transmission to their sites, operations and work areas, and develop a plan…

Coast Guard, Industry Partner on LNG Inspector Training

The Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Natonal Center of Expertise, industry experts provide technical training for future LNG fueled vessel inspectors.The Coast Guard’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise (LGC NCOE) partnered with Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville to coordinate a four-day “LNG as Fuel Workshop” Sept. 17-20, 2018, for future inspectors of LNG fueled vessels, with support from industry experts and the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Center.Together, this team of LNG as fuel specialists provided Coast Guard marine inspectors from across the U.S.

World First: Navigator Aurora Converted to Run on Ethane Fuel

The recent conversion of a slow-speed marine diesel engine to operate on Ethane as a fuel marks a world first.Navigator Gas, in partnership with Charterer Borealis, engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions, cargo system and fuel gas supply system supplier TGE and ABS, has completed the successful conversion of the Navigator Aurora’s main engine from LNG fueling to Ethane fueling, while berthed alongside at Frederikshavn in Denmark.“This is the latest example of how ABS is collaborating…

Great Lakes Towing Announces Two New Hires

The Great Lakes Towing Company has hired two new employees within its Great Lakes marine operations group. Lindsay R. Dew has been named Director of Operations & Compliance, and Mark W. Delventhal has been named Director of Technical Services & Business Development – both reporting to Gregg Thauvette, Vice President – Operations and working in The Company’s Cleveland offices. Dew will assume combined responsibility for all day-to-day operations of the towing business, and work to improve the company’s quality management programs and systems.

ABS Approves Design for GTTNA’s LNG Bunker Barge

GTT North America (GTTNA), the Houston-based subsidiary of French engineering and technology company Gaztransport & Technigaz SA (GTT), received approval in principle from ABS for the design of a 2,200 cu.m. liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge. The design incorporates GTT’s membrane Cargo Containment System (CCS), which is used in 70% of the global LNG carrier fleet and nearly 90% of LNG carrier projects on order. GTT developed the membrane LNG bunker barge to demonstrate the efficient storage of LNG and safe…

ABS Approves GTTNA’s LNG Bunker Barge Design

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…

ABS Consulting Awarded Government BPA

ABSG Consulting Inc. selected for the GSA Performance Management and Continuous Process Improvement (PM/CPI) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). The government-wide vehicle will allow agencies to procure a comprehensive set of services to maximize operational effectiveness, especially in the current uncertain budgetary climate. The services available include Strategic Planning and Performance Management; Strategic Business Analysis; Process and Performance Improvement; Communications and Change Management; and Training, Certification and Recognition. The BPA comes at a time when all government agencies are under extreme pressure to improve their operating efficiencies with minimal impact on mission performance.

ABS Enters Indian Wind Market

ABS Consulting completed its first noise emission test in India for SRC Green Power’s wind turbine in Tirunelveli, India, just southwest of the state capital, Chennai. The noise assessment of the 250 kW wind turbine generator (WTG) was conducted by the company’s IEC 61400-11 accredited subcontractor, WIND-Consult. The test took three days to complete and provided feedback on Noise Emission decibel levels at wind speeds ranging from 6 m/sec to 10 m/sec. This testing qualifies SRC…

ABS to Address Offshore Wind Risk Management

ABS Consulting will present at the Offshore Wind Transport and Lift Workshop in London.on February 26. The presentation will focus on risks which may arise during installation and construction phases of offshore wind farm projects while looking into major practical solutions in challenging offshore wind construction environment. Jale Cairney, Business Development Director, Europe Renewable Energy at ABS Group will address the risk management concept and appropriate risk assessment strategies for offshore wind project specific transportation and lifting activities. Jale has experience in the wind energy industry including business development, project management, capital project evaluation, project finance, risk management and QHSE management.

ABS Group Concludes Acquisition of Safetec Nordic AS

ABS Group of Companies, Inc. concluded its acquisition of Safetec Nordic AS, with a signing ceremony attended by senior ABS, ABS Group and Safetec management in Trondheim, Norway, on January 5, 2012. ABS and ABS Group Chairman, Robert D. Somerville, ABS Vice President David Weinstein, ABS Group CEO and President Tony Nassif and ABS Consulting President David Walker joined Safetec CEO Jan Morten Ertsaas, Safetec Board Chairman Jon Daniel Nesje and Professor Jan Erik Vinnem to sign the agreement bringing Safetec into the ABS Consulting organization. The acquisition of Safetec will broaden the range of solutions and services provided to ABS Consulting’s offshore customers as well as strengthen its presence along the Norwegian Continental Shelf…

ABS Elects Corporate Officers

The ABS Board of Directors has elected two senior executives of the classification society to the position of Corporate Officers. Mark A. McGrath currently serving in the appointed role of President and Chief Operating Officer of the ABS Pacific Division and Kenneth L. Richardson who serves as Vice President of Energy Project Development now join the society’s executive management team. Both are ABS veterans. McGrath had previously served as Senior Vice President, Operations for the Pacific Division and has years of experience within that division having served as the Vice President…

ABS Nautical Systems Realigns

ABS Nautical Systems (NS), a division of ABS, a classification society, announced a series of senior management changes and established a new client-centered operational structure to strengthen its portfolio of fleet management software services for the marine and offshore industries. Karen Hughey, who joined NS in January as Senior Vice President, has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer, replacing Jack Kitchura who has retired after leading Nautical Systems for the past ten years. Hughey had previously served as Vice President of Application Development for ABS.

ABS Appoints New Divisional Lead Surveyors

In a move designed to further strengthen its field survey staff, ABS has created a new divisional lead surveyor position in each of the classification society’s Divisional headquarters, serving the Americas, Europe and the Pacific region. Frank Drake, a 26- year-veteran of ABS, has been appointed ABS Americas Divisional Lead Surveyor. His vast field experience, combined with his most recent assignment to ABS Consulting’s SafeHull Condition Assessment Program or CAP, positions him to oversee and provide support to the more than 180 ABS field surveyors assigned to ports in the US, Canada, Mexico and Central and South America. Drake earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering and Technology from Mississippi State University.

ABS Names Wiernicki Chief Technology Officer

Chris J. Wiernicki has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at ABS, where he will report directly to ABS President and CEO Robert Somerville. Wiernicki replaces Dr. in the development and application of the finite element method to ship design. cycle management, unified standards and safety equivalencies,” said Wiernicki. of ABS Consulting, the risk management affiliate of ABS. risk technology capability. States. He began his career at the U.S. on various ship design and advanced materials research programs. security risk management.

Panama Canal is ISPS Ready

Security at the Panama Canal was enhanced recently as it implemented requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and received fulfillment certification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Consulting (an affiliate of the American Bureau of Shipping). The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) voluntarily sought certification and chose to comply with the Code, which is mandatory for ship and port facilities by July 1, 2004. The Panama Canal is among the first of the largest maritime organizations in the continent to receive ISPS certification. The enhanced security will improve upon the way the Canal works with ships and port facilities to detect and deter security threats within a standardized and consistent framework…

ABS Reports Strong Performance in 2001

ABS Chairman and CEO Frank J. Iarossi has reported continued strong performance by the classification society and its affiliate, the ABS Group of Companies Inc. in 2001. Iarossi reported that the ABS-classed fleet had reached a new tonnage record of 360 ft. (109.8m) gt in October 2001. He also noted that a significant contribution came from the expanding risk management and associated activities of the principal operating subsidiary, ABS Consulting. Consolidated gross revenues for ABS and the ABS Group of Companies increased 3.6 percent over 2000 to a new record $370.9 million, reflecting the continuing steady growth of the organization's non-classification activity.

RTM STAR Center First US institution Certified to SIGTTO LNG Standards

American Bureau of Shipping Consulting (ABS Consulting) has certified RTM STAR Center’s Tankship Liquefied Gases course as meeting all the requirements of the Society of International Gas Tanker & Terminal Operators, Ltd. (SIGTTO), LNG Shipping Suggested Competency Standards. This makes RTM STAR Center the first and only training organization in the U.S.A., and one of only eight organizations in the world, to be accredited or certified as meeting the SIGTTO standards. The certification process by ABS Consulting included a gap analysis and in-depth review of all student and instructor training materials followed by a rigorous 2-day onsite audit by a team of ABS auditors and LNG experts.

INTERTANKO Latin American Panel Meeting Discusses Changes

The third meeting of INTERTANKO’s Latin American Panel convened in Miami on July 24 to discuss a wide-ranging agenda. Capt. Howard Snaith updated the Panel on recent changes and increased activity on issues concerning chemical tankers within the Association and further reported on recent discussions at MEPC 49, which culminated in a compromise proposal for revisions of MARPOL Annex II. Of particular interest to the region, it was reported that Brazil had signed an agreement for the use of CDI reports for Port State Control purposes. It was agreed that INTERTANKO would encourage other countries in the region to use both CDI and SIRE reports, either through the Viña del Mar - the Latin American Agreement on Port State Control - or by direct contact with maritime authorities in each country.

INTERTANKO Meets in Miami

American Panel covered a wide-ranging and ambitious agenda. topics. Capt. in a compromise proposal for revisions of MARPOL Annex II. agreement for the use of CDI reports for Port State Control purposes. with maritime authorities in each country. world wide, the Panel was eager to hear the latest news from Venezuela. due to last minute changes in their schedule but Mr. able to summarise the current situation in the country. slowly recovering normal functionality. less operating at full capacity. for a longer period than necessary. double-check and re-confirm existing information and contacts. re-structured both on a functional and geographical level. Managing Director, Dr. previous week. and engaged in discussions to seek clarification on several issues.