Classification Services News

GTT, the technological expert in membrane containment systems used to transport and store liquefied gases, has obtained two new approvals in principle (AIP) from the classification societies ABS and Lloyd's Register for cargo transfer operations between very large ethane carriers (VLEC) equipped with the Mark III technology developed by GTT.These approvals confirm the relevance of GTT's containment systems on board VLECs, with tanks of up to 105,000 m3, as a safe and cost-effective solution for the transfer of liquefied ethane…

MODEC and Toray Industries have jointly developed a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) patch technique for repairs on Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO), and Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) systems.FPSO and FSO repair services provided by MODEC, a general contractor specializing in engineering, construction, operation, and maintenance services of offshore oil and gas vessels, will utilize this CFRP patch technique for pitting corrosion repair from 2024.The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)…

More than remote witnessing, more than remote data analysis, remote survey techniques are now going to aid the shift to full vessel autonomy.The technology that enables a robot to safely navigate an environment it has no prior knowledge of is called Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). “It is the key to autonomy for any aspiring can-do inspection robot.” That’s according to ScoutDI, a participant in the REDHUS project led by DNV which is developing a prototype inspection drone.SLAM is not a specific, copyrighted piece of technology.

It will take a team effort that spans sectors and even industries to meet the United States’ goal of 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030, writes Greg Lennon, ABS Vice President, Global Offshore Wind.As the United States offshore wind (OSW) industry considers the Biden-Harris Administration’s 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 goal, it’s easy to be struck by the monumental scope of the task ahead. From constructing enough installations before the aggressive deadline to the myriad support vessels needed to achieve these goals…

As digitalization in the maritime sector gains speed, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has launched a new maritime software as a service (SaaS) company called ABS Wavesight, to effectively consolidate all digital products under one roof, offering ship owners a one-stop-shop for it’s A-to-Z digital solutions.In an interview with Maritime Reporter's Greg Trauthwein, Paul Sells, the CEO and the president of the newly formed ABS Wavesight provided the rationale behind the ABS decision to launch the new company.He said: "...ABS has been for over 160 years…

The American Bureau of Shipping said Monday that the recently ordered wind turbine Installation vessel Sembcorp Marine is building for Maersk Supply Service would be built to ABS Class.Maersk Supply Service's vessel will be capable of handling the latest generation 15MW turbines, and will be deployed for Equinor and BP’s Empire Wind project offshore the U.S.Two new feeder barges and two diesel-electric hybrid tugboat units, which will also support Empire Wind, will also be built to ABS Class by Kirby Offshore Wind (KOW)…

Two tankers have had their environmental and safety classification withdrawn by a U.S. company that provides such certification, after accusations by a U.S. advocacy group that they had shipped cargoes of Iranian oil, documents seen by Reuters show.Countries targeted by tougher U.S. sanctions, including Iran and Venezuela, have responded to the mounting pressure with elaborate strategies to circumvent restrictions on their oil exports.Top oil shipping companies say they have in turn responded by tightening guidelines and deploying technology to prevent accidental sanctions breaches, which U.S. officials have said could lead to them being…

John McDonald will become ABS Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer as Tony Nassif has announced his plans to retire on December 31, 2021.As part of the company’s succession planning process, McDonald will assume the head operations role on July 26, 2021. Celebrating 25 years of service with ABS this year, McDonald joined ABS in 1996 as a surveyor and served in various frontline operational roles in Korea, the Northern Europe and Africa Region and the Central Region for the former Americas Division.

The Ertuğrul Gazi Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) for was delivered recently from South Korea to Turkey's BOTAŞ Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS), the classification society ABS has informed.Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in accordance with the ABS Guide for Building and Classing LNG Regasification Vessels, the 295-meter-long Ertuğrul Gazi, which has a capacity for 170,000 m3 of LNG, is now undergoing final regasification trials on site before starting operations…

It's no longer news that the U.S. is set to become the next big offshore wind market, with an IEA 2019 report forecasting 40 GW of installed offshore wind capacity in the country by 2040, which will require a $100 billion investment.To meet this expected growth, both in the fixed-bottom wind farms and the floating wind farms, the U.S. market will require a large amount of wind farm support vessels of various types, with the current fixed-bottom wind turbine installation fleet non-existent, and the foreign-flagged vessels not an option, for the most part.

Sperry Marine and DNV GL signed a strategic agreement to enable vessels to securely share their navigation data for use in DNV GL's digital classification services and obtain real-time class status of the navigation systems.The agreement seeks to improve process efficiency for class surveys covering the core elements of vessel navigation, through co-operation on new digital solutions. It will help to streamline the class survey inspection process by giving DNV GL access to data from the ship’s bridge…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ABS to renew its partnership in maritime research, development and innovation. The signing was witnessed by Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Transport and Foreign Affairs, at the Singapore Maritime Institute’s SMI Forum 2020 themed “Future of Port and Shipping”.Under this agreement, MPA and ABS will collaborate on projects relating to decarbonization, AI-driven decision support tools…

The American shipbuilding scene, filled with participants constructing all manner of vessels, has been navigating through stormy times (lately, yards along the Gulf Coast have literally been dealing with storms). The orders for newbuild, repair and conversion projects continue to flow in—albeit at a reduced pace—and the boats and ships go down the ways into the water, but the overall panorama has seen tremendous sea changes as the business has shifted.Maritime businesses worldwide have been grappling with currents both internal and external.

Marine classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) will provide classification services to the first floating heavy lift and installation vessel to be built in Taiwan.The vessel named the Green Jade has been commissioned by CDWE, a joint venture between Taiwanese company CSBC and Belgian offshore contractor DEME, and will be built at CSBC in Taiwan for delivery in 2022 for deployment in the region’s offshore wind market.“This is a key development for the region’s offshore wind capability and for the Taiwanese shipbuilding industry and we are delighted to be able to support it…

ABS, a classification services provider to the marine and offshore industries, will provide classification for a series of "highly innovative Self-Elevating Drilling Units (SEDU)" for Silver Eagle Global.Silver Eagle, of Manama, Bahrain, says the self-propelled design is capable of working at greater water depths and in harsh environments. According to Silver Eagle Global, the Silver Eagle SEDU 430WC-4 will have the industry’s largest deck area and deck load capacity, large accommodation…

Høglund Marine Solutions and DNV GL have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help generate and export big data from ships.This is a step towards greater digitalization of the marine industry, providing Høglund with the opportunity to further develop their automation expertise and systems and DNV GL the potential to enhance their classification services.“The digital transformation of shipping is finally happening and opens the door to many long sought-after advantages and necessary progress”, says Børge Nova, CEO of Høglund Marine Solutions.

In an Industry first, the provider of classification services to the offshore industry ABS partnered with Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) in developing the first two new build Drilling Rigs with Smart Notations.One of the rigs, which was delivered earlier this year for work in offshore Mexico, is already online with its performance being monitored from Singapore.In line with issuing the ABS Guide for Smart Functions for Marine Vessels and Offshore Units, Keppel O&M is recognized as the first shipyard group to integrate smart functions into rigs.Keppel O&M is a global leader in offshore rig design, construction and repair, ship repair and conversion…

ABS and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on up to 14 new gas carriers.The agreement covers seven new-build Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLEC) and up to seven new-build Liquefied Natural Gas Carriers (LNGC) designed to carry gas from the U.S. to China and other global markets.ABS will provide plan review, survey, inspection and other classification services for vessels, machinery and equipment as well as assist with managing the requirements for foreign flag carriers calling at U.S.

The Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) has secured an order for providing classification services for nine floating border out posts (FBOPs) and 36 patrol boats of the Border Security Force (BSF).IRClass, a 'Preferred Partner' to the Indian Navy, has considerably increased the range of its services to Ministry of Home Affairs in classing and certifying water crafts for paramilitary forces.The Ministry, in turn, has reciprocated by stipulating that the FBOPs, besides being built to IRClass rules, are also maintained in class for 13 years after delivery. In addition, the scope of inspection services ordered on IRClass for these vessels extends well beyond standard class requirements.The FBOPs are self-propelled and are equipped with navigation…

ABS announced it was assigned Recognized Organization (RO) status by the Canadian Department of National Defense (DND). ABS is now authorized to survey non-combatant vessels and undertake certification activities in key hazard areas identified by the Naval Ship Code.“ABS was selected as the exclusive classification organization for all non-combatant vessels in service with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in 2017 before expanding our class and certification services to the entire Canadian Coast Guard fleet in 2018—and now we have been assigned RO status by the DND…

The Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) has won an order for providing classification services for a series of 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes to be constructed for the Indian Navy. The order was awarded under competitive bidding in which other classification societies participated, after qualifying stringent technical requirements.The ships are to be constructed at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd, Kolkata and will be built to IRClass’ Naval Rules 2015.These ships are designed for combating threats posed by submarines and special underwater craft…

Since opening its Greek office in 2010, the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) has made inroads into the Greek shipping market, said a press release from the company.Based in Piraeus, the IRClass office has been actively engaged with Greek shipyards and owners to offer its full range of classification services.It has recently certified three Ro-Ro vessels in Greece for the Theodoropoulos shipyard and has also taken several other vessels into Class.Currently, IRClass is working on seeking authorisation from Greek maritime authorities to survey and certify all types of Greek flagged vessels, it said.“The Greek maritime market is important to IRClass and our expansion strategy is to focus our services in this region due to the large concentration of ship owners.

The Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) has secured a contract for the provision of classification services for four large survey vessels for the Indian Navy. These 110 meter vessels, which will be constructed by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd., Kolkata, are the largest hydrographic survey vessels ever constructed for the Indian Navy.IRClass has also been awarded the classification services for two diving support vessels by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd., Visakhapatnam to be built for the Indian Navy.