In response to today's announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama regarding the awarding of funding under the Lightweight and Modern Metals Manufacturing Innovation Institute (LM3I) initiative to the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute (ALMMII), ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. ABS is consistently focused on identifying novel and innovative concepts that aid the marine and offshore industries in improving the design, construction and maintenance of their assets. The institute is a natural avenue to leverage ongoing ABS technology development in next-generation materials, metals and joining technologies. We are proud to be members of ALMMII and are thankful for the trust placed upon the team by the U.S. government.