Maritime Classification Services News

Arun Sharma, Chairman & Managing Director, head of IRClass, discusses advances at the classification society as it celebrates 40 years. Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) is India’s “National” Ship Classification Society, formed to fill the need for having an Indian ship classification society due to the increase in Indian flagged commercial shipping tonnage, post-independence. Accordingly, Sir Ramaswamy Mudaliar first proposed to set up a National Classification Society. In response the Ministry of Shipping & Transport convened a meeting in Delhi on May 29…

ABS, a provider of global maritime classification services, today released its Navigating the Northern Sea Route Advisory to support shipowners and operators intending to transit the increasingly popular commercial shipping routes through the Arctic seas. The comprehensive advisory, which was developed with assistance from Russia's Central Marine Research and Design Institute, provides owners with the information they need to apply for permits and to identify the possible technical…

When ABS, the global provider of maritime classification services, announced that James A. Watson had been named President and Chief Operating Officer of their Americas Division, it wasn’t hard to see why. Likewise, there were few if any other candidates for the job with as well rounded a CV, and with the breadth of knowledge spanning the full range of maritime issues. Formerly the Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and before that, Watson served as the U.S.

ABS, a provider of maritime classification services, launched Chem-eL, a specialized training package designed to support safety and competence in chemical tanker operations. Chem-eL is a sector-specific e-learning marine product developed in accordance with the requirements stated in the International Maritime Organization's International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers and the relevant IMO Model Course. Developed by ABS in cooperation with Malaysian Maritime Academy (ALAM), a subsidiary of the MISC Bhd.

ABS, a provider of global maritime classification services, announced the formation of the Asset Performance Management Group (APMG). The new organization integrates several existing services into a single team focused on complete life cycle performance services that complement traditional classification services. "The future of classification requires ABS to work with our members and clients in a more collaborative, more efficient and less intrusive way," said ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki.

"Nordic Apollo", "Nordic Cosmos" and "Nordic Moon" are now in service with GL classification, "Nordic Neptun" will follow soon. The four Suezmax tankers from Norwegian shipowner "Nordic American Tanker Shipping" (NAT) have been transferred to GL class. The contract was signed in early February in Norway. NAT is the world's third largest stock listed tanker operator. The company operates only modern double hull suezmax tankers. The GL Group serves clients from the maritime and oil & gas industries from its six offices in Oslo, Sandefjord, Brevik, Bergen, Aalesund and Stavanger.