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ABS, Ørsted Tapped for 2026 NOIA Award
The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) has named the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Ørsted the winners of the 2026 NOIA Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) Excellence Awards. ABS is the winner of the Service, Supply & Support category, while Ørsted is the inaugural winner of the new Operators & Developers category.The NOIA ESG Excellence Award recognizes companies whose actions, design, or influence advance the ideals embodied by the NOIA ESG Principles.
ABS, U.S. DOE to Advance Maritime Nuclear Technology
ABS and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance modern commercial nuclear technology at sea. The agreement spans floating power solutions, nuclear-powered vessels and the development of the ports, shipyards and industrial base needed to build and sustain them.Key priorities include concept and feasibility studies for floating nuclear power and nuclear transportation corridors, and support for developing a U.S.
ABS, lomarlabs to Accelerate Early-Stage Global Shipping Solutions
ABS and lomarlabs have signed a Master Research Collaboration Agreement (MRCA) to explore technologies from early-stage technology companies that aim to reduce emissions, increase fuel efficiency and automate operations in the maritime industry.The MRCA establishes a framework for both organizations to share expertise and advisory services to engage with the startups to support research, development…
HD HHI, HD KSOE Receive AIP for for Bunker Vessel Capable of Supplying Ammonia Fuel
ABS has awarded HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) approval in principle (AIP) for the basic design of a 22,000 CBM bunkering vessel capable of supplying ammonia as marine fuel.Announced at Gastech 2026, the approval is the result of a joint development project initiated earlier this year. ABS reviewed the design’s general arrangement, machinery arrangement…
ABS Recognizes German Shipping Community’s Commitment to Safety
German shipowners and operators representing 146 vessels from 41 companies were recognized at the ABS-supported AMVER Awards for their role in maintaining maritime safety and their commitment to assisting in search and rescue activities anywhere in the world.Held in conjunction with the SMM maritime conference, the ceremony recognized vessels that contribute to the unique AMVER reporting system, which supports search and rescue efforts for distress calls at sea.
AI and Robotics in Focus at ABS Innovation Summit
The technologies reshaping maritime took center stage at the ABS Innovation Sumit where shipowners, operators, technology developers and investors explored how innovation is moving from concept to operational reality.During the Summit, live technology demonstrations gave attendees direct access to innovators behind advances in robotics, drones, sensors and AI, with participating companies including Flyability…
ABS: Shipping has Entered a New Phase for Navigating Decarbonization
On the release of a new ABS report “Decision Point: Practical Pathways to 2035” John McDonald, ABS Chairman and CEO, explains: “The industry has entered a new phase. For many years, the discussion centered on identifying a future fuel winner. Today, the challenge is broader. Shipping companies are making investment decisions for assets that will operate into the 2040s, while managing regulatory uncertainty, changing market expectations and evolving technology pathways.
ABS Issues Approval for Fleetzero Marine Battery System
ABS has issued a product design assessment (PDA) to Fleetzero for its Leviathan Battery Energy Storage System, marking the first lithium iron phosphate (LFP) marine battery system manufactured in the United States to receive classification approval.The PDA reflects ABS review of the Leviathan system for marine application and supports its use in future projects requiring class-verified battery technology.
ABS: Demand for Floating Offshore Wind Vessels is Rising
Demand for high-capability offshore support vessels for floating offshore wind is expected to strengthen in the late 2020s, with availability constraints emerging in some segments as early as 2029, according to a new report from ABS.Produced by ABS in collaboration with Intelatus Global Partners, Floating Offshore Wind and the Vessels That Support It examines the role large anchor handling tug supply…
Nuclear-Powered 15K TEU Containership Receives ABS AIP
ABS has awarded approval in principle (AIP) for a concept design for a nuclear-powered 15,000 TEU containership developed in collaboration with the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI).Equipped with a small modular reactor (SMR), the concept is part of an ongoing joint development project with ABS, KRISO and KAERI to evaluate the technical feasibility of nuclear-powered commercial shipping.
ABS Backs bound4blue Methodology for Wind Propulsion Compliance
Classification society ABS has reviewed bound4blue's methodology for calculating Pwind values used to quantify the contribution of the company's eSAIL suction sails toward compliance with maritime emissions regulations.The review covered the company's methodology for producing aerodynamic force matrices used in Pwind calculations for the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), the Energy Efficiency…
ABS Launches Eagle CRoute Containership Solution
ABS has launched Eagle CRoute, an online tool designed to help containership operators improve operational flexibility through route-based lashing reduction factor calculations.Changing port rotations, blank sailings, evolving stowage plans and shifting geopolitical conditions are increasing pressure on operators to make faster loading decisions. Eagle CRoute supports these decisions by calculating…
ABS and Partners to Develop Conditional Unmanned Bridge
ABS, Polaris Shipping, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and autonomous navigation solutions provider AVIKUS have signed a four-party Concept Study Agreement for the implementation of a Conditional Unmanned Bridge.Under the agreement, the parties will jointly develop an autonomous navigation concept enabling unmanned bridge operation during deep-sea voyages, when defined conditions are met, on one…
Antipollution, ONEX Signs LOI to Build Waste Collection Vessels
Antipollution, a member of V Group, and ONEX Shipyards & Technologies (ONEX) have signed a letter of intent covering the construction of up to eight eco vessels to be built to ABS Class in Greece.The project covers four vessels plus four options and marks a significant step for Greek shipbuilding while advancing environmental services for the country's maritime sector. To be constructed by ONEX, which is reviving shipyards in Elefsis and Syros…
ABS and MOBY Robotics Sign MoU on Subsea Mining Technologies
ABS and MOBY Robotics Inc. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance technologies supporting subsea mining and offshore mineral transport.The MoU establishes a framework for ABS to support MOBY in the development, certification and eventual classification of autonomous robotic systems and other key technologies in accordance with ABS Requirements for Subsea Mining and ABS Offshore Rules.
HD KSOE, HD HHI, ABS Advance Battery Integration for Ultra-Large Container Ship
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) have completed a joint development project for a high-efficiency 16,000-TEU ultra-large container ship equipped with a battery hybrid system.ABS awarded approval in principle (AiP) to HD KSOE and HD HHI for the vessel's electrical analysis and electrical design following…
ABS Shares Technical Approach to Support IMO Pathway to Decarbonization
In an open letter to the industry, ABS has set out a measured and data-driven approach to support the development of an effective global framework for maritime decarbonization.Titled, The ABS View: A Practical Path Forward on IMO Mid-Term Measures, it reflects broad alignment across the industry on the need for one international approach to emissions reduction, while recognizing that implementation…
ABS Grants AiP for Nuclear Reactor Integration in Vessel Design
ABS issued approval in principle (AIP) for the integration of a nuclear reactor into a cargo vessel propulsion system developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and Capital Maritime Group.This design uses a special synthetic fluid to carry heat from the reactor core. Today’s designs typically focus on micro-scale thermal outputs of 10 to 20 megawatts.
ABS: Rising Complexities Demand New Approach to Tech Adoption
“Access to innovation is no longer enough. Competitive advantage will be defined by how effectively we turn technology into safe, reliable performance at sea," said John McDonald, ABS Chairman and CEO at Capital Link at the start of Posidonia, as he set out the urgent need to close the gap between rapid technological advancement and real-world performance.He highlighted the increasingly complex operating environment facing shipping…
ABS Addresses Operational Solutions for Shipping Challenges at Annual Hellenic Committee Meeting
“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…
