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ABS News
ABS Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Foremost Shipping Founder and Chairman
ABS presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. James S. C. Chao, Founder and Chairman of the Foremost Group.The first ABS award of its kind, the honor was presented by ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki at the 163rd ABS Annual Members Meeting recognizing Dr. Chao’s contributions to shipping and his legacy of honor, integrity and dedication to the maritime industry.“Dr. Chao not only has a remarkable legacy of achievement but also personifies the finest values of our industry.
ABS Expands Singapore Footprint
Increasing demand from shipowners for ABS services in Singapore has prompted ABS to invest in an expanded regional head office housing research and development capabilities.The Science Park Drive facility will also include a new Operation Support Center to support expanded remote survey capabilities in the Pacific region.“ABS has been investing in ensuring our capabilities in Singapore are cutting edge and able to support our clients’ rapidly evolving needs.
ABS Signs Talent Development MoU in Singapore
ABS and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) signed an MoU at Singapore Maritime Week last week to advance innovations in applied research in maritime technology and enhance talent development within the global maritime and offshore industries.The collaboration advances applied research in vessel system design, including ship power simulations with hardware-in-the-loop, shore-to-ship charging…
ABS Approves Framework for Autonomous Navigation Lifecycle Management
ABS has granted approval in principle to Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI) for its Action Planning and Execution System (APExS-auto) maritime autonomy framework for the lifecycle management of autonomous navigation systems.The framework is crafted to be flexible, adapting to any necessary operational and design changes.The APExS-auto operational framework was developed by MTI, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha and Japan Marine Science Inc.
ABS Holds Inaugural South America Regional Committee Meeting
Maritime and offshore energy leaders from Brazil, Argentina, Chile and throughout South America came together for the first meeting of the ABS South America Regional Committee.“ABS has a long, proud history of many decades serving clients in South America, and we are excited to bring together a committee of esteemed colleagues to exchange ideas and engage in constructive discussions to support innovative solutions and forward progress in the maritime and offshore industries…
ABS Approves Hanwha Cybersecurity Solution
ABS issued a Type Approval for IACS UR E27 cyber resilience requirements to Hanwha Systems for its cybersecurity solution, SecuAider®.Hanwha Systems’ SecuAider® is a software solution that offers protection to a vessel’s data and networks from advanced cyberattacks, such as ransomware and malware.The ABS E27 certification is part of the ABS Cyber Resilience Program that evaluates a range of digitally enabled systems and equipment…
New Grain Loading Rules Allow for Special Compartment
ABS has provided guidance on the recent amendments to the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (Grain Code) that will become effective on January 1, 2026.Originally adopted in 1991, the Grain Code specified loading conditions for grain transport. However, these conditions did not account for all practical loading scenarios, particularly concerning "specially suitable compartments."The…
ABS Finalizes Reports on Synthetic Fuels, Nuclear Power for EMSA
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has published the final two reports in six series, focused on alternative fuels and decarbonization technologies. The reports were contracted from a consortium led by ABS, which includes CE Delft, Arcsilea, and Texas A&M University.A 360-degree analysis of nuclear power and synthetic fuels, specifically the renewable e-fuels of e-diesel, e-methane, and e-methanol…
ABS' Wiernicki: "Nuclear Must Be Part of the Equation"
“New nuclear technology is a global decarbonization solution and a commercial shipping disruptor. There is no net zero by 2050 without nuclear.”That was the view from ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki, speaking at the Core Power New Nuclear for Maritime Houston Summit.“New nuclear is a transformational technology. It disrupts the commercial model, the economics of shipping, as well as the operation of vessels and, of course, their design,” said Wiernicki.
ABS Approves Collapsible Floating Wind Platform
ABS has issued a statement of maturity to Aikido’s floating wind platform which is designed to be assembled more quickly in smaller port areas and transported using existing barges. This could enable faster and cheaper development of floating offshore wind projects.As part of the process, ABS witnessed a successful upending demonstration of the Aikido One unit, a 1:4-scale floating wind platform. The…
Approval Granted for Blue Ammonia FPSO
MODEC and Toyo Engineering have jointly obtained an Approval in Principle (AiP) from ABS for a Blue Ammonia FPSO that will produce ammonia from the gas supplied by a traditional FPSO located nearby.Blue ammonia is produced from hydrocarbons where the CO2 emitted during production is sequestrated.The Blue Ammonia FPSO will use gas which has conventionally been reinjected as feedstock.The FPSO will be…
ABS Expanding Footprint in Southeast Asia
The ABS fleet has grown to 300 million gross tons and has secured the number one position in the global orderbook share. Now ABS is investing in the expansion of its services to ensure it is well placed to meet the growing needs of the marine and offshore industries.That was the message for maritime leaders at the annual ABS Southeast Asia Regional Committee meeting.“Our safety driven mission continues to serve us well…
Cyber Security in the Maritime Sector - What You Need to Know Now
The U.S. Coast Guard proposes to update its maritime security regulations by adding regulations specifically focused on establishing minimum cybersecurity requirements for U.S.-flagged vessels, Outer Continental Shelf facilities, and U.S. facilities subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 regulations. This proposed rule would help to address current and emerging cybersecurity threats in the marine transportation system.
ABS Reports Fleet Growth, Superior Safety Record
"Safety is more than just compliance. It is now synonymous with security, reliability, collective relationships and people. Safety is also becoming systems based rather than rooted in prescriptive rules or specific component procedures. Only by embracing a proactive, systems-oriented approach to safety, can the maritime industry navigate the path to a decarbonized future while ensuring the well-being…
Workboat 2024: A Ton of Energy
There’s plenty to go around for everyone, no matter it comes from.I will admit that attending the 2024 Workboat Show in the Big Easy just ten days after settling into the MarineNews Editor’s chair (for this, the second time around) had my full attention. The event typically evokes the specter of drinking from the proverbial fire hose in routine times, but attending and digesting all it has to offer, right out of the gate, makes the task just little bit edgier.
Shipping is Entering the Fifth Industrial Revolution, Says ABS Chief
Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize shipping by enhancing safety and efficiency, Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, said, while also noting the growing importance of the human touch in this high-tech era.“Maritime 5.0 will be defined by the ever-expanding capabilities of artificial intelligence, driving our complex industry to be safer, more efficient and more optimized…
ABS Conducts Ammonia Dispersion Safety Evaluation
ABS has completed a safety evaluation of ammonia dispersion on board an ammonia-fueled gas turbine LNG carrier design from Hanwha Ocean.ABS, in collaboration with Hanwha Ocean, conducted computational fluid dynamics simulations that modeled different ammonia release scenarios due to accidental leakages from the engine room, the pipeline and the bunkering stations on deck.The analysis confirmed that…
ABS Unveils Rules for Floating Nuclear Power Plants
The industry’s first comprehensive rules for floating nuclear power plants have been unveiled by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) at a forum for nuclear industry leaders held jointly with Idaho National Laboratory (INL).Held at ABS’ world headquarters in Texas, the event saw presentations on the latest reactor technologies from leading companies and publication of a detailed study from ABS and Herbert Engineering modeling the design…
ABS Issues AIP for Japanese LCO2 Carrier Designs
ABS issued an approval in principle (AIP) to leading Japanese companies at Gastech 2024 for two liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier designs with Type-C cargo tanks that do not require performing post-weld-heat-treatment based on the demonstration of an engineering critical assessment.ABS reviewed the drawings based on class and statutory requirements for the two designs, a 50K cubic meter carrier and a 23K cubic meter carrier…
ABS Grants AIP for Ammonia Fuel Retrofit Solution
An ammonia fuel supply system that can be retrofitted to existing vessels or installed on newbuilds has earned approval in principle (AIP) from ABS.The ammonia fuel supply system from Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases features high efficiency pumps and an integrated fuel management system.Konstantinos Fakiolas, Director of Marine, Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases, said: “Nikkiso’s FSS for ammonia is designed under the principles of redundancy…
