American Bureau of Shipping
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries. Established in 1862, it is one of the oldest classification societies in the world. ABS is headquartered in Houston, Texas, USA.
Primary Functions and Services
Classification
ABS classifies ships and offshore structures, ensuring they comply with specific standards related to design, construction, and operational maintenance. Classification is the cornerstone of ABSās activities. The process includes:
- Review and approval of design plans
- Surveys during and after construction to confirm adherence to standards
- Periodic inspections throughout the lifecycle of the asset
Certification
ABS provides certification services for various regulations and standards, ensuring that marine assets meet international and national safety requirements. This includes:
- Safety Management Systems (SMS) under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code
- International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code
- Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) compliance
Technical Advisory and Consultancy
ABS offers advisory services to help clients enhance the performance and operational efficiency of their assets. This includes:
- Risk assessment and management
- Environmental compliance
- Energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives
- Data-driven decision-making using digital technologies and analytics
Research and Development
ABS invests significantly in research and development to stay at the forefront of industry trends and technological advancements. This helps them to offer forward-thinking solutions for emerging challenges in the marine and offshore sectors.
Industry Focus
ABS serves a wide range of sectors including:
- Commercial shipping (tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, etc.)
- Offshore energy (oil and gas platforms, wind farms, etc.)
- Government and military vessels
- Yachts and leisure craft
Digital Solutions
In recent years, ABS has incorporated digital technologies to provide smart solutions for asset management. This includes:
- Remote survey and inspection capabilities
- Condition-based monitoring and maintenance
- Integration of Internet of Things (IoT) for real-time data collection and analytics
Global Presence
ABS operates globally, with a network of offices and surveyors in major port cities around the world. This allows them to provide timely and localized services to their clients.
Commitment to Safety and Environmental Stewardship
A core part of ABSās mission is to promote safety at sea and the environmental sustainability of marine and offshore operations. They collaborate with industry stakeholders to develop and refine standards that protect human life, property, and the environment.
Affiliations and Subsidiaries
ABS is part of the ABS Group of Companies, which provides risk management and technical services to a wide range of sectors beyond marine and offshore, including power and energy, manufacturing, and government services.
Leadership and Reputation
With a history of over 160 years, ABS has a well-established reputation for quality, reliability, and continuous improvement. Its leadership in the field is backed by its rigorous approach to technical standards and its proactive stance on innovation and sustainability.
For more information, you can visit their official website at www.eagle.org.
Ships and so on
- Phone: Li
- Web: www.eagle.com
- Fax: 281-877-6795
Locations
American Bureau Of Shipping News
ABS, Akselos Deepen FPSO Digital Twin Tech Collaboration
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Akselos have completed the technical assessment for structural digital twin technology, marking an advancement in the application of the solution for Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units.Akselosā SPM software provides a high-fidelity, near real-time digital twin of the entire FPSO. By combining inspection records, metocean conditions, and cargo operations into one dynamic modelā¦
How FLNG Tech Supports Energy Transition
Fast-growing energy demand is driving the need for technical support and guidance in new locations, writes Terrance Roberts, Manager, Global Business Development, ABS.Surging appetite for natural gas is accelerating the development of global and regional supply chains, with established producers seeking new markets and emerging suppliers looking to meet demand from local consumers.Long-tabled exportā¦
ABS' Wiernicki to Retire at the End of 2025
At the 163rd ABS Annual Members Meeting, the classification society says it has never been stronger, with substantial growth and leading safety performance reported. Key numbers in 2004 included the fleet growing to 300 million gross tons, giving it pole position in global class in global new order share with 22 percent.At the Members Meeting it was also announed that ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J.
Charting Key Regulatory Change Across Maritime Law in 2025 and Beyond
A tidal wave of new regulations is set to hit the global maritime sector this year, representing fresh, highly-complex compliance challenges. From environmental performance to evolving security and safety standards, the shipping industry faces a raft of new rules intended to ensure safe operations and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this article, Stamatis Fradelos, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at the American Bureau of Shippingā¦
ABS, MPA Expand Partnership to Drive Innovation, Workforce Development
New ABS Singapore Maritime Safety Centre to support immersive training in alternative fuels and safety operationsThe American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) have renewed their long-standing partnership with the signing of a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on accelerating maritime innovation, talent development, and regulatory collaboration.
ABS, Pacific International Lines ink MOU
ABS and Pacific International Lines (PIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Singapore Maritime Week that establishes a framework to collaborate on projects related to maritime technology, sustainability and safety management systems.āTo make meaningful progress in this era of rapid change, we need strategic industry collaborations like this one with PIL. We look forward to capitalizingā¦
ABS Raises Concerns Over IMOās āWild Cardā Carbon Levy Proposal
Uncertainty about the scale and nature of the IMOās proposed carbon levy is holding back investment in shipping, according to the Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman and CEO of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).āA carbon levy is a wild card. It will all depend on how it is implemented and enforced. Thereās a huge question mark over whether this will deliver for the industry and there is much still to be decidedā¦
Unwinding the Morass that is U.S. Offshore Wind
In the last decade, changing U.S. Administrations have become increasingly tumultuous, as the swings in priorities and directives have a real, material impact on business. Read on for insights on the current and future of U.S. Offshore Wind.In the weeks preceding his late January inauguration, then President-elect Donald Trump referred to wind turbines (both onshore and offshore) as āgarbage in a fieldā andā¦
Pherousa Scoops ABS, DNV Approvals for Ammonia-Cracking Tech for Ships
Norwegian maritime technology company Pherousa has secured approvals in principle (AiPs) from American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and DNV for its ammonia cracking technology onboard ships, featuring PEM Fuel Cells and Fuel Gas Supply System (FGSS) for fully electric propulsion.Pherousa, together with partners, is developing ammonia cracking technology that could make the transition to fossil-free andā¦
ABS Greenlights Kongsbergās Digital Application for DP Systems
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for Kongsberg Maritimeās Dynamic Positioning Digital Survey (DPDS) application.The DPDS application from Kongsberg continuously gathers data from a vesselās dynamic positioning (DP) system, allowing annual DP surveys to move from in-person assessments on the vessel in a fixed timeframe to remote analysis onshore across a widerā¦
ABS Sees Nuclear as āGenerational Opportunityā for US Shipbuilding
New nuclear reactor technology represents a once in a generation opportunity for U.S. industrial policy, as vessels propelled by advanced small modular reactors (SMR) could act as a catalyst for the revitalization of the countryās shipbuilding, according the Chairman and CEO of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Christopher J. Wiernicki.Wiernicki added he believes the next step is development of a marinized SMR demonstrator.āIt is a key transformational technology.
The Nuclear Option: ABS Grants AIP for 15K TEU Nuclear-Propelled Vessel Design
A nuclear-propelled containership designed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) received approval in principle from ABS.The design for a 15k TEU vessel uses a propulsion system comprised of a molten salt reactor (MSR) for heat and a supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) system for power generation. Unlike conventional ships, nuclear-powered vessels do not require engine exhaust systems or fuel tanks.
ABS' Wiernicki: "Nuclear Must Be Part of the Equation"
āNew nuclear technology is a global decarbonization solution and a commercial shipping disruptor. There is no net zero by 2050 without nuclear.āThat was the view from ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki, speaking at the Core Power New Nuclear for Maritime Houston Summit.āNew 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,ā said Wiernicki.
Marine Cybersecurity: Key Takeaways from the Coast Guard's Final Rule
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) published a final rule on January 17, 2025, addressing Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System (the āFinal Ruleā), which seeks to minimize cybersecurity-related transportation security incidents (āTSIsā) within the maritime transportation system (āMTSā) by establishing requirements to enhance the detection, response, and recovery from cybersecurity risks. Effective July 16ā¦
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 Approves Hanwha Oceanās FPSO Design
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has awarded Hanwha Ocean an Approval in Principle (AIP) for its Pre-FEED standard FPSO design intended to create an asset optimized for deployment in the deep waters of West Africa.The FPSO design is 340 meters long and capable of storing approximately 2.38 million barrels of crude oil, with a daily crude oil production capacity of 190,000 barrels.Developed to accommodate topsides for crude oil and or gas production facilitiesā¦
ABS and KOMERI Strengthen Maritime Technology R&D Cooperation
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI) have signed an agreement that establishes a framework for strengthening technology research and development in the shipbuilding and marine industries.The two organizations will cooperate in the use of research facilities and equipment, as well as testing and certification. Further, they plan to provide mutual information exchanges and professional education through seminarsā¦
Noble Picks ABS Wavesightās Solution for Offshore Assetsā Digital Recordkeeping
Offshore drilling contractor Noble Corporation has selected ABS Wavesightās eLogs electronic logbooks for digital recordkeeping across its entire fleet of offshore assets.ABS Wavesight eLogs offers a comprehensive and streamlined approach to recordkeeping for both the maritime and offshore industry.The secure digital platform replaces traditional paper logbooks, delivering a more efficient, reliableā¦
McDermott's DLV2000 Pipelay Vessel Gets ABSā Sustainability Certification
McDermott's heavy-lift and rigid pipelay vessel, the Derrick Lay Vessel 2000 (DLV2000), has been awarded the SUSTAIN-1 classification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).This marks the first time a marine construction vessel in its class has achieved this sustainability certification.The SUSTAIN-1 classification recognizes the DLV2000 for its environmental performance, including energy efficiencyā¦
LNG Carrier with Nuclear Propulsion Offers Faster Zero-Emission Transits, ABS Finds
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has released its latest report into the potential of advanced nuclear technology for maritime applications, concluding the technology installed on LNG carrier would enable faster transit speeds with zero-emission operations.ABS conducted a study of a small modular reactor on a standard liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier.The transformational impact of a high-temperatureā¦
