CanShip Ugland’s Shuttle Tanker First To Be Certified

ABS has been authorized to conduct inspections and issue approvals and certificates to convention ships registered in Canada. ABS acts on behalf of over 100 administrations around the world to issue statutory certificates on their behalf. Transport Canada’s Marine Safety Executive branch issued the authorization under its Delegated Statutory Inspection Programme. According to ABS Regulatory Affairs Manager Gregory Shark the class society successfully documented and demonstrated its ability to address those unique aspects of Canadian national requirements which exceed ABS Rules and the International Conventions. The authorization process called for an in-depth comparison matrix examining Transport Canada’s requirements, SOLAS, MARPOL and ABS Rule requirements in order to develop supplementary check sheets for Canadian flagged vessels. For example, supplementary check sheets for construction and safety equipment from ABS address items such as additional specifications for firefighting equipment, structural fire protection and means of escape. Documents need to be written in French and English. The first Canadian registered vessel surveyed by ABS under this delegation of authority is the 127,000 dwt offshore crude oil shuttle tanker “Mattea” owned by Penney Ugland Ltd. and managed by Canship Ugland Limited. The shuttle tanker is one of three that moves crude oil production to shore from the Hibernia and Terra Nova fields on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Transport Canada’s mission is to develop and administer policies, regulations and services for the safest and most secure and efficient as well as environmentally-friendly transportation system for Canada and Canadians.