Abs News

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have secured concept verification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a breakerless medium-voltage direct current (MVDC) power system designed to improve energy efficiency and support electrification of large commercial vessels.The system, designed for vessels requiring around 30 MW of power, aims to improve energy efficiency and support high-capacity electrification as ships…

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.

Zamil Offshore commissioned Incat Crowther and Singaporean shipbuilder Lita Ocean to design, build and deliver a fourth 60-m ABS-classed monohull Fast Support Intervention Vessel (FSIV). The project follows the delivery of the third vessel in the original fleet with the performance of the fleet leading to the order of a fourth vessel.The FSIV fleet is assisting Zamil Offshore with the efficient and safe transport of cargo, heavy maintenance equipment and personnel for Saudi Aramco’s operations in the Arabian Sea.

Anglo-Eastern has detailed its role in developing and preparing CMB.TECH's Mineral Europa, the world's first ammonia-powered dry bulk carrier, which recently embarked on its maiden voyage.The 210,000 dwt Newcastlemax, built by CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding, features a WinGD dual-fuel ammonia engine and a Sun Rui Ammonia Fuel Supply System. The vessel can operate on ammonia or conventional marine fuel, providing flexibility as ammonia bunkering infrastructure develops.Anglo-Eastern's involvement dates to 2018…

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. shipbuilding sector capable of building and operating nuclear-powered assets safely.

Battery manufacturer AYK Energy has announced further growth in the workboat industry after striking its latest deal with Kongsberg Maritime to supply batteries for four new fully electric Svitzer TRAnsverse tugs.The deal builds on five previous Svitzer hybrid electric tug projects AYK has worked on. The vessels are being built at the Cochin Shipyard in India and will see each tug equipped with an ABS-certified 4,838kWh OrionAN+ battery system with an option for four further vessels.AYK’s batteries will integrate into Kongsberg Maritime’s system…

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HDKSOE) and Siemens have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop digital twin technology for assessing leak behavior and safety aboard ammonia-fueled vessels.The collaboration, announced at Gastech 2026, will combine computational fluid dynamics analysis with digital twin technology to rapidly predict how ammonia would disperse in the event of a leak.The technology is intended to allow a range…

A nuclear-powered liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier could cost about 2.5 times as much to build as a conventional vessel but substantially reduce fuel costs over its operating life, according to a joint study involving ABS, Blossom Energy and a global shipping company.Presented at Gastech 2026, the study assessed a 174,000-cubic-metre LNG carrier equipped with a 20-25 MWe high-temperature gas-cooled reactor being developed by Blossom Energy.The study compared the vessel's arrangement…

Shipping companies can now harvest data on enhanced fuel performance as verified CO₂ reductions that they convert into Gold Standard carbon credits using Aderco’s ‘measure-as-you-go’ program, 2055G+, writes Gérald Baiwir, Head of Environment, Aderco.Looking beyond compliance with environmental regulations, shipping companies are discovering that savings from onboard energy-efficiency measures can be converted into valuable, Gold Standard-backed carbon credits, allowing them to benefit financially while reducing emissions.Until very recently…

McAllister Towing received the tug Mary McAllister from Washburn & Doughty Associates, Inc. in Maine. Mary McAllister is the sixth in a seven-tug series of American Bureau of Shipping-classed and certified 84-metric-ton bollard pull, low-emission tractor tugs. Mary McAllister is powered by CAT Tier IV engines producing 6,770 horsepower. She is classed with the following certifications and endorsements from ABS: +A-1 Towing, +AMS, Fire Fighting (FiFi 1), Escort, Low Emissions Vessel.

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 and testing of novel solutions for maritime applications.The first project under…

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, ammonia cargo handling system and fuel supply system against…

ABS has awarded Hanwha Ocean approval in principle (AIP) for a multi-purpose fuel tank and fuel gas supply system that enables an LNG carrier to transition from LNG to ammonia fuel without replacing the fuel tank or fuel supply system.The approval covers the fuel tank and integrated fuel gas supply system for an electrically propelled LNG carrier powered by a gas turbine. The system is designed to supply either LNG or ammonia to the gas turbine, enabling transition from LNG to ammonia.

EST-Floattech has been contracted by Dutch system integrator Van Tiem Elektro to supply its Octopus High Energy battery systems for a new series of 15 river cruise vessels.The vessels are being outfitted at De Gerlien van Tiem in Druten, and at Vahali Shipyards in Ghent, for a group of cruise operators, including AmaWaterways and Uniworld, sailing on the Danube and the Black Sea region. Each vessel will be equipped with 650 kWh of battery capacity, bringing the total order to 9.7 MWh…

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. Germany ranked 10th in the world in AMVER awards…

TDI-Brooks’ multi-use oceanographic research vessel, the R/V PROTEUS has completed its full-term ABS shipyard period in Las Palmas.During the shipyard period, TDI-Brooks expanded the vessel’s hydrographic capabilities and upgraded the PROTEUS with the installation of a new Kongsberg EM302 deep-water multibeam system. The hull mounted 30kHz EM302 has a depth range of 7,000m and can be used for a variety of applications across a range of water depths. The 1×1 degree MBES replaces…

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, A*Star, Fleet Robotics and Enki Marine.“Digitalization, robotics and AI…

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. Success…

McDonough Marine Service announced the addition of the MARMAC 3080, a 300' x 80' x 16' ABS Load Line deck barge, to its growing fleet of marine equipment available for charter. The MARMAC 3080 will call Amelia, Louisiana and will be ready to service the industry from this location going forward.As a barge rental company, McDonough Marine Service offers one of the largest fleets of deck barges available for charter, providing customers with the flexibility to secure the right equipment…

An evaluation study based on reference data from a Suezmax crude oil tanker has demonstrated the benefits of using Thordon Bearings’ T-BOSS shaftline solution instead of a conventional oil lubricated sterntube system.The study assessed the CAPEX for a sterntubeless T-BOSS (Thordon - Blue Ocean Stern Space) system installed on a 274m (899ft.)-long tanker, assuming a shaft diameter of 670mm (26”) as the baseline. The study established that the T-BOSS provides benefits for ship designers and shipbuilders…

Moby Robotics is a new entrant to the subsea swarm autonomous robotic space, created in 2025 and aiming to take a leadership role in the discovery and recovery of subsea minerals market.The race to secure critical minerals from the deep ocean has accelerated dramatically over the past two years, driven by geopolitical concerns, energy transition goals and growing demand for rare earth elements. While much of the industry's attention has centered on regulatory debates and large mining contractors…

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. Built on LFP chemistry, the system operates at up to 1,000 VDC, supports a depth of discharge from 2 percent to 98 percent and carries an IP67 rating.

Chile will export its first floating laboratory to the United States after ASENAV signed a contract to build a hybrid vessel dedicated to ocean research for the University California of San Diego.From its home port in San Diego, California, the 38-meter vessel will serve hundreds of scientists and students each year along the Eastern Pacific coast as part of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. The NB 201 project, designed by US-based naval architecture firm Glosten, will replace Research Vessel Robert Gordon Sproul…