Abs Consulting News

Recent discussions with industrial teams have underscored how rapidly the digital “threatscape” is evolving across global energy systems, from oil and gas to chemicals, specialty gases, power generation, and transmission and distribution networks, says ABS Consulting Technical Director, Global Energy, Marco Ayala.The petrochemical sector must manage cyber risk amid supply chain and cyber vulnerabilities.Facing volatile energy prices, margin compression, supply chain disruptions and evolving regulatory requirements…

ABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting), a leader in safety, risk and asset integrity management, has released a paper to support vessel and facility owners and operators in meeting compliance with the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) Maritime Cyber Rule. This paper outlines practical steps to meet the first cybersecurity training deadline of January 12, 2026.Titled From Final Rule to Fully Trained: Practical Direction for Meeting the U.S. Coast Guard’s Maritime Cybersecurity Requirements…

Maritime operations run on tight schedules and thin margins, and as ships, terminals and supply chains connect systems for visibility and efficiency, attackers gain paths to entry. Cyber risk has become an operational reliability and safety concern, not just an IT issue. “Whether we are looking at this challenge through an operational or organizational safety lens, cyber risk is a critical business risk. An incident will impact everyone,” says Michael DeVolld, Senior Director…

“Between expanding attack surfaces and increasingly sophisticated threats, the stakes have never been higher,” said Michael DeVolld, Director of Maritime Cybersecurity at ABS Consulting, speaking at the 2025 Maritime Cybersecurity Summit hosted by the Maritime Transportation System (MTS) Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC).“It is essential for the maritime industry to not only understand its cyber risk but also translate that knowledge to decisive action that protects lives…

The threat that AI and quantum computing pose to cyber security is already here, even before these technologies are mature enough to crack today’s encryption methods. Bad actors are taking a “harvest now decrypt later” approach to cyberattacks.Classical encryption methods like Rivest–Shamir–Adleman (RSA) and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) rely on the difficulty of factoring large numbers or solving discrete logarithm problems.“Breaking these public, asymmetric key encryption schemes is a practical impossibility for classical systems.

Like every sector of cargo and passenger shipping, “digitalization”—where computerized processes are replacing onboard routines previously handled manually— is an ongoing trend coastwise, on the waterways and harbors. Regulatory compliance, especially with Subchapter M for towing vessels, has also driven choices of onboard equipment with digital interfaces to software and online platforms for record-keeping and for generating inputs for forms and documents.Improved performance has also shaped the capabilities of equipment in the wheelhouse and the view from the bridge.

Operational risk management company ABSG Consulting Inc. and marine offshore and engineering consultancy Global Maritime announced their alliance to support the U.S. offshore wind sector. Global Maritime's U.S. subsidiary, American Global Maritime Inc., and ABS Consulting will offer a service that supports the offshore wind life-cycle from concept design through decommissioning."We are thrilled to be working in collaboration with Global Maritime and employing their extensive track…

ABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting) signed an exclusive global licensing agreement to offer an innovative ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT) solution that supports expanded use of composite materials on offshore assets to extend service life.Developed to test the heat shield on the Orion space capsule, this is the first proven nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technology that can successfully scan layered composite material for defects, offering unprecedented visibility into the integrity of these materials.The technology…

Collaboration between risk management and insurance sectors will focus on education, training and guidance to reduce maritime cyber riskABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting), a subsidiary of ABS focused on safety and risk management, and American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club) have joined forces to provide education, training and insurance guidance that address maritime cyber security.As digital transformation in the maritime industry brings both opportunities and new challenges…

A new model aims to help commercial and public organizations resume operations safely as restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic begin to ease.Building on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), ABS Consulting said its Restart Risk Model offers a way for organizations to systematically evaluate the risk of disease transmission to their sites, operations and work areas, and develop a plan…

The Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Natonal Center of Expertise, industry experts provide technical training for future LNG fueled vessel inspectors.The Coast Guard’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise (LGC NCOE) partnered with Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville to coordinate a four-day “LNG as Fuel Workshop” Sept. 17-20, 2018, for future inspectors of LNG fueled vessels, with support from industry experts and the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Center.Together, this team of LNG as fuel specialists provided Coast Guard marine inspectors from across the U.S.

The recent conversion of a slow-speed marine diesel engine to operate on Ethane as a fuel marks a world first.Navigator Gas, in partnership with Charterer Borealis, engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions, cargo system and fuel gas supply system supplier TGE and ABS, has completed the successful conversion of the Navigator Aurora’s main engine from LNG fueling to Ethane fueling, while berthed alongside at Frederikshavn in Denmark.“This is the latest example of how ABS is collaborating…

The Great Lakes Towing Company has hired two new employees within its Great Lakes marine operations group. Lindsay R. Dew has been named Director of Operations & Compliance, and Mark W. Delventhal has been named Director of Technical Services & Business Development – both reporting to Gregg Thauvette, Vice President – Operations and working in The Company’s Cleveland offices. Dew will assume combined responsibility for all day-to-day operations of the towing business, and work to improve the company’s quality management programs and systems.

GTT North America (GTTNA), the Houston-based subsidiary of French engineering and technology company Gaztransport & Technigaz SA (GTT), received approval in principle from ABS for the design of a 2,200 cu.m. liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge. The design incorporates GTT’s membrane Cargo Containment System (CCS), which is used in 70% of the global LNG carrier fleet and nearly 90% of LNG carrier projects on order. GTT developed the membrane LNG bunker barge to demonstrate the efficient storage of LNG and safe…

Houston-based GTT North America (GTTNA), U.S. subsidiary of French engineering and technology company Gaztransport & Technigaz SA (GTT), has received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS for the design of a 2,200 cubic meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge. The distinctive design incorporates GTT’s proven membrane Cargo Containment System (CCS), which is utilized in 70% of the global LNG carrier fleet and nearly 90% of LNG carrier projects on order. Leveraging over five decades of LNG storage and maritime transportation experience…

ABSG Consulting Inc. selected for the GSA Performance Management and Continuous Process Improvement (PM/CPI) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). The government-wide vehicle will allow agencies to procure a comprehensive set of services to maximize operational effectiveness, especially in the current uncertain budgetary climate. The services available include Strategic Planning and Performance Management; Strategic Business Analysis; Process and Performance Improvement; Communications and Change Management; and Training, Certification and Recognition. The BPA comes at a time when all government agencies are under extreme pressure to improve their operating efficiencies with minimal impact on mission performance.

ABS Consulting completed its first noise emission test in India for SRC Green Power’s wind turbine in Tirunelveli, India, just southwest of the state capital, Chennai. The noise assessment of the 250 kW wind turbine generator (WTG) was conducted by the company’s IEC 61400-11 accredited subcontractor, WIND-Consult. The test took three days to complete and provided feedback on Noise Emission decibel levels at wind speeds ranging from 6 m/sec to 10 m/sec. This testing qualifies SRC…

ABS Consulting will present at the Offshore Wind Transport and Lift Workshop in London.on February 26. The presentation will focus on risks which may arise during installation and construction phases of offshore wind farm projects while looking into major practical solutions in challenging offshore wind construction environment. Jale Cairney, Business Development Director, Europe Renewable Energy at ABS Group will address the risk management concept and appropriate risk assessment strategies for offshore wind project specific transportation and lifting activities. Jale has experience in the wind energy industry including business development, project management, capital project evaluation, project finance, risk management and QHSE management.

ABS Group of Companies, Inc. concluded its acquisition of Safetec Nordic AS, with a signing ceremony attended by senior ABS, ABS Group and Safetec management in Trondheim, Norway, on January 5, 2012. ABS and ABS Group Chairman, Robert D. Somerville, ABS Vice President David Weinstein, ABS Group CEO and President Tony Nassif and ABS Consulting President David Walker joined Safetec CEO Jan Morten Ertsaas, Safetec Board Chairman Jon Daniel Nesje and Professor Jan Erik Vinnem to sign the agreement bringing Safetec into the ABS Consulting organization. The acquisition of Safetec will broaden the range of solutions and services provided to ABS Consulting’s offshore customers as well as strengthen its presence along the Norwegian Continental Shelf…

The ABS Board of Directors has elected two senior executives of the classification society to the position of Corporate Officers. Mark A. McGrath currently serving in the appointed role of President and Chief Operating Officer of the ABS Pacific Division and Kenneth L. Richardson who serves as Vice President of Energy Project Development now join the society’s executive management team. Both are ABS veterans. McGrath had previously served as Senior Vice President, Operations for the Pacific Division and has years of experience within that division having served as the Vice President…

ABS Nautical Systems (NS), a division of ABS, a classification society, announced a series of senior management changes and established a new client-centered operational structure to strengthen its portfolio of fleet management software services for the marine and offshore industries. Karen Hughey, who joined NS in January as Senior Vice President, has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer, replacing Jack Kitchura who has retired after leading Nautical Systems for the past ten years. Hughey had previously served as Vice President of Application Development for ABS.

In a move designed to further strengthen its field survey staff, ABS has created a new divisional lead surveyor position in each of the classification society’s Divisional headquarters, serving the Americas, Europe and the Pacific region. Frank Drake, a 26- year-veteran of ABS, has been appointed ABS Americas Divisional Lead Surveyor. His vast field experience, combined with his most recent assignment to ABS Consulting’s SafeHull Condition Assessment Program or CAP, positions him to oversee and provide support to the more than 180 ABS field surveyors assigned to ports in the US, Canada, Mexico and Central and South America. Drake earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering and Technology from Mississippi State University.

Chris J. Wiernicki has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at ABS, where he will report directly to ABS President and CEO Robert Somerville. Wiernicki replaces Dr. in the development and application of the finite element method to ship design. cycle management, unified standards and safety equivalencies,” said Wiernicki. of ABS Consulting, the risk management affiliate of ABS. risk technology capability. States. He began his career at the U.S. on various ship design and advanced materials research programs. security risk management.