Classification News

The IACS Council met in Beijing last week (C91) to assess and advance the association’s progress on the safe decarbonization and digital transitions.C91 welcomed the Safe Digital Transformation Panel’s work undertaken to clarify IACS’ role in digitalization, cyber systems and marine autonomous surface ships, and in sharing these important conceptualizations with IMO at its FAL49 meeting earlier this year in support of its comprehensive digitalization strategy.IACS Council also…

AYK Energy is set to ramp manufacturing of its latest range of marine batteries after receiving type approval from DNV.DNV has approved AYK Energy’s Pisces, Pisces +, OrionAN, and OrionAN+, as well as aluminum versions of AYK’s legacy modules setting new standards in clean energy marine propulsion.AYK Energy founder Chris Kruger said the approval is a game changer making marine battery technology more affordable driving adoption.The approval enables the company to install a 10.4MWh…

UK-based bunker operator John H. Whitaker (Tankers) Limited secured chemical certification from Lloyd’s Register (LR) on behalf of the Isle of Man Flag Administration for its tanker Whitchampion to load, carry and blend Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME B100) onboard under IBC Code and MARPOL Annex II regulations.The certification allows Whitchampion to perform onboard blending of biofuels with petroleum distillates and residual fuel oils. The operation is authorized within UK coastal…

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) introduced its latest digital innovation, the Augmented Surveyor 3D (AGS 3D), an inspection tool that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and localize structural anomalies on ships and offshore assets.The new solution was piloted successfully on a TotalEnergies-operated FPSO in West Africa. During the trial, drones captured extensive image and LiDAR data from two ballast tanks, which AGS 3D used to build a detailed 3D model, complete with AI-enhanced corrosion mapping.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) and China Cruise Limited (China Cruises) have signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement to collaborate on key areas including cruise safety, technology R&D, green transition, and digitalization. Following its full classification services for Adora Magic City, China’s first domestically built large luxury cruise ship, LR has entered strategic cooperation with China Cruises, leveraging both local project experience and global technical expertise.With a market share exceeding 40% in the global fleet of operating and newly built large cruise ships…

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. Wiernicki will step down as Chairman and CEO and retire at the end of 2025…

Lloyd's Register launched its Cruise Ship Centre of Expertise (CCoE) at Seatrade Cruise Global (April 7-10) in Miami, USA.Operating globally, the CCoE integrates LR's classification, advisory and digital services to ensure cruise operators benefit from enhanced safety, operational efficiency, and sustainability guidance.The Centre brings together operational specialists, in-service and newbuilding SMEs, plan approval specialists and commercial experts to address unique industry challenges focusing on exceptional client care…

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. The expanded agreement reinforces Singapore’s position as a leading global maritime hub…

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.“To make meaningful progress in this era of rapid change, we need strategic industry collaborations like this one with PIL. We look forward to capitalizing on our unique strengths and capabilities in maritime compliance and cutting-edge technologies to advance safety, emissions reduction and operational efficiency,” said Christopher J.

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,” said Vassilios Kroustallis…

ClassNK issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia-fuelled bunkering vessel, a vessel is jointly developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and LMG Marin AS (a member of the Seatrium Group).As ammonia as fuel is expected to be used in shipping to help shipowners meet tough new emission reduction targets, bunkering vessels that supply fuel to ships and related equipment will play an essential role in the supply chain. This vessel is being developed jointly by NYK Line…

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. HD KSOE has optimized the space previously occupied by large engine room equipment to accommodate additional containers, enhancing economic efficiency.

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, and we are building on this strong foundation by investing in widening and deepening the scope of our class services,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO.

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is participating in major new construction projects for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.Recently, steel-cutting for vessels classified by the Indian Register of Shipping include the second ‘Fleet Support Ship’ at L&T Shipbuilding, the first ‘Next Generation Missile Vessel’ at Cochin Shipyard, the second ‘Next Generation Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel’ and first Coast Guard ‘Fast Patrol Vessels’ at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, and the…

DNV awarded an AiP to HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) for its innovative vacuum-insulated large-scale liquefied hydrogen tank, another advancement in providing practical storage solutions for liquefied hydrogen (LH2).Developing cost-effective and flexible large-scale liquid hydrogen storage with higher safety, and lower operational and capital cost is essential if LH2 is to realize its promise for decarbonizing industries such as transportation, shipping, and power generation.

ClassNK has released guidance to assist in the safe evacuation of crew members from vehicle carriers in the event of a cargo hold fire. Additionally, the world’s first notation, AMEVC(EV), has been established to indicate vessels equipped with additional measures to facilitate safe evacuation.Vehicle carriers often have accommodation areas and life-saving equipment, such as lifeboats and liferafts, positioned above cargo holds, with ventilation ducts for the holds located close to the accommodation spaces.

ClassNK has launched a third-party product certification service for individual green steel products.Under the service, ClassNK certifies each green steel product supplied by steel manufacturers using the mass balance approach, and affixes a certification logo to its mill certificate. By improving reliability and making identification easier, the service ensures that users feel more secure when ordering and using green steel.ClassNK has supported decarbonization efforts related…

[ to deep, dark & confined spaces ]DLS Marine received approval from ABS for remote inspection, and it is leveraging advanced drone + software tech to make the process of tank inspection more efficient and less dangerous.DLS Marine is a long-tenured name in the U.S. maritime survey market, founded by Bob Stickney as Stickney Marine Surveying in New Orleans in 1968, with a pivotal moment coming in 1977 when Stickney hired Norman Dufour, future DLS Marine Partner, as an apprentice marine surveyor.

ClassNK awards the first-ever notation for installing a Hydroponic Vegetable Grower for Ship to improve seafarers’ living conditions to Tokei Kaiun’s bulk carrier Royal Laurel.ClassNK granted its ‘ELW (HP)’ (Excellent Living and Working Environment (Hydroponics)) notation to the ship, and the system is expected to help improve working conditions that exceed the regulations set by the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC, 2006). ClassNK has established a scheme to indicate on a class…

ClassNK has granted the class notation ‘a-EA (GRS)’ to Bright Queen, the bulk carrier operated by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers, certifying the use of green steel in its construction.This is the world’s first case of a notation being affixed for using green steel in a ship.For Bright Queen, built by Higaki Shipbuilding, ClassNK confirmed the use of JFE Steel Corporation’s green steel JGreeX, for which it had previously conducted third-party certification of the GHG emissions reductions made in the manufacturing process.For each JGreeX™ product…

ClassNK granted its ‘AFVC(FD)(EV)’*1 notation to Positive Challenger, a car carrier operated by Eastern Car Liner Ltd., and managed by ECL Shipmanagement Limited, for vessels equipped with additional firefighting measures for transporting electric vehicles (EVs).Shipping companies are implementing various measures to address EV fires, which raise concerns due to difficulties in extinguishing and the risk of re-ignition. To support these efforts, ClassNK has issued the ‘Guidelines…

With new rules on Cyber Security coming down from the U.S. Coast Guard, Angeliki Zisimatou, Director Cybersecurity, ABS, is uniquely positioned to discuss maritime cyber security in the round, with insights on what she’s seen and heard from the draft rules, with advise on what it could mean for vessel owners.Cyber security and all that it entails is quickly climbing the priority ladder in maritime, as increasing dependance on connectivity is a double edge sword of promise and peril.While the level of cyber security preparedness varies widely across all industries…

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, featuring Type-C cylindrical tanks made of carbon…