Design Verification News

ABS and Siemens Energy have signed a joint development project (JDP) to advance the understanding of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries through modeling and simulation, supporting safer and more reliable energy storage systems for the marine and offshore industries.The JDP brings together ABS’s technical expertise in classification, verification, and standards development with leadership from Siemens Energy in digital simulation and industrial technology innovation. The collaboration aims to create new insights into how lithium-ion battery systems behave under extreme conditions…

DNV and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development and verification of an optimized 200,000 cubic meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier.The new design aims to deliver improved operational efficiency and enhanced terminal compatibility compared to previous vessel designs.Under the agreement, DNV will carry out design verification of HD HHI’s streamlined LNG carrier, focusing on ensuring higher efficiency…

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has launched Fire (C, Risk), a new risk-based notation developed to enhance the assessment of fire safety arrangements on board container ships. The notation is accompanied by guidance to support shipowners, designers, and operators in selecting appropriate, best-practice mitigations based on the specific fire risk profile of a vessel. The new notation, introduced in the July 2025 update to LR’s Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, is the first of its kind to apply the LR ShipRight Risk Based Certification (RBC) methodology to container ship fire safety.

An integrated Li-ion battery bank recently caught fire onboard an inspected passenger vessel when loosely crimped lugs overheated. While no one was injured and the vessel sustained minimal damage, this casualty highlights safety hazards unique to Li-ion batteries. All integrated (installations used for propulsion and electrical power) Li-ion battery systems on inspected vessels must undergo engineering plan review, be fitted with supporting safety systems, be tested and inspected at installation and periodically afterward…

Korean Register (KR) signed a MOU with HD Hyundai Samho to jointly develop AI-based solutions for ship design and analysis.This is a part of a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at enhancing design productivity and strengthening the capabilities of ship design engineers in the rapidly evolving shipbuilding landscape, focused on leveraging AI to build a more efficient and accurate ship design system. The two objective are: The development of an AI-powered optimization and structural assessment solution for hull support arrangement…

Ammonia-to-power solutions company Amogy has been issued a new technology qualification (NTQ) letter for concept design verification by classification society the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).Amogy has developed an innovative ammonia-to-electrical power system that splits, or “cracks,” liquid ammonia into its base elements of hydrogen and nitrogen, which then funnels the hydrogen into a fuel cell, generating high-performance power.The ABS NTQ services offer guidance on early adoption and efficient implementation of new technologies…

Big data, advanced computers and AI are allowing vessel designers to prepare models that leave essentially nothing to chance.“Lastly, it may be of considerable importance to form from the draught a block model of the vessel from which a still more accurate judgment may be formed of the fitness and beauty of the body. And should any defect be discovered, farther alterations must still be made, till the draught and the model are perfectly approved of. These different alterations and repeated calculations may appear very tedious…

Signet Sirius, the first of two ART 92-32W Rotortugs was recently delivered by Signet Maritime at their Pascagoula Shipbuilding and Repair facility. This is the first ART Rotortug that Signet has built and operated in their fleet. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd. in collaboration with RotorTug BV, the Advanced Rotortugs (ART) incorporate the patented triple Z-drive Rotortug propulsion layout, featuring omni-directional maneuverability, and the benefits of a fully redundant and precise propulsion machinery configuration.

DNV has granted a design verification report (DVR) for the AI-based autonomous navigation system "HiNAS Control". This system was a joint project between Avikus, a navigation specialist, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Following the evaluation, the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR) has also given an Approval in Principle (AiP) for this system. The "HiNAS Control" system employs artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) to integrate data from different navigation tools.

Korean Register (KR) has awarded Approval in Principle to K Shipbuilding and ForceTEC for their design technology focusing on ship cyber resilience in accordance with the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Unified Requirement (UR) E26.KR, K Shipbuilding, and ForceTEC in January embarked on a joint research project aimed at applying and validating the rules of ship cyber resilience, in a proactive response to the forthcoming adoption of IACS UR E26.IACS UR E26, introduced in April 2022, establishes unified requirements for cyber resilience in ships.

FORCE Technology has expanded its engineering design and testing services portfolio to provide remote access to high fidelity maritime navigation simulation for the purpose of testing planned port and harbor construction projects. The new SimFlex Cloud for engineering studies unlocks time and cost savings during the planning and design phase of maritime infrastructure projects as proposed developments can be evaluated in real-time and under highly realistic conditions without…

Crowley has been selected by Senesco Marine to provide design verification and production packaging for a hybrid-electric passenger vehicle ferry for Casco Bay Lines of Portland, Maine.Under the contract, Crowley will use its development experience in electric and hybrid propulsion systems to verify the contract design by Elliott Bay Design Group and develop the production package that is necessary for Senesco Marine to begin construction. The production package provides critical…

Sanmar has delivered its first Tier lll tugboat to Buksér og Berging AS, the first of two environmentally-friendly tugs ordered by the Norwegian operator. Built at Sanmar’s shipyard at Altinova in Turkey, the new tug has been named Bamse by its owners.Based on the TRAktor 3000-Z design from Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd, the 30.45m LOA Bamse has a molded beam of 12.8m and navigational draft of 6.35m. It was delivered at the end of May and will carry out escort duties from Brevik, in Norway.

3D digital design can save ‘dollars on the deck plate’ during construction while maintaining safety, says to Patrick Ryan, Senior Vice President, Global Engineering and Technology, ABS.Last year ABS, Robert Allan, Signet and USCG collaborated on a project that would be the first commercial vessel in U.S. history to be produced using only 3D models in design and construction for all structures. While the process used to deliver this RAL-designed Advanced Rotortug (ART) is historic…

Will Ayers has accepted a position as Chief Electrical Engineer with Elliott Bay Design Group (EBDG) of Seattle. He brings to his role over a decade's worth of experience in marine electrical engineering, which includes extensive use of USCG and class society rules, and all aspects of electrical drawing development with a focus on large, passenger vessels. Ayers brings to EBDG experience in high voltage engineering and control and monitoring systems. He is highly proficient in onelines…

Classification society RINA has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI) to create an interface to the SDARI 3D Ship Model, marking another step toward 3D design verification.SDARI is a member of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and is one of the largest and most prolific research and design institutes in China. Its services cover the full design life cycle from preliminary feasibility study…

A fleet of specially-designed, durable and productive Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor Cranes is enhancing supply chain efficiency for Winning International Group.The cranes play a critical role in Winning International Group’s supply chain, by loading 30,000 tonnes per day of bauxite from feeder barges onto a mother vessel, ready for shipment between China and West Africa.“Our Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor Cranes have proven themselves in a rough open-sea environment. They have been custom-tailored to our bauxite handling application…

Quality Liquefied Natural Gas Transport, LLC (“Q-LNG”) announced its further commitment to support the cruise line industry and its liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) marine fueling needs by executing a letter of intent (“LOI”) with VT Halter Marine, Inc. (“VT Halter”) to construct an 8,000m3 LNG Bunkering Vessel on speculation.CEO, Shane Guidry, commented, “With the past and recent announcements by major cruise lines to build and deliver LNG powered cruise ships to the U.S. market, Q-LNG is committed to deliver the safest, most cost effective solution to the cruise line industry.”This contract represents a continuation of Q-LNG’s commitment to developing LNG fueling infrastructure in North America.

Robert Allan Ltd. has completed the design of a new TRAktor 3000-Z escort tug for Bukser og Berging of Lysaker, Norway who have placed an order for two of the vessels with Sanmar Shipyards of Turkey. The design was developed working closely with both Bukser og Berging and Sanmar to arrive at a design achieving not only the Owner’s requirements but also suiting Sanmar’s tug building practice. Bukser og Berging already operates several Robert Allan Ltd. designs and these two new…

ABS Group Ltd. has received a contract to provide third-party certification and design verification services for Hexicon AB for the planned Dounreay Tri Floating Offshore Wind Farm demonstrator project in Scotland. The Dounreay Tri Project, expected to be operational in 2018, is being developed by Hexicon and its partners to pilot a novel floating foundation design for offshore wind. When completed, the project will consist of two wind turbines, up to 6 MW each, mounted on Hexicon's platform that will be located offshore northern Scotland. According to Hexicon, the platforms allow wind turbines to be deployed efficiently in remote areas where winds are stronger and more stable and the platforms are not limited by water depth.

The ShipSpace product is a next-generation Virtual Reality (VR) Design Verification Tool that allows designers, engineers and key stakeholders to validate design ideas and communicate effectively about vessel concepts and designs. The product consists of computer hardware and software on the customer’s premises and in the cloud. KNUD E. HANSEN will be showcasing ShipSpace, a new Virtual Reality (VR) tool to aid ship designers and engineers, at the SMM in Hamburg. Interested parties…

ABS weighs in on the way forward for marine autonomous systems and navigation technology. The era of digitization and hyper-connectivity is taking the maritime industry on a journey as it transitions from ‘smart’ to remotely operated and then, to autonomous vessels. The OSV sector – and offshore workboats in general – may well be leading that transition, with some projections for remote-controlled vessels as soon as next year. Many new technologies (sensors, navigational systems…

No matter what route you take, time is marching on and that means compliance requirements, inspections and audits are just around the corner. This July, major sections of the Subchapter M regulation will enter into force as the towing industry begins the process of certifying as many as 5,700 U.S.-flagged vessels that fall under the remit of the new safety and environmental standards. Demand for technical support from third-party organizations (TPO) such as ABS has been escalating…