John Mcdonald News

ABS and Asiatic Lloyd Maritime LLP, member of the AL Group, have signed a joint development project to study the feasibility of converting the fuel system of an ultramax bulk carrier, from conventional diesel to methanol.The study is focused on a series of up to eight ABS Classed ultramax bulk carriers ordered for construction in the New Hantong Shipyard, China, for AL Group.“Converting vessel propulsion systems to take advantage of the decarbonization potential afforded by methanol is going to be an important part of the industry’s green energy transition.

Classification society ABS announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to review an innovative new design from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for a dual-fuel, very large ammonia carrier (VLAC) for Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd. (EPS).ABS joins project partners EPS, HHI and HHI Engine & Machinery Division, MAN Energy Solutions and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.Fueled by ammonia and liquified natural gas (LNG), the 88K/93K cbm vessel design is expected to meet the demand for greenhouse gas reduction…

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is launching a global ABS Electrification Center in Singapore to support maritime decarbonization projects.Comprised of ABS engineers and technical specialists, the center will support a range of cutting-edge electrification projects for shipowners, shipyards and other stakeholders across the Asia Pacific region and around the world, ABS said.The center will also provide support for the electrification of harbor and coastal craft aligned to the initiatives from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

Classification society ABS announced it issued an approval in principle (AIP) to South Korea's HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for their ammonia reductant supply system for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) in ammonia-fueled ships. Representatives from both companies and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) met at this week's Gastech conference in Singapore for the AIP presentation.The system utilizes…

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has awarded Approval in Principle (AIP) for Bumi Armada’s pioneering design for a floating carbon storage and injection unit (FCSIU).Bumi Armada’s FCSIU concept is a floating terminal capable of storing and injecting liquified carbon dioxide (LCO2) into depleted oil and gas fields or aquifers. This novel concept incorporates the ability to accept LCO2 deliveries in an offshore setting, the flexibility to manage LCO2 at low or medium pressure…

ABS, Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) and DHT Holdings, Inc. signed a joint development project (JDP) to optimize a new, very large crude carrier (VLCC) with liquified natural gas (LNG) propulsion that meets Class and statutory requirements.The dual fuel vessel is intended to provide flexibility for operations and to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.The agreement—signed at the Gastech 2023 conference in Singapore—will see ABS, GTT and DHT focus on optimizing the VLCC design…

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Hudong-Zhonghua (HZ) Shipyard for its new  liquified natural gas (LNG) carrier design, currently the world’s largest with 271,000 cubic meters of cargo tank capacity.The design features flexible dual-fuel propulsion and an air lubrication system for more sustainable operations. The synergy of a more efficient hull and the use of low-carbon fuel in the fuel-efficient engine is expected to translate to the lowering of the overall carbon footprint of the vessel…

Any commentator on the maritime business decarbonization voyage will offer something along the lines of "There will be multiple fuels…" With the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meetings of its Maritime Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) set for early July, it is likely that targets for emissions will be tightened. Whatever mileposts that the IMO actually establishes, there will be no prescriptions handed down on how to get there. By mid-2023, nearly two years after the late 2021 alternative fuels crescendo in the aftermath of the COP26 meetings in Glasgow…

ABS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher J. Wiernicki, and the Board of Directors have announced that John McDonald was elected President of ABS at its Board meeting on July 18. McDonald, who has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the company since July 2021, will take on the title of President and remain the Chief Operating Officer of the company.“John McDonald has seized the opportunity to demonstrate his leadership skills since becoming…

ABS has granted approval in principle (AiP) to an onboard carbon capture technology from Hanwha Ocean, formerly DSME.The system captures CO2 from the exhaust gas by the process of absorption, regeneration and separation. To date, a feasibility study, risk assessment and basic engineering for an onboard carbon capture system have been completed by Hanwha Ocean and supported by ABS Engineering in Busan and ABS Technology in Houston.“With advanced solutions in technology and compliance…

ABS has presented Provaris Energy with an approval in principle (AIP) for its innovative gaseous hydrogen floating storage concept in a ceremony at NOR Shipping.The solution, dubbed H2Leo, has a design capacity range of 300 to 600 tonnes of hydrogen, expandable to up to 2,000 tonnes. The unit is designed for various hydrogen supply chains and applications, including bunkering for the maritime sector, intermittent/buffer storage for green hydrogen production, and long-duration storage for excess renewable energy.The AIP is the latest support from ABS for Provaris…

The EVER ALOT, the largest container ship in the world, with just over 24,000 teu capacity, has been delivered to ABS class.The vessel is the latest in a series of nine being built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China to ABS class. The 400-meter megamax-24 type ship will serve ports between Asia and Europe.“We are proud to support the design, construction and successful delivery of such a remarkable vessel through the challenges of the pandemic. As the leading class in containerships…

Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) announced it intends to order an ammonia dual-fuel gas carrier that will be built at South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for delivery as early as 2025, as shipowners explore emissions-reducing alternative fuels on their path to decarbonization.At the Posidonia trade fair in Athens on Monday, the Singapore-headquartered shipowner signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HHI, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) stating the dual fuel ammonia tanker—which could be midsize…

U.S.-based classification society ABS and South Korean shipbuilding giant Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) will work together on a series of projects aiming to advance and integrate autonomous vessel technologies.ABS specialists will work with HHI’s Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (KSOE) and its autonomous navigation subsidiary, Avikus, to integrate autonomous and remote-control functions into vessels. The work will be carried out in compliance with requirements outlined in the ABS Guide for Autonomous and Remote Control Functions.

Two maritime digital service providers have joined forces through the product integration of Kongsberg Digital’s Vessel Insight and the ABS My Digital Fleet platform.The alliance brings together data acquisition capabilities from Kongsberg Digital and ABS’ business intelligence capabilities to offer shipowners, ship managers and charterers access to powerful analytics services. It unlocks simplified access, both on board the vessel and at shoreside, to AI-powered insights that support voyage optimization through reduced fuel consumption…

John McDonald will become ABS Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer as Tony Nassif has announced his plans to retire on December 31, 2021.As part of the company’s succession planning process, McDonald will assume the head operations role on July 26, 2021. Celebrating 25 years of service with ABS this year, McDonald joined ABS in 1996 as a surveyor and served in various frontline operational roles in Korea, the Northern Europe and Africa Region and the Central Region for the former Americas Division.

A new guide published by ABS aims support the development of smart functions and condition-based approach to optimized performance that will help marine and offshore owners and operators capitalize on their operational data.Through the analytics that they provide, smart functions can proactively manage asset health and performance, providing a mechanism for sustainability and improved uptime. Smart functions can also lead to increasingly condition-based approaches to maintenance…

ABS published the Guide for Smart Functions for Marine Vessels and Offshore Units (Smart Guide) to help marine and offshore owners and operators capitalize on their operational data.The Smart Guide introduces a unique class approach leading to the marine and offshore industries' first set of notations to help owners and operators qualify and utilize smart functions. Through the analytics that they provide, smart functions can proactively manage asset health and performance, providing a mechanism for sustainability and improved uptime.

Classification society ABS has published new guidance notes detailing best practices for their use on class surveys and non-class inspections.The Guidance Notes on the Use of Remote Inspection Technologies cover pilot-operated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) and robotic crawlers, collectively known as remote inspection technologies (RIT).“The use of RITs can reduce risk for Surveyors and inspectors by lessening the need to access potentially hazardous locations at height, or other hazardous inspection areas.

The most thorough analysis of the North Sea oil and gas skills landscape ever undertaken will commence next week with nine of the U.K.’s leading energy, business and skills organizations involved. The major study is the first to examine in depth exactly how many people and what skills are needed in order to address the critical shortage in the industry both now and in the future. Senior representatives from more than 1,000 operators, contractors and organizations throughout the…

OPITO, the skills for oil and gas body, appointed a new managing director to lead the U.K. arm of the organization as the industry gears up for a major change in how it addresses its skills needs. John McDonald has taken over the reins at OPITO from Larraine Boorman who stood down in August. He brings a wealth of experience and an impressive track record in the skills, training and workforce development sector to the Aberdeen-headquartered organization. Former director of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Mr.

ABS announced the appointment of Todd Grove to the position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in a move that further underscores the strategic alignment of the classification society’s technology resources and Rule development initiatives with the operating divisions. Grove will report to ABS President and COO Christopher J. Wiernicki and be based in the society’s headquarters in Houston. Grove, a 28-year veteran of ABS, has served as President and COO of three ABS operating divisions – Europe, Pacific and Americas. He also has extensive experience in the offshore sector having served as Director, Energy Project Development and Manager, Offshore Engineering.