The Abs Guide News

In an Industry first, the provider of classification services to the offshore industry ABS partnered with Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) in developing the first two new build Drilling Rigs with Smart Notations.One of the rigs, which was delivered earlier this year for work in offshore Mexico, is already online with its performance being monitored from Singapore.In line with issuing the ABS Guide for Smart Functions for Marine Vessels and Offshore Units, Keppel O&M is recognized…

ABS has been selected to class two Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV) being retrofitted with a battery/converter system by Harvey Gulf International Marine.The Harvey Energy will become the first ABS-classed dual fuel and battery vessel and the first U.S. flagged OSV equipped with a battery/converter system. The Harvey Supporter will become the second vessel in the Harvey Gulf fleet to have a battery power system.The battery installation, which is expected to achieve the ABS class notation ESS-LiBATTERY…

The classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued an Approval in Principle (AIP) to Dutch-based SBM Offshore for its proprietary wind floater design.The global provider of floating production and mooring systems (FPSO) said that the wind floater is a TLP concept and has been designed for the full life cycle, including in-place conditions, as well as wet tow with the wind turbine installed, and mooring hook-up phase.The AIP demonstrates the successful design of the floater…

ABS released new guidance and software to assist chemical tanker owners, operators and shipyards: the ABS Guide for Materials and Welding for Stainless Steels and ABS CHEM software.The ABS Guide for Materials and Welding for Stainless Steels provides minimum requirements for properties, manufacturing processes and fabrication techniques applicable to common types of stainless steels used in the marine and offshore industries. This new guidance is particularly relevant to construction…

ABS has announced it has issued the managed pressure drilling notation ABS MPD to Seadrill for the ABS-classed West Capricorn, a 6th generation ultra-deep water semi-submersible operating in the Gulf of Mexico.This notation demonstrates system compliance with the ABS Guide for Classification and Certification of Managed Pressure Drilling Systems (MPD Guide).Seadrill’s West Capricorn is the first Column Stabilized Drilling Unit to receive the ABS MPD notation complete with the Maltese Cross…

Classification society ABS said it was selected to class a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) for Turkey’s oil and gas pipeline operator BOTAS.“As demand for gas has increased over the last decade, the supply chain has had to adapt and figure out new ways of getting gas to expanding markets,” said Jamie Smith, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer. “FSRUs, like this one for Turkey, are providing gas distributors and suppliers an efficient and effective solution for getting their product to consumers.”Planned to be built at Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard, the FSRU will have a 170,000 cubic meter storage capacity and a 1,000 MMSCFD LNG discharge capacity. The FSRU will be jetty moored off the coast of Turkey and operated by Mitsui O.S.K.

ABS announced it has awarded the world’s first Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) – Ready Notation to Ocean Rig for the ABS-classed Corcovado and Mykonos deep water drillships.The ABS MPD-Ready notation demonstrates drilling units have the necessary provisions in place to integrate equipment needed for MPD operations.“Offshore operations in deeper water continue to lead back to a need for reliable and cost-effective technologies” said ABS Executive Vice President – Global Offshore, Kenneth Richardson.

U.S. based classification society ABS said it has granted a Certificate of CyberSafety Compliance for South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries’ (SHI) Smart Ship Solution demonstrating adherence to the ABS Guide for Cybersecurity Implementation for the Marine and Offshore Industries and ISO 27000 series, IT Security Control Code of Practice. SHI’s Smart Ship Solution aims to improve vessel efficiencies using real time data from hull and equipment sensors in collaboration with land-based technical and fleet managers.

Marine News showcases the best of North America’s 2017 workboat deliveries. There is something for everyone. Notwithstanding the lingering offshore energy downturn, there were plenty of bright spots for North American shipyards in 2017. If a hull was delivered in 2017, we took a look at it, with several areas as a focus for inclusion into this edition. For starters, it is always exciting when a domestic yard delivers a vessel – or multiple vessels, for that matter – to foreign buyers. We can compete in a foreign arena; on price, quality and on-time delivery. This year was no different.

ABS has published The ABS Guide for Use of Supercapacitors in the Marine and Offshore Industries (Supercapacitor Guide) to support safe application of hybrid power in the marine and offshore industries. The maritime industry is increasingly interested in using supercapacitors as an energy storage solution when quick energy delivery is required during a peak loading condition. Particularly, offshore supply vessel (OSV) owners are considering supercapacitors to supplement energy supply during high-load operations, such as using power thrusters for dynamic positioning while station keeping. "We are developing a series of guides on energy storage systems so our clients have as many options as possible to effectively manage energy use…

ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, issued a managed pressure drilling (MPD) notation to Seadrill’s West Capella ultra-deep water drillship, demonstrating system compliance with the ABS Guide for Classification and Certification of Managed Pressure Drilling Systems (MPD Guide). “As the industry drills in ever more complex and challenging environments it is essential to integrate MPD technology with existing systems – safely – to improve efficiency and effectiveness…

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has completed the design review of the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) documentation for the VolturnUS, a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT), developed by the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center. “UMaine is pleased that its innovative design became the first floating wind turbine concrete semisubmersible hull to be reviewed by ABS, and found to meet the ABS requirements,” said Dr. Habib J. Dagher, P.E, UMaine Composites Center executive director and principal investigator.

ABS said it has updated the ABS Advisory on Exhaust Gas Scrubber Systems (Scrubber Advisory) to help industry prepare for IMO’s 2020 global sulfur cap. Central to the impending 2020 global sulfur cap are requirements to reduce the sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions from ships. Installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), commonly referred to as scrubbers, is a potential solution for owners looking to comply with the upcoming requirements. This updated Advisory includes background on air emission regulations and explores the different types of available scrubber technologies along with the associated installation and operational challenges for each.

Canadian Department of National Defense selects ABS for classification and certification services for its entire non-combatant fleet. ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, said it has been awarded the Non-Combatant Class Society (NCCS) contract by the Canadian Department of National Defense to provide classification and certification services for the Royal Canadian Navy’s non-combatant vessel fleet. “For many years, ABS has been actively involved with classing naval non-combatant vessels as a commitment to promoting ship safety…

The loading and response dynamics of an Articulated Tug & Barge (ATB) load box are complex. They typically require advanced finite element analysis methods and procedures to design an efficient support structure to ensure a durable design and to facilitate meeting Class strength requirements. To study the dynamic response of the loads imparted on the tug from the barge, a finite element analysis (FEA) is carried out. Loading conditions that include the static sea pressure, gravity loads, and reaction forces from the ATB Coupler are incorporated into the FEA analysis.

Nicole Foss, the final of Foss’ three new state-of-the-art Arctic Class tugs designed to operate in the extreme conditions of the far north, was christened last week at the Foss Waterway Seaport in Tacoma, Wash. The vessel was built at the Foss Rainier, Ore. shipyard and will enter service this summer. Foss president and CEO John Parrott made opening remarks, praising the hard work and dedication of the people, designers, and customers that made the project possible. Scott Merritt, chief operating officer of Foss also spoke, praising the team at the Rainier Shipyard.

ABS has updated the ABS Guide for Fire-Fighting Systems for On-Deck Cargo Areas of Container Carriers (FOC Guide), expanding its industry-leading guidance to the existing containership fleet. The FOC Guide goes beyond International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements for container deck firefighting capabilities by supporting owners in navigating risks based on the unique characteristics of each container load, location of the container on the vessel and various firefighting spray patterns. The FOC Guide takes a comprehensive approach to assessing firefighting system pressure and capacity, while accounting for vessel size in its requirements.

ABS held its annual Marine and Offshore Technical Committee Meetings in Houston in early May and addressed industry challenges and sharpen focus on future needs. “Collaborating with significant and recognized industry leaders representing ship owners, yards, operators, equipment manufacturers and vendors helps guide our research and development focus,” said ABS Chief Technology Officer Howard Fireman. Fireman identified four key focus areas that will help industry deal with this new data-centric world: data collection, data security, data management and data analytics.

ABS has provided a systematic approach to dropped object management and prevention. The new ABS Guide for Dropped Object Prevention for Offshore Units and Installations includes a program of requirements and best practices to protect assets, personnel and working environments from dropped object incidents. “Dropped objects are one of the leading causes of fatalities and serious injuries in the offshore oil and gas industry,” says ABS Executive Vice President for Global Offshore Ken Richardson.

ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, has published the ABS Guide for Building and Classing LNG Regasification Vessels, outlining guidance for classing LNG regasification vessels. “ABS has developed this industry-leading guidance based on extensive experience with the classification of LNG carriers,” says ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. Floating LNG regasification uses specialized ships…

ABS has published the ABS Guide for Building and Classing LNG Regasification Vessels, outlining guidance for classing LNG regasification vessels. “ABS has developed this industry-leading guidance based on extensive experience with the classification of LNG carriers,” says ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. Floating LNG regasification uses specialized ships, commonly referred to as LNG regasification vessels or Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRU), which offer a flexible and efficient way to deliver LNG to new and expanding markets. This Guide covers both purpose-built LNG regasification vessels and existing LNG carriers that are converted to operate with regasification plants onboard.

ABS, the leading provider of classification and technical services to the offshore industry, collaborated with industry experts during its annual Special Committee Meeting held recently to discuss the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs), with the goal of assuring that Rule requirements align with industry needs. “Our leadership position in the offshore sector is based on the ability to provide exceptional guidance and services,” says ABS Executive Vice President of Global Offshore Ken Richardson.

ABS said it has issued its first notation for the ABS Guide for Cybersecurity Implementation for the marine and offshore Industries. “The focus on cyber safety is increasing, and that is changing the expectations industry has for classification services,” explained ABS Chairman, President and CEO, Christopher J. The ABS CyberSafety program is aimed at mitigating the risk of cybersecurity-related conditions or incidents that could negatively affect operations. Awarding the CS1 notation (Asset…