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William J Sember News

23 Mar 2011

ABS Says Time Is Now for Floating LNG Concept

ABS Vice President of Global Gas William J. Sember. Photo courtesy ABS.

ABS Vice President of Global Gas William J. Sember said the classification society is in advanced stages of design review for a number of Floating LNG (FLNG) concepts, as this technology moves ever closer to reality. Speaking at the Gastech 2011 conference, where he chaired the technical session on FLNG terminals and systems, Sember noted that as recently as five years ago, floating solutions for the import and export of LNG were still considered new and novel concepts. “Today…

11 May 2010

ABS and CCS Conduct Joint LNG Forum

Increased interest in the building of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers at Chinese shipyards spurred the recent Large LNG Carriers Forum, held in Shanghai, and conducted jointly by classification societies ABS and CCS (China Classification Society) in conjunction with leading LNG operators. More than 150 representatives from the Chinese government, shipowners, shipbuilders, designers, energy corporations and universities attended the forum. Topics presented by leading industry participants Poten & Partners, NYK Line LNG Group and BG Americas included the global LNG market outlook, LNG carrier specifications and LNG carrier operations and fleet management.

27 May 2009

ABS New Management in Europe, Asia

Effective 1 July, ABS will introduce new senior management in its Europe and Pacific divisions. At that time, William J. Sember, currently President and COO, ABS Europe Ltd, based in London, will return to Houston as Vice President Global Marketing, responsible for further developing client relations in all sectors. Todd Grove, President and COO of the Pacific Division of ABS will move from Singapore to London, assuming the position of President and COO, ABS Europe Ltd. “Europe remains the center of our shipowner client activity,” said ABS Chairman and CEO Robert D. Somerville. Grove has previously served as President of the Americas Division of ABS and, prior to that, as Vice President Western Europe, based in London.

18 May 2009

ABS Repositions UK Country Management

ABS has relocated the center of the class society’s survey and administrative activities for the United Kingdom from London to Newcastle. ABS Country Manager for the UK, Colin Brookman, has moved to the existing ABS office in the north eastern city. “With management of our UK activities in Newcastle, an expansion of our Glasgow office, and London as our Divisional headquarters, we will be better positioned to meet the needs of all of our UK-based clients,” said William J. Sember, President and COO of the European Division of ABS. Sember, noting the resurgence of Newcastle and Glasgow as major shipping centers, also announced the relocation of District Principal Surveyor UK/Ireland, Steve Watts, from London to Glasgow to increase ABS representation in the important ship management center.

03 Sep 2003

News: ABS Classes New-Build GSF 'Constellation I' Jack-Up

Continued frontier development is driving industry's need to refurbish and significantly modify many of the world's 388 active jack-up units for novel projects, improved efficiency and sometimes harsh environments. Frontier development also is spurring the building of new units. Responding to the technical challenges posed by these modifications and the need for new designs, ABS has released a detailed technical Commentary to its Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs). The commentary-a further step in providing industry more specific direction on how to apply ABS Rules to these new projects-particularly focuses on jack-ups, which are the predominant type of drilling unit addressed in the Rules for Building and Classing MODUs.

30 Nov 2001

ABS Announces Executive Appointments

The ABS Board of Directors announces executive appointments. Effective January 1, 2002 the following staff will assume new leadership positions: Robert J. Bauerle, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer; Gary A. Latin, Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer; Dr. Donald Liu, Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer; and Vincent F. ABS promoted James C. Card to Senior Vice President, Technology. Card will assume the overall management responsibilities of ABS' global technology and research team. The board also approved the election of William J. Sember to a new corporate officer position of Vice President, Offshore Development. Sember is currently serving as Vice President Technology & Business Development, ABS Europe. Texas.

23 Apr 2002

Industry Leaders Elected To ABS Membership

Twenty-four prominent shipping industry executives have been elected as new Members of ABS bringing the classification society's worldwide membership to 817. The members, each eminent in their maritime field of endeavor, provide broad governance and oversight of ABS. Members are drawn from various sectors of the marine, offshore and related industries worldwide. Timothy J. Lawrence R. James J. John R. RADM. Robert C. Vittorio Portunato, Managing Director, Portunato & C.S.R.L. John F. Reinhart, CEO, Maersk Line. William J. H. W.

01 May 2002

ABS Discusses Floating Production Systems

William J. Sember,ABS Vice President of Offshore Development recently told delegates at the Institute of Petroleum’s Annual Conference in London that the increased popularity of floating production systems for oil production has highlighted the absence of clear and internationally agreed-upon standards for the design, construction and operation of hull structure, process equipment and mooring systems. Source: ABS Offshore News

06 May 2002

ABS Announces Guidance Notes

Responding to industry demand for offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, ABS launches its "Guidance Notes for Building and Classing Offshore LNG Terminals" at this year's annual Offshore Technology Conference. The Guidance Notes provide industry with a comprehensive document outlining ABS procedures for LNG classification and cross-references ABS and other relevant industry documents for building LNG terminals. "Although industry has successfully dealt with oil and gas processing facilities on Floating Production Storage Units for a number of years, the liquefaction and cryogenic storage of LNG offshore is a whole new arena.

10 May 2002

ABS Prepares For Anticipated LNG Growth

With the global LNG (liquefied natural gas) market forecast to double in size over the next decade, industry is readying to provide ample liquefaction capacity to meet demand. In the United States alone, LNG imports reached 4.9 million tons in 2000, about 5 percent of the global LNG trade, and up from 3.4 million tons in 1999. Drivers for the rapid LNG growth include continued demand for a cleaner-burning fuel and the need to bring "stranded" gas from deepwater and remote areas to market. Concern over long-term U.S. gas supply; a larger number of new supply projects; and lower LNG infrastructure costs from a decade ago also are contributors to the LNG growth spurt in recent years. But perhaps the reality of Sept.

10 May 2002

ABS Announces Guidance Notes At OTC 2002

Responding to industry demand for offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, ABS launches its "Guidance Notes for Building and Classing Offshore LNG Terminals" at this year's annual Offshore Technology Conference. The Guidance Notes provide industry with a comprehensive document outlining ABS procedures for LNG classification and cross-references ABS and other relevant industry documents for building LNG terminals. "Although industry has successfully dealt with oil and gas processing facilities on Floating Production Storage Units for a number of years, the liquefaction and cryogenic storage of LNG offshore is a whole new arena.

15 Nov 2001

Sember Appointed ABS VP For Offshore Development

William J. Sember has been appointed vice president offshore development for ABS. Currently, Sember serves as vice president technology & business development, ABS Europe. He will relocate to ABS Worldwide Headquarters in Houston, Texas and assume the new responsibilities effective January 1, 2002. During his 26-year career at ABS, Sember has held a succession of senior positions after starting as a field surveyor, including head of the offshore engineering department and vice president of operations for the eastern region of ABS Europe. Chapter, and the American Petroleum Institute (API) where he was chairman of the Subcommittee on Floating Systems. (IACS) Working Party on Drilling Units.

27 Nov 2006

Sember Named President and COO of ABS Europe

ABS has named William J. President and COO for one of its three divisions, ABS Europe, effective 1 January 2007. Sember replaces Christopher J. who moves to the organization’s worldwide headquarters in Houston, TX, USA to assume the role of President and Chief Operating Officer. surveyor after serving at sea as a marine engineer. Eastern Europe. importantly, our clients,” says ABS Chairman and CEO Robert D. Somerville. of the offshore exploration and production units around the world. Party on Drilling Units. the Center for LNG. the Board for the Centre for Marine CNG Inc. located in St. Newfoundland, Canada. gas. Program at Harvard Business School. license and is a licensed professional engineer. Sember will be located at the ABS Europe headquarters in London.

05 Aug 2003

ABS Classes New-Build GSF ‘Constellation I’ Jack-Up

Continued frontier development is driving industry's need to refurbish and significantly modify many of the world's 388 active jack-up units for novel projects, improved efficiency and sometimes harsh environments. Frontier development also is spurring the building of new units. Responding to the technical challenges posed by these modifications and the need for new designs, ABS has released a detailed technical Commentary to its Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs). The commentary—a further step in providing industry more specific direction on how to apply ABS Rules to these new projects—particularly focuses on jack-ups, which are the predominant type of drilling unit addressed in the Rules for Building and Classing MODUs.

21 Oct 2005

Sember Honored By U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

The U.S. Vice President of Energy Development William J. 19-21. by an alumnus of the USMMA at Kings Point, New York. Lauren S. with building the institution’s outstanding engineering department. was unanimous. “I am both humbled and honored to be selected,” said Sember. sea as a marine engineer. Development. worldwide. associated offshore terminals. Societies (IACS) Working Party on Drilling Units. the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. engineer.

23 Oct 2005

ABS Energy VP Sember Honored by USMMA

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) honored ABS’ Vice President of Energy Development William J. Sember with its RearAdmiral Lauren S. McCready Award during the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) Annual Maritime Technology Conference & Expo in Houston, TX, October 19-21. The award recognizes outstanding commitment and achievement to the maritime industry by an alumnus of the USMMA at Kings Point, New York. It is named after RearAdmiral Lauren S. McCready, one of the founders and builders of the USMMA who is credited with building the institution’s outstanding engineering department. Sember’s selection was unanimous. “I am both humbled and honored to be selected,” said Sember.