ABS Forms Hong Kong Technical Committee

 

ABS continues to work closely with industry through its extensive international network of technical committees that advise ABS on Rule development. ABS has expanded this network with the formation of the organization's 19th technical advisory committee, the ABS Hong Kong Technical Committee.

The purpose of the newly formed committee is to promote the exchange of technical views on ABS Rules through close cooperation with industry. Through this forum for open discussion about evolving technical challenges, ABS can continue its close alignment between the ABS research and development program and industry needs.

"Active dialogue at the meeting and thoughtful feedback from the members on both the ABS Rules and current and future technical issues demonstrates the value of the committee for both ABS and industry," says ABS CTO Todd Grove.

The inaugural ABS Hong Kong Technical Committee meeting took place on 20 March. Nearly 40 members from leading shipowners, shipping enterprises, ship management companies and consultancy firms based in Hong Kong attended.

James S. C. Tai, General Manager cum Technical Director, Fleet Management Department, Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) Ltd., a long-term member of the ABS Southeast Asia and Middle East Technology Committee, delivered a speech at the meeting. "We are proud to contribute our expertise to assist ABS in future Rule development," he said.

Tai pointed to his personal involvement in rule development through a five-year effort among OOCL, ABS and Samsung on real-time monitoring of 8,000 TEU containerships in the 2000s. The measurement data gathered through this effort provided insight to containership performance with response to whipping and springing and contributed to development of the Guidance Notes on Whipping Assessment for Container Carriers.

The ABS Hong Kong Technical Committee is scheduled to be held annually in Hong Kong as part of ABS' global Rule development process.