ABS
ABS News
Marine News' Top Vessels of 2023

The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted a selection of the most notable American newbuilds delivered of 2023—from a first-of-its-kind green towboat, to the lead vessel in a series of game-changing ships to train U.S. mariners.Empire StateAs the lead vessel in a series of five new training ships being constructed to serve America's state maritime academies, Empire State is easily one…
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Joins the Maritime Technologies Forum

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has joined as an associate member, bringing regulatory and technological expertise to further support MTF’s objectives.Today, the Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF), whose founding members include ABS, DNV, Lloyd’s Register, ClassNK, Japan’s Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Norwegian Maritime Authority and the U.K.’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency…
ABS and Hanwha Ocean Partner on Digital Shipbuilding Technologies

Classification society ABS and shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean signed a strategic framework agreement to advance the digital transformation of shipbuilding.Under the agreement, ABS and Hanwha Ocean formerly known as Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd., will work together conducting joint development projects aimed at examining digital technologies related to smart yards and smart ships with a focus on safety…
ABS Approves New FPSO Newbuild Hull Design Concept

Classification society ABS announced it has granted approval in principle (AIP) for a the Sterling Streamline, a next generation concept design for large floating production storage and offloading unit (FPSO) newbuild hulls from India's Shapoorji Pallonji Energy (SPE).The design features flexible mooring configurations, 60 risers and an umbilical slots riser balcony, with an oil processing capacity of up to 250,000 barrels per day and storage capacity of minimum 2.2 million barrels of crude oil.
ABS Launches Offshore Structural Health Monitoring Notation

ABS and Singapore-based shipyard Seatrium Limited have achieved the assignment of a structural health monitoring notation for a self-elevating drilling unit (SEDU).ADMARINE 686 is the world’s first SEDU to receive the ABS SMART (SHM) Notation, recognizing its ability to monitor and analyze the condition of a range of key structural elements, supporting physics-based analysis and simulation for a holistic…
First Marine Vehicle Classed Using ABS Autonomous Guide

The Saildrone Voyager, a 10-meter commercial uncrewed surface vehicle (USV), is the first autonomous asset built to ABS Class using the ABS Requirements for Autonomous and Remote Control Functions. ABS presented the Class certificate to Saildrone at its headquarters in Alameda, Calif.The Voyager is a marine vehicle developed by Saildrone, a provider of ocean data for climate, mapping and maritime security applications using uncrewed autonomous assets.
ABS Publishes Requirements for Liquid Hydrogen Carriers

The transportation of hydrogen, a key fuel of the energy transition in maritime, is another step closer to supporting projected market demands thanks to newly published industry-leading requirements from ABS.The ABS Requirements for Liquefied Hydrogen Carriers address safety and technical standards for vessels carrying liquefied hydrogen, expanding on the corresponding IMO Resolution MSC.420(97) that was adopted in November 2016.
Partners Aim to Produce 3D-printed Propeller

ABS is joining Mencast Marine (MMPL), the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) on a project to manufacture and class a 3D-printed propeller.The collaborative project builds upon a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by ABS and MMPL that is focused on additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, for critical…
ABS and Pelagus 3D to Advance Additive Manufacturing for Spare Parts

ABS and Pelagus 3D Pte. Ltd., a joint venture company of thyssenkrupp and Wilhelmsen, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance the technologies and adoption of on-demand additive manufacturing (AM) of marine and offshore spare parts.During a three-year term, ABS and Pelagus 3D will collaborate on a variety of initiatives including the incorporation of ABS testing requirements through the Pelagus Platform for AM parts.
New Pusher Tugs Enter Service for Hidrovias do Brasil

A pair of new modern pusher tugs has entered service for Hidrovias do Brasil S.A., pushing barges containing bulk products in the Amazon River system.The newly built shallow-draft vessels, HB MAPARÁ and HB DOURADA, are RApide 4600-Z3 push boats designed by Canada's Robert Allan Ltd. (RAL) and built by Uzmar Shipyard in Izmit, Turkey.According to the designer, both vessels are designed to meet ABS and…
ABS Joins Korean Partners on 3D Printing Project

ABS signed a memorandum of understanding to work with key stakeholders in Korea to develop and demonstrate a 3D printing system for ocean-going vessels.Using a digital library for the design process, the system aims to support rapid maintenance, repair and operations by using 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), to manufacture parts on a vessel while at sea.ABS joins project partners Ulsan Metropolitan City…
ABS, Crowley Advance Augmented Reality Technology

U.S. shipping company Crowley and classification society ABS have entered an agreement to jointly explore how to advance the use of augmented and virtual reality technologies for vessels and other marine environments.The ABS partnership agreement builds on Crowley’s new service network using augmented reality on select vessels. Crew wear goggle technology to provide real-time visuals of ship equipment to remote technicians to collaborate on solutions.
ABS and AL Group to Study Methanol Fuel Conversion for Bulker

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…
ABS Wavesight and Procureship Partner to Optimize Marine Procurement

ABS-affiliated maritime software as a service (SaaS) company ABS Wavesight announced it is partnering with e-procurement platform provider Procureship to streamline maritime procurement and purchasing.The agreement will aim to provide ship owners and operators with tools to optimize their fleet operations through digitalization, reducing costs and increasing efficiency, the companies said. By offering more options for automation…
ABS Joins Project to Develop 40K cbm LCO2 Carrier

Maritime classification society ABS has joined a pioneering joint industry project (JIP) to collaborate on the development of a detailed design of a 40K cbm liquified carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier that meets Class and statutory requirements with Ecolog Services Ltd. (ECOLOG), Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. and Babcock International Liquid Gas Equipment (LGE).According to ABS, the ultimate design will maximize…
ABS Signs On Dual-fuel Ammonia Carrier Project

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)…
ABS Invests Electrification Center in Singapore to Support Green Shipping

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…
ABS Grants AiP for World’s First Carbon Emission-free LNG Carrier Design

Maritime classification society ABS has issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Hanwha Ocean for its design of a liquified natural gas (LNG) carrier equipped with an ammonia-fueled gas turbine.ABS also issued an AIP to Hanwha Power Systems for its supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power system. Efficiency improvements are reported as a result of using sCO2 as a working fluid in the turbine.The 174,000 cbm vessel would be the world’s first carbon emission-free LNG carrier.
ABS Approves Emissions Reduction Tech for Ammonia-fueled Ships

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…
ABS Approves Bumi Armada's Floating Concept for Carbon Storage and Injection

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…