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Updates, Developments and Advances in Combat and Patrol Craft

My first visit in 2007 to the American Society of Naval Engineers’ (ASNE) Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) was an eye-opener. Having built a naval architecture career with frigates, destroyers and other large naval and commercial ships, I was eager to learn of the smaller craft used by the U.S. Navy and other government and military bodies. As my flight into Norfolk, Va. descended over Chesapeake Bay…
EPS Plans to Order Ammonia Dual-fuel Gas Carrier from HHI

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…
ABS Report Examines Hydrogen and Carbon Value Chains

The potential for carbon markets and pricing to reshape global shipping, as well as the impact of the emerging hydrogen and carbon value chains, are explored in-depth in the latest support for the industry’s decarbonization ambitions from ABS.The groundbreaking analysis is at the heart of the fourth edition of the ABS Setting the Course to Low Carbon Shipping series, as well as insights on the industry’s…
ABS Grants AIP to SDARI for Approach to Stern Tube Design

ABS has granted Approval in Principle (AIP) to the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) for its vessel design with a novel aft layout, which eliminates pollution and promotes efficient vessel operations.The SDARI design, developed in cooperation with Thordon Bearings Inc. and the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), introduces a new approach to the vessel’s aft layout…
McAllister Taps ABS for Sustainability Reporting

ABS is supporting McAllister on its sustainability journey with greenhouse gas inventory and sustainability reporting services for its fleet of more than 75 tugboats, crew boats and barges.ABS specialists worked with McAllister’s team to calculate its operational carbon intensity and benchmark the performance of its fleet, leading up to an Environmental, Societal and Governance (ESG) report. The team helped McAllister establish a transparent governance and stakeholder engagement strategy…
New Routines on the Bridge in the Digital World

Like every sector of cargo and passenger shipping, “digitalization”—where computerized processes are replacing onboard routines previously handled manually— is an ongoing trend coastwise, on the waterways and harbors. Regulatory compliance, especially with Subchapter M for towing vessels, has also driven choices of onboard equipment with digital interfaces to software and online platforms for record…
ABS Publishes Guidance on Hybrid Electric Power Systems

Classification society ABS has published new technical guidance on hybrid electric power systems (HEPS) for vessels.Available for download from the company's website, the publication, Practical Considerations for Hybrid Electric Power Systems Onboard Vessels, explores the different forms of HEPS and offers practical insight into their application on board. It explores renewable energy sources, energy storage systems…
Bunker Vessel Delivered to Hai Soon Diesel & Trading

Hai Soon Diesel & Trading (HSDT) has taken delivery of the third and final tanker in a series of bunker vessels constructed at Zhejiang Shenzhou Sunshine Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. Built to ABS class, the three 6,060 dwt oil tankers join HSDT’s 21-strong fleet to provide bunkering services to the fishing industry.“Hai Soon is committed to providing bunkering services at high seas and in ports with the highest standards of safety and service quality.
Master Boat Builders Delivers Hybrid Tug Spartan to Seabulk

Master Boat Builders, Inc. announced that earlier this month, Spartan, an electric-hybrid tugboat was delivered to Seabulk. This modern and unique tug was built at MBB’s Coden, Ala., yard for Seabulk.“The Spartan is the latest addition to our fleet and constitutes the first of two hybrid diesel-electric vessels commissioned from Master Boat Builders. She is representative of their advanced workmanship and ability to deliver modern, cutting-edge marine technology.
ABS Updates RoRo Vessel Rules in Response to Fires

Classification society ABS announced it has updated its rules addressing electric vehicles on board RoRo vessels in response to "industry concerns" over a number of recent ship fires.U.S.-based ABS said the new requirements introduced within its marine vessel rules apply to supplemental fire detection, alarms and firefighting equipment as well as provisions associated with vehicle recharging. They take effect for newbuild vessels on July 1…
ABS Withdraws Class Services for Russian Vessels

The America Bureau of Shipping (ABS), one of the world's largest ship classification societies, is withdrawing all class services involving Russian vessels, assets and companies, over the Russian invasion of Ukraine."After careful consideration of the situation in Ukraine and the Black Sea as well as the applicable sanctions, ABS has taken the decision to withdraw all Class services involving Russian vessels…
Seatools Delivers Deep-sea mineral Collection Equipment for Allseas' 'Hidden Gem'

Subsea technology company Seatools has delivered deep-sea mineral collection equipment for Allseas' Hidden Gem seabed mining ship.Seatools was responsible for the engineering, manufacturing, and qualification of the electronics, instrumentation, and hydraulics for Allseas’ pilot polymetallic nodule collection vehicle. The vehicle will be part of a pilot nodule collection test conducted by Allseas,…
Vallianz to Build All-electric, Zero Emissions Harbor Tug

A new all-electric, zero carbon emissions harbor tug currently being built at the Vallianz PT USP shipyard in Batam, Indonesia is expected to be the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region.Based on the “E-Volt Electric Tug” design by SeaTech Solutions International Pte Ltd, the e-tug will be driven by a fully-classed electric battery system provided by Canadian-based Shift Clean Energy. This follows…
ABS Names Fradelos VP of Regulatory Affairs

Classification society ABS announced it has appointed specialist Stamatis Fradelos as vice president of regulatory affairs.Fradelos, who returns to ABS’ Athens office, where he was previously business director and member of the IACS Environmental Panel, will spearhead ABS engagement with administrations and regulatory bodies and support the industry with compliance guidance.“ABS is engaged with maritime…
ABS Appoints Paul Sells to Drive the Next Generation of Digital Solutions

Classification society ABS announced it has appointed digital product veteran Paul Sells to lead its global digital solutions development.“Paul joins our team to continue building on ABS’ strong track record of digital innovation to support our clients in all aspects of their business: improved safety, operational excellence, and sustainability,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS chairman, president and CEO.
World's First Ammonia-fuel Ready Vessel Delivered

Chinese shipyard New Times Shipbuilding has delivered what is said to be the first ammonia-fuel ready vessel in the world.The newly built Kriti Future, recently handed over to owner Avin International, is a 274-meter-long, 156,500 DWT Suezmax tanker classed by ABS and flying the Greek flag.The ship is currently conventionally fueled but complies with the ABS Ammonia Ready Level 1 requirements, indicating it is designed to be converted to run on ammonia in the future.
Friede and Goldman's WTIV Integrated Feeder Barge Gets ABS AiP

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has granted its Approval in Principle (AIP) to a coordinated design for a wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) in conjunction with the BargeRack feeder barge system by Friede and Goldman (F&G).The design enables the Jones Act-compliant barge in a lifting system that F&G says reduces motion and increases the window of operational time. The design was reviewed in accordance with the ABS 2017 Guidance Notes on Review and Approval of Novel Concepts…
New Methanol-fueled Bulker Design Unveiled

An innovative methanol-fueled bulk carrier has been designed in a joint development project (JDP) between ABS, SDTR Marine Pte Ltd. (SDTR) and the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI).SDTR supplied key operational data and SDARI developed the design with ABS support and review. ABS also provided an analysis of methanol as fuel market outlook, including a vessel performance evaluation…
Nakilat Taps ABS to Develop Decarbonization Plan

Qatari shipping company Nakilat, one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping operators, said it has partnered with U.S.-based classification society ABS to develop its decarbonization strategy.Over the past months, Nakilat’s project team has worked with ABS sustainability specialists to map out decarbonization pathways for the company’s fleet of 69 LNG carriers and four very large liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers.
ABS Grants AIP for Ammonia Bunkering Vessel Design

Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. on Tuesday announced that the company, along with ITOCHU Corporation has obtained approval in principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for an ammonia bunkering vessel concept.The project is part of a joint development study on ammonia fuel supply chain in Singapore. MOL, which already has experience and knowledge of liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessels…