During ABS’ event in Athens, representatives from the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Chevron Shipping Company and Clarkson Research Services, gathered to discuss the role technology plays in the shipping industry and the path to IMO 2050.
In line with IMO’s World Maritime Day theme for 2019 ‘Empowering Women in the Maritime Community’, ABS issued a video depicting few of the organization’s female leaders discussing career advice for women pursuing a career in the maritime industry.
ABS launched its ABS Low Carbon Shipping Outlook which defines ship technologies, operational efficiencies and alternative fuels and energy sources that are needed to achieve the 2030 and 2050 goals. To achieve cleaner and low carbon emissions, the shipping industry will need a better understanding of existing technologies and strategies while new technology, including fuels, will need to be developed.
ABS published an advisory addressing the importance of subsea inspection, maintenance, and repair. In the advisory it discusses options for damaged equipment and the procedure for life extension assessments. The IMR aspects of the subsea integrity management provide detailed methods and action items for managing the integrity of each system or components of equipment.
ABS published a report, providing an introduction to air lubrication technology for shipbuilders, shipowners, and other interested parties. In the paper, ABS presents a summary of reported full-scale sea trials and current developments. Air lubrication systems are recognized by IMO as a Category B-1 “Innovative Energy Efficiency Technology” as described in MEPC.1/Circ.815.
ABS published the Guide for Smart Functions for Marine Vessels and Offshore Units (Smart Guide) to assist marine and offshore owners and operators leverage their operational data. The Smart Guide introduces a class approach leading to the marine and offshore industries’ first set of notations to help owners and operators qualify and use smart functions.
ABS, Google Cloud and SoftServe completed a pilot project applying artificial intelligence models to find levels of corrosion and coating breakdown on ships and offshore structures. The project showed the accuracy of AI in detecting and assessing structural anomalies commonly found during visual inspection. AI techniques could also be used to analyze images over time to understand corrosion and coating breakdown trends.
ABS is cooperating with CINS members over the past six months to develop best stowage strategy guidelines. After a three-month trial, the best practice guidelines will be published. The collaboration gathers key industry stakeholders to examine the challenges and risks container ship owners and operators face when stowing dangerous goods.
ABS launched the ABS Global Sustainability Centre aiming to help maritime transition to a sustainable, lower emissions industry. The Centre plans include leading an industry education program, seminars and lectures, designed to raise awareness of maritime sustainability technologies and carbon reduction strategies.
ABS announced a partnership with Mission Secure to provide cyber protection. Based on the FCI Cyber Risk Methodology, the incorporation of the MSi platform aims to provide ABS with better cyber defence of industrial control systems that operate modern vessels and offshore platforms. FCI Cyber Risk Methodology provides a way to count and quantify risk.
