Tag: ABS

Kirsi Tikka, Executive VP, ABS responded to SAFETY4SEA questions providing an overall forecast for the smart shipping developments in 2017. Dr. Tikka noted that the idea of ‘smart shipping’ represents a positive shift which includes many challenges and highlighted that remote monitoring, remote maintenance and autonomous operations are the three evolutionary stages that will drive changes to ship design and construction.

The world’s first Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC), Ethane Crystal, has loaded its first shipment of ethane cargo at Enterprise Products Partner’s Morgan’s Point Terminal. The VLEC which features a length of 227.85 meters and a width of 36.49 meters, was classed by ABS in November.

ABS has published Guidance Notes presenting a method for subsea pipeline route determination that combines risk assessment techniques with Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.

ABS has published the ABS Guidance Notes on Structural Monitoring Using Acoustic Emissions which presents best practices for planning and executing Acoustic Emission Testing (AET) that promote advanced methodology for continuous structural health monitoring.

ABS was recently added as one of the newest partners to the SEA\LNG coalition. The objective of the coalition is to accelerate the widespread adoption of LNG as a marine fuel.

ABS has issued guidance notes regarding the LGC Storage Service. This Guide is applicable to liquefied gas carriers that may for certain periods be used for storage service while they maintain their appropriate liquefied gas carrier classification.

ABS has released a new comprehensive guidance providing best practices for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Recognizing that drone technology can be a powerful tool that makes surveys less intrusive and reduces work-related risks, ABS provides a path to using these new remote inspection tools to support class surveys.

ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki addressed attendees at the dedication ceremony for the new ABS Engineering Center at Stevens Institute of Technology on November 17, encouraging students to use these facilities to work toward solving industry challenges.

The ABS has issued Jacking Survey Guide to establish minimum requirements for inspection of Rack and Pinion jacking gear at Special Periodical Survey of Hull for Self-Elevating Drilling Units.

ABS has been approved by the American Waterways Operators (AWO) to carry out audits of its Responsible Carrier Program (RCP), a safety management system for tugboat, towboat and barge companies that requires AWO member companies to undergo periodic management and vessel audits conducted by an independent third party.