Research & Development Expands in Singapore
ABS has introduced a new research and development (R&D) initiative in Singapore. The Singapore Innovation and Research Center (SIRC), which will be led by Dr. Gu Hai, will leverage the success of the Singapore Offshore Technology Center and expand into new areas of research such as subsea and drilling technologies, electrical controls and automation systems, risk-based decision-making and dynamic safety systems.

“Our organization recognizes the growing role that Singapore is playing in the marine and offshore industries,” said ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. “These initiatives will allow ABS to deliver more value in a country that is essential to regional development.” Read more.

Global Performance Center Expands ABS Presence in Singapore
In a move to address Singapore’s growth as a global marine and offshore hub, ABS is expanding its workforce, increasing its research efforts and establishing a Global Performance Center as part of a regional expansion program.

ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki said the new Global Performance Center will serve as a focal point for what the organization views as the next generation of safety systems – high-tech innovative solutions addressing safety risks inherent with today’s operations. “The center will also incorporate members of our world-class Energy Project Development group to build a global resource that will tackle important issues such as energy efficiency, operational performance and life cycle planning,” he said. Read more.

ABS to Class X-BOW PSVs
ABS has been selected to class two Ulstein-designed PX121-type platform supply vessels (PSVs) that were ordered by Vroon Offshore Services (VOS) and will be built at China’s COSCO Guangdong Shipyard.

The PX121 design features the Ulstein X-BOW, an advanced bow design that improves handling in rough sea and expands the vessel’s operational window to include more harsh weather environments. The shape of the bow also reduces power consumption and improves fuel efficiency. Read more.

Presentations Expand OTC Presence
ABS extended its client outreach with presentations in its Hospitality Suite at the 2013 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston.

ABS Managing Principal Engineer Qing Yu kicked off the series on Monday, 6 May with a presentation on advances in floating offshore wind installations. ABS Managing Senior Principal Engineer Milton Korn followed with a discussion on the recent progress in subsea electrification. ABS Risk Consulting Director Cris DeWitt wrapped up the day with an explanation of the advantages of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing. Read more.

ABS Technical Papers Explore Current Offshore Topics at OTC in Houston
“Liuhua 11-1 FPS Life Extension: Classification Society’s Perspective,” Wei Qian, ABS Engineering Specialist, China Offshore Technology Center

“Development of Design Criteria for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines,” Qing Yu, ABS Managing Principal Engineer, Offshore Technology

“Gulfstar Spar VIM Responses in Flume Tank,” Kenneth Huang, ABS Senior Managing Principal Engineer, Offshore Engineering

“Execution of New Drillship Project: Perspectives from Owner, Class, Builder and Designer,” Christina Wang, ABS Director, Marine Technology and Suck-Hwan Lee, ABS Principal Engineer, Offshore Engineering

“Service Life and the Definition of Failure of Coatings and Cathodic Protection,” Brian Gibbs, ABS Risk Consulting Director and Thomas Graf, ABS Risk Consulting Senior Consultant

“Biofouling in Marine and Offshore,” Chao Wei, ABS Principal Engineer, Shared Technology

Terry Hickey, ABS Marine Services Regional Manager co-chaired the “Next Generation Advancements in Exploration and Production Vessels” session; and Johnny Eliasson, ABS Manager, Environmental Solutions co-chaired the “Coatings Asset Protection” session.

Anadarko Selects ABS to Class Heidelberg Spar
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation is adding to its production assets with the construction of the Heidelberg truss spar. The operator has selected ABS to class the new unit, which is slated for work in the Gulf of Mexico.

The project extends the long relationship between Anadarko and ABS. The Heidelberg spar will be Anadarko’s eighth spar in the Gulf, all of which are classed by ABS. Anadarko also operates two other ABS-classed floating units – a tension leg platform and a semisubmersible. Read more.

Arctic Workshop Series Continues in Newfoundland
ABS engineers are working to push back the technology barriers to Arctic operations through collaborative efforts with industry and academia. An ongoing invitational workshop series, initiated in 2012, provides a forum where experts can gather to talk about operational challenges and find ways to develop technology solutions.

More than 100 ice experts took part in the most recent event in the ABS Arctic Workshop series in St. John’s, Newfoundland, in March, where discussion focused on safety and integrity management in harsh environment operations. Read more.

Workshop Series at COTC Provides Research Platform
Researchers at the ABS China Offshore Technology Center (COTC) in Shanghai are providing a platform for members from the offshore and academic communities to discuss their views on significant trends and developments that affect China’s offshore industry.

According to ABS COTC Manager Shewen Liu, technology leaders and industry organizations are sharing their latest research findings through a series of workshops with the hope of determining new ways to address local challenges. “Our goal is to be a resource for both communities as they find a way to move forward,” he says. Read more.

Offshore Courses Offer Insight
The ABS Academy is offering a Nondestructive Examination (NDE) course in Houston on 28 June for both ship and shore-based personnel who want to learn about NDE requirements. The course covers common methods and practices and how to perform an NDE in accordance with the ABS Rules, a review of the terminology and a discussion of the advantages and limitations of this approach.

Another course scheduled for the summer discusses ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006 Compliance and will take place 25-26 July in Singapore. The MLC provides the most comprehensive code to date to address seafarers’ rights and the obligations of flag States and shipowners. Read more.

LNG Fueled Containership Design Granted AIP
ABS has granted Denmark-based Odense Maritime Technology (OMT) approval in principle (AIP) for a large two-island LNG fueled containership design.

The vessel concept incorporates a slow speed dual fuel main propulsion engine using a high pressure gas supply of 300 to 350 bar and medium speed dual fuel auxiliary engines using a low pressure gas supply of approximately 5 to 10 bar. All gas supply lines are enclosed using the double barrier concept established by the IGC Code which enables the use of conventional, non-hazardous machinery spaces. Read more.

New Design for Small LNG Carrier Approved
ABS has granted French engineering company Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) approval in principle for a 32,000 m³ capacity LNG carrier design.The reason for this innovation, according to ABS Vice President of LNG, Patrick Janssens, is the emergence of new markets that have led to a keen interest in smaller LNG carrier designs.

Potential markets for these smaller carriers include inland transportation, bunkering, feeder trade, archipelago trade in regions such as the Caribbean and coastal distribution. Janssens believes these smaller vessels will help balance regional demand, particularly in China, where several companies are evaluating LNG carriers in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 m³ for regional redistribution from large satellite terminals. Read more.

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Guide for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines Released
Using the results from recent studies of floating wind turbines, ABS has developed and released the ABS Guide for Building and Classing Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Installations.

The new Guide provides criteria for the design, construction, installation and survey of permanently-sited floating offshore wind turbine installations. It addresses floating support structures, stationkeeping systems, onboard machinery, and equipment and systems that are not part of the turbine Rotor-Nacelle Assembly. Read more.

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ABS develops and verifies standards for design, construction and operational maintenance of marine and offshore facilities. Currently, ABS has more than 30 Rules and Guides available relating to the offshore and energy industries.

Latest Offshore Guides updates include: 

Rules and Guides

• UPDATE: Guide for Building and Classing Bottom-founded Offshore Wind Turbine Installations (2013) #176
• NEW: Guide for Dynamic Positioning Systems (2012) #191
• NEW: Guidance Notes on Biofouling Management Plans (2013) #192
• NEW: Guide for Portable Accommodation Modules (2013) #193
• NEW: Guide for the Classification Notation Thruster-Assisted Mooring (TAM, TAM (Manual)) for Mobile Mooring Systems (2013) #194
• NEW: Guide for Building and Classing Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Installations (2013) #195
• NEW: Guidance Notes on Management of Change for the Marine and Offshore Industries (2013) #196
• NEW: Guidance Notes on Accidental Load Analysis and Design for Offshore Structures (2013) #197
• NEW: Guidance Notes on Job Safety Analysis for the Marine and Offshore Industries (2013) #198

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