American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

The first Jones Act plug-in hybrid offshore wind service operation vessel (SOV) in the United States has been christened and launched in a ceremony at the Port of New Orleans. The ABS-classed ECO Liberty was constructed by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) at its LaShip shipyard in Houma, Louisiana, and will be owned and operated by ECO for international energy company - Equinor. Use of hybrid systems The 262-foot vessel saw more than 500 local labourers donate to the vessel’s building, using American steel The 262-foot vessel saw more than 500 local labourers contribute to the vessel’s construction, using American steel and components from across the region. "The ECO Liberty is a milestone for both U.S. shipbuilding and the use of hybrid systems in offshore wind vessels. ABS is proud to support these growing sectors, helping clients navigate emerging technologies and evolving shipbuilding needs," said Miguel Hernandez, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Offshore. Variety of vessels Miguel Hernandez added: "ABS is committed to being a trusted partner for the growing offshore energy vessel fleet in the U.S."  As the pioneering provider of classification services for the global offshore industry, ABS is in a unique position to support the variety of vessels serving the fixed and floating offshore wind market, from wind turbine installation vessels, rock installation, service operation vessels, cable laying vessels and crew transfer vessels to floating heavy lift construction vessels.

ABS issued a New Technology Qualification (NTQ) certificate to HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) for their next-generation electric propulsion solution: the Medium Voltage Direct Current (MVDC) power system for ships. The Breakerless-MVDC Power System builds on HD Hyundai’s modular propulsion drive system and is the first in the world to receive an ABS NTQ certificate, indicating the technology’s feasibility and maturity through a systematic evaluation program. MVDC power system “Collaboration is key to safely accelerating the technological progress that the maritime industry demands,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. “We’re excited to deepen our relationship with HD KSOE and HD HHI, jointly exploring forward-thinking solutions that will shape and refine the next generation of vessels.” Sanghyun Kim, HD KSOE Senior Vice President, said: “The MVDC power system, now certified as new technology by ABS for both commercial and naval vessels, represents our advanced capability in marine electrification and our success in overcoming existing technological barriers. We aim to lead the commercialisation of zero-carbon electric propulsion vessels.” Long-running program The NTQ is the latest in a long-running program of collaboration between ABS, HD HHI, and HD KSOE The NTQ is the latest in a long-running program of collaboration between ABS, HD HHI, and HD KSOE and is part of an agreement announced in 2024 to explore medium-voltage direct current (MVDC) power systems on ships.  The next milestones for the project team include the development of new ABS requirements for high-voltage systems, along with a new ABS notation. Low-voltage systems are addressed in the ABS Requirements for DC Power Distribution Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications. ABS New Technology Qualification services provide vendors and end-users with a clearly defined approach to confirm new technologies perform intended functions in accordance with defined performance requirements.

ABS enhanced its CLP-V(PARR) lashing notation to include a seasonality factor, which gives additional operational flexibility to container ship operators. Introduced in 2024, the CLP-V(PARR) notation combines the ABS computer lashing program with mandatory parametric roll guidance, allowing operators to optimise stowage and lashing of containers, up to an additional tier of containers on deck, with reduced risk of loss due to parametric rolling. Route splitting approach The new seasonality factor, in combination with the route splitting approach, gives shipowners The new seasonality factor, in combination with the route splitting approach, gives shipowners the opportunity to optimise loading on each leg of a voyage, while also gaining flexibility from additional seasonal differences. “ABS employs a unique approach to calculate load reduction factors on specific routes, sections and seasons rather than on a complete voyage. With the combination of route splitting and seasonality, this new notation is offering valuable options to container operators,” said Christoph Rasewsky, ABS Global Container Sector Lead. Risk of cargo loss “By analysing sea conditions using wave scatter diagrams from hindcast wave data for specific sections and seasons, carriers can apply more specific load reduction factors while reducing the risk of cargo loss from parametric rolling with digital onboard operational guidance. The mandatory parametric roll guidance for this notation is setting a new industry standard for safe ship operation even in adverse weather conditions,” said Peter Kim, ABS Senior Principal Engineer. From the voyage of the first containership, Ideal X, in 1956, ABS has been at the forefront of providing classification and technical services for containerships operating around the world.