Profile. Setting Standards of Excellence

Transcription

1 Profile Setting Standards of Excellence

2 OUR MISSION The mission of the American Bureau of Shipping is to serve the public interest as well as the needs of our clients by promoting the security of life, property and the natural environment primarily through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine-related facilities. QUALITY & ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY It is the policy of the American Bureau of Shipping to be responsive to the individual and collective needs of our clients as well as those of the public at large, to provide quality services in support of our mission, and to provide our services consistent with international standards developed to avoid, reduce or control pollution to the environment. All of our client commitments, supporting actions, and services delivered must be recognized as expressions of Quality. We pledge to monitor our performance as an on-going activity and to strive for continuous improvement. We commit to operate consistent with applicable environmental legislation and regulations and to provide a framework for establishing and reviewing environmental objectives and targets.

3 CONTENTS Welcome to ABS 5 A Brief History 13 Organization & Management 17 Classification Services 21 Certification Services 49 Offshore & Energy Services 51 Statutory Services 61 Naval Vessel Standards 71 A B S P R O F I L E 1

4 ABS Europe Headquarters ABS WORLD HEADQUARTERS ABS Americas Headquarters ABS Worldwide Locations 2 A B S P R O F I L E

5 ABS Pacific Headquarters A B S P R O F I L E 3

6 4 A B S P R O F I L E

7 Welcome TO ABS SAFETY, SERVICE, SOLUTIONS These three goals define the activities of ABS. They are the bedrock upon which our commitment to set standards of excellence as one of the world s leading ship classification societies is founded. From its inception in 1862, setting safety standards for the marine industry has been the core commitment of ABS. This is achieved through the establishment and application of technical standards, known as Rules, for the design, construction and operational maintenance of ships and other marine structures. Classification is a process that certifies adherence to these Rules. From its World Headquarters in Houston, ABS delivers services and solutions to a worldwide client list through a network of local representative offices in 70 countries. A B S P R O F I L E 5

8 6 A B S P R O F I L E

9 Global Reach LOCAL RESPONSE IT IS THE GOAL OF ABS TO PROVIDE THE MOST RESPONSIVE LOCAL SERVICE TO OUR CLIENTS. We have met that customer-oriented objective through a decentralized management structure, supported by a network of representative engineering and survey offices around the world. Over 1,650 people, of many nationalities, working from more than 150 offices in 70 countries, are the heart of ABS. As a provider of safety services and operational solutions to the marine and offshore energy industries, we recognize that our employees are our most important attribute. These employees represent a remarkable breadth of knowledge, experience and talent. Their diversity is our strength. A B S P R O F I L E 7

10 8 A B S P R O F I L E

11 Core COMPETENCIES THE CORE COMPETENCIES OF THIS WORLDWIDE NETWORK OF ABS PROFESSIONALS LIE IN THE FIELDS OF SURVEY, ENGINEERING AND AUDITING. Our engineers offer a spectrum of skills from naval architecture to hydrodynamics to ergonomics. Our marine surveyors bring experience and professional judgment to their task of assessing the compliance of a vessel or structure with the ABS Rules and relevant statutory regulations throughout its life, from drawing board to scrapyard. Our auditors specialize in management and security systems, particularly those conforming to the International Safety Management (ISM) and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Codes. Backing these field representatives is an unequivocal commitment to research and development. Our Technology Department is recognized as a leader of technical innovation in the marine and offshore sectors. A B S P R O F I L E 9

12 1 0 A B S P R O F I L E

13 Practical SOLUTIONS ABS IS COMMITTED TO BEING THE MOST EFFICIENT PROVIDER OF MARINE AND OFFSHORE CLASSIFICATION SERVICES. We have been able to achieve that goal through the innovative thinking, enthusiasm and professionalism of our staff. Our clients have been the beneficiaries. Our service levels and pricing structure are reflective of those efficiencies. Wherever in the world our clients are located ABS can be there, able to offer quick, practical solutions to their operational challenges. A B S P R O F I L E 1 1

14 12 ABS PROFILE

15 A Brief HISTORY FROM THE TIME IT WAS FIRST CHARTERED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN 1862, ABS has been committed to the maritime industry and deeply involved in its technical development and the improvement of its safety standards. Born out of a need for industry self-regulation, ABS published its first technical standards, Rules for Survey and Classing Wooden Vessels, in When the era of wooden ships gave way to iron, ABS established standards for these structures, published as Rules for Survey and Classing of Iron Vessels. Similarly, when iron gave way to steel, ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels were established and published in These Steel Vessel Rules continue to be revised and published annually, embodying the service, experience and technological advancements accumulated since that first edition. A B S P R O F I L E 1 3

16 1 4 A B S P R O F I L E

17 A Legacy OF LEADERSHIP FROM THE OUTSET ABS HAS BEEN A LEADER IN ESTABLISHING TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR THE INDUSTRY. ABS was the first society to publish Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units; the first to develop Rules for Building and Classing Submersibles; and the first to offer Rules for Building and Classing Aluminum Vessels. It was the first classification society to class SWATH vessels; the first to class FPSOs; the first to publish Rules on CD-ROM; and the first to develop dynamic based criteria for the design and evaluation of ship structures. Most recently ABS has contributed to the development of more efficient marine transportation systems and technically advanced energy exploration and production units through the establishment of comprehensive, risk-based standards. A B S P R O F I L E 1 5

18 1 6 A B S P R O F I L E

19 Organization & MANAGEMENT THE AMERICAN BUREAU OF SHIPPING, A NOT-FOR- PROFIT CORPORATION, HAS NO CAPITAL STOCK AND PAYS NO DIVIDENDS. All funds generated from fees for classification services are used solely for the performance of such services, and any surplus of receipts in any one year is used for the extension and improvement of such services, including research and development. Management responsibilities are vested in the Board of Directors the members of which are selected for their broad experience of the maritime, offshore and insurance industries, and the Council, chosen from the more than 800 Members of ABS. This membership is drawn from persons considered to be eminent within their maritime field of endeavor, principally shipowners, shipbuilders, naval architects, marine engineers, marine underwriters and government representatives. A B S P R O F I L E 1 7

20 1 8 A B S P R O F I L E

21 Industry ADVISORS AS AN INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL ORGANIZATION, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ABS STAYS INFORMED OF AND, WHEN APPROPRIATE, LEADS MARINE-RELATED DEVELOPMENTS WORLDWIDE. ABS accomplishes this through a general committee structure consisting of individuals prominent in marine and related industries. The general committees, which may be either national or regional in nature, also serve as a forum for ABS Members and management. ABS develops and updates its Rules through a structure of special technical committees comprising individuals prominent in the marine, offshore and related industries. These committees permit ABS to maintain close contact with the numerous technological and scientific disciplines associated with the design, construction and maintenance of ships and other marine structures. Organized and managed in this manner, and reflective of the wide spectrum of interests of its Members, ABS provides the industry with a recognized organization for self-regulation. A B S P R O F I L E 1 9

22 2 0 A B S P R O F I L E

23 Classification RESPONSIBILITIES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CLASSIFICATION SOCIETY IS TO VERIFY that merchant ships and marine structures presented to it comply with Rules that the society has established for design, construction and periodic survey. Classification itself does not judge the economic viability of a vessel. Neither is the society in a position to judge whether a vessel is ultimately employed according to the stated intended purpose for which it was classed. The classification society records, reports and recommends in accordance with what it has seen at the time of a vessel s construction and subsequent surveys. If a vessel is found not to comply with the Rules, and the recommendations of ABS are not followed, then the society will suspend or cancel classification. A B S P R O F I L E 2 1

24 2 2 A B S P R O F I L E

25 Classification PROCEDURE THE PRIMARY MEANS BY WHICH ABS PURSUES ITS MISSION IS THROUGH CLASSIFICATION OF SHIPS AND OTHER MARINE STRUCTURES. Classification is a procedure involving: the development of standards, known as Rules technical plan review and design analysis surveys during construction source inspection of materials, equipment and machinery acceptance by the Classification Committee subsequent periodic surveys for maintenance of class survey of damage, repairs and modifications A B S P R O F I L E 2 3

26 2 4 A B S P R O F I L E

27 Rule DEVELOPMENT RULES ARE DERIVED FROM PRINCIPLES OF NAVAL ARCHITECTURE, MARINE ENGINEERING AND ASSOCIATED DISCIPLINES. A new Rule, or a proposed change to an existing Rule, originates with one of the ABS technical committees, from in-service experience, from a new IACS Unified Requirement or from the ongoing research conducted by the technology staff at ABS. Research projects are conducted either directly by ABS or are undertaken jointly with industry, with academic and governmental organizations or with other appropriate partners to best draw on the most qualified sources available. A B S P R O F I L E 2 5

28 2 6 A B S P R O F I L E

29 RESEARCH & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ABS IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING LEADERSHIP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES INTENDED TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY STANDARDS OF THE MARINE INDUSTRY. At any one time more than 100 research and development projects are underway in the ABS Research and Product Development Department, ranging from detailed structural analysis to the impact of human factors on the ergonomic design of the marine workplace. ABS recognizes that the classification world is changing with more emphasis on complex structures, life cycle management, unified standards and safety equivalencies. To address these issues, increasing emphasis within the ABS technology strategy is being given to areas that will improve the integration of classification into both the design process and life cycle operations, while addressing safety equivalencies through greater emphasis on risk and reliability methods. A B S P R O F I L E 2 7

30 2 8 A B S P R O F I L E

31 Plan Review & DESIGN ANALYSIS WHEN AN OWNER FIRST REQUESTS THAT THE VESSEL OR STRUCTURE BE CLASSED, the shipyard or design agent presents drawings and calculations to ABS for a systematic detailed review for compliance with the Rules. ABS engineers review the plans to verify that the structural and mechanical details conform to the Rule requirements. Their review may also include sophisticated computer-based analytical procedures. In this way, ABS is able to determine whether the design is adequate in its structural and mechanical concept. During the entire review process ABS is available for consultations with the owner and designer. A B S P R O F I L E 2 9

32 3 0 A B S P R O F I L E

33 Technical ANALYSES ADVANCES IN COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY HAVE MADE POSSIBLE INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED PROCEDURES FOR DESIGN ASSESSMENT leading to greater safety, efficiency and economy of ships and offshore structures. ABS has developed and routinely applies technologically advanced methods to solve complex engineering problems. The following engineering analyses, in support of vessel design, are available: FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSES FOR HULL STRUCTURES SafeHull design evaluation dynamic load approach (DLA) MACHINERY ANALYSES pressure vessel analysis tank support analysis crankshaft analysis short circuit analysis coordination study flange analysis torsional vibration analysis A B S P R O F I L E 3 1

34 3 2 A B S P R O F I L E

35 Technical ANALYSES STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS finite element analysis stress analysis thermal stress analysis vibration prediction studies fatigue and fracture mechanic analyses Rule scantling analysis buckling analysis hull girder analysis environmental loading and hydrodynamic analyses design load prediction seakeeping and motion studies springing and slamming studies sloshing analysis wind loading analysis grillage analysis double bottom analysis plane frame analysis racking analysis webframe analysis mooring strength analysis permissible speed-in-ice analysis A B S P R O F I L E 3 3

36 3 4 A B S P R O F I L E

37 Surveys DURING CONSTRUCTION AFTER A DESIGN HAS BEEN APPROVED BY ABS ENGINEERS, ABS FIELD SURVEYORS ATTEND THE VESSEL AT THE SHIPYARD FROM KEEL LAYING TO DELIVERY. The surveyors verify that the approved plans are followed and the Rules are adhered to. During the construction of a vessel built to ABS class, surveyors witness, at the place of manufacture or fabrication, the tests of materials for the hull and certain items of machinery as required by the Rules. They also survey the building, installation and testing of the structural and principal mechanical and electrical systems. Throughout construction ABS maintains an ongoing dialogue with the owner and the builder to make sure the Rules are understood and adhered to, and to assist in resolving differences that may arise. A B S P R O F I L E 3 5

38 3 6 A B S P R O F I L E

39 Acceptance INTO CLASS WHEN COMPLETED, A VESSEL UNDERGOES SEA TRIALS ATTENDED BY AN ABS FIELD SURVEYOR. The vessel is then presented to the ABS Classification Committee which assesses the vessel s compliance with the Rules based on the collective experience of the Committee members and recommendations from the ABS staff. The Classification Committee is comprised of ABS Members drawn from the maritime industry, United States Coast Guard and ABS officers. When accepted by the Committee, formal certification is issued to the vessel. The vessel s classification information, characteristics and other particulars are then entered into the ABS Record the electronic register of vessels classed by ABS maintained and updated on the ABS web site. A B S P R O F I L E 3 7

40 3 8 A B S P R O F I L E

41 Surveys AFTER CONSTRUCTION ABS RULES REQUIRE THAT EVERY CLASSED VESSEL BE SUBJECT TO PERIODIC SURVEYS TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT IS MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS. Surveys are based on a five-year cycle of Annual Surveys, an Intermediate Survey to be completed between the second and third years of the five-year period, and a comprehensive Special Survey including dry docking at each fifth anniversary from the time of the vessel s delivery. A B S P R O F I L E 3 9

42 4 0 A B S P R O F I L E

43 Survey of Damage, REPAIRS & MODIFICATIONS SHOULD AN ABS CLASSED VESSEL SUSTAIN DAMAGE THAT MAY AFFECT ITS CLASSIFICATION STATUS, THE OWNER IS REQUIRED TO INFORM THE SOCIETY. Upon request, ABS surveyors then survey the vessel to determine whether the structure and machinery continue to meet the ABS Rules and, if not, verify that repairs made are in accordance with class requirements. Similarly, any structural modification of the vessel must be carried out in accordance with ABS requirements for the vessel to remain in class. A B S P R O F I L E 4 1

44 4 2 A B S P R O F I L E

45 Reasons TO CLASS ENHANCED SAFETY The ultimate goal of classification is to promote the safety of the passengers, the crew, the cargo, the vessel and the environment in which it operates. PROTECTION OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT As a measure of protection of their capital investment, financiers usually require that a vessel has been designed, built and maintained to appropriate classification standards. CONFORMANCE WITH UNDERWRITING REQUIREMENTS Classification signifies that a vessel complies with industry-developed standards. This is usually mandated by insurance underwriters. INDICATION OF DUE DILIGENCE Classification is one indication that the shipowner has exercised due diligence during the construction and service life of the vessel. INDICATION OF PROPER MAINTENANCE To remain in class, a vessel must undergo periodic surveys to verify that it is maintained to class standards and in conformance with the Rules. CONFORMANCE WITH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS In most nations the governing authorities have mandated that certain vessels entering into their registry be classed. A B S P R O F I L E 4 3

46 4 4 A B S P R O F I L E

47 Reasons To CLASS WITH ABS MORE THAN A CENTURY OF EXPERIENCE ABS has been in existence since It has a proven ability to meet the needs of the shipping industry. The ABS Rules incorporate the knowledge gathered from more than 140 years of operating experience and from the most advanced technological research. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES ABS has some of the most respected research and development resources in the marine industry, and is dedicated to providing greater understanding of marine design and construction. A NETWORK OF REGIONAL TECHNICAL OFFICES ABS technical staff are located in Busan, Genoa, Hamburg, Houston, London, Istanbul, New Orleans, New York, Piraeus, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei and Yokohama, providing fast, local response to client needs. A NETWORK OF FIELD SURVEYORS ABS is able to offer quick, professional, 24 hours a day seven days a week, multilingual survey services to clients around the world from an impressive network of more than 170 offices in 70 countries. A B S P R O F I L E 4 5

48 4 6 A B S P R O F I L E

49 STATUTORY RECOGNITION OF ABS STANDARDS Many flag States require vessels on their register to be classed with one of a selected number of approved classification societies. ABS is recognized by every major flag State. The ABS Classification Rules address many of the standards relating to overall strength, stability, machinery, safety equipment and pollution prevention contained in the statutory regulations of those flag States. By classing with ABS, these particular areas of the overall design could also meet national authority requirements. PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS ABS has an intimate understanding of the commercial pressures that confront clients and has developed an unparalleled reputation for developing rapid, practical solutions to help clients avoid costly delays. A B S P R O F I L E 4 7

50 4 8 A B S P R O F I L E

51 Certification ABS ALSO OFFERS CERTIFICATION TO SPECIFIED STANDARDS. Whereas classification requires periodic surveys of the classed vessel or offshore unit throughout its life, certification verifies that the item conforms to designated standards at a specified time. Certification can establish compliance with ABS, national, international, industry or other standards. While ABS has developed standard certification programs for most applications, it can also tailor programs to meet specific needs. Typical standard certification programs offered by ABS can cover such items as: thruster systems elevators refrigeration machinery diving systems and decompression chambers drilling equipment deck machinery mass produced equipment and machinery container lashings cargo handling equipment oil and gas production facilities process systems vapor emission control systems controlled atmosphere systems cargo containers A B S P R O F I L E 4 9

52 5 0 A B S P R O F I L E

53 Offshore & ENERGY SERVICES ABS IS ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE INDUSTRY AS THE LEADER IN DEVELOPING AND APPLYING TECHNICALLY ADVANCED, COMMERCIALLY PRACTICAL STANDARDS for the design, construction and operational maintenance of offshore drilling and production units and for gas carriers of all types. It has been the preferred classification society for the offshore and energy industry for more than 50 years. It was the first society to class jackup rigs and still classes the majority of jackups in service. The ABS Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units were the first of their kind and still form the template from which other codes and regulations have been developed. It was the first society to class spars and is the preferred society for the classification of TLPs. ABS standards also cover offshore facilities, installations, pipelines, risers, mooring systems, FPSOs and SPMs. Updated Guides for floating production installations and facilities now take into account the latest risk analysis techniques to assess novel concepts and new design innovations. A B S P R O F I L E 5 1

54 5 2 A B S P R O F I L E

55 Offshore TECHNICAL SERVICES ABS TECHNICAL STAFF HAVE APPROVED THE MAJORITY OF OFFSHORE AND ENERGY RELATED INSTALLATIONS, FACILITIES AND VESSELS IN THE WORLD. Where necessary they have developed and applied leading edge risk assessment methodologies to review and approve the many novel concepts that characterize the advanced technological developments in this sector. Technical services include: design and structural review global strength, fatigue and redundancy analysis stability analysis sloshing analysis for LNGs seakeeping and mooring analysis electrical and mechanical systems review statutory reviews A B S P R O F I L E 5 3

56 5 4 A B S P R O F I L E

57 Offshore SURVEY SERVICES ABS PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY SERVICES TO THE OFFSHORE ENERGY SECTOR. ABS surveyors are located in every major offshore energy area in the world, from Kazakhstan to the Australian North West Shelf to the Gulf of Mexico. With more than 70 percent of the world s offshore units and facilities classed with ABS, no one can offer more experienced or responsive survey services than ABS including: surveys during fabrication installation surveys hookup and commissioning surveys periodic surveys for the life of the offshore structure survey of damage, repairs and modifications A B S P R O F I L E 5 5

58 56 ABS PROFILE

59 gas handling TECHNOLOGY RAPID ADVANCEMENTS IN GAS HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION METHODS ARE CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LARGER LNG TERMINALS, many located offshore, significant size increases in LNG carriers, groundbreaking LPG FPSO vessels and the development of novel compressed natural gas (CNG) and gas-to-liquids (GTL) concepts with which ABS is deeply involved. ABS has issued or conducted detailed development work on new standards and guidelines for building and classing these new gas transport and storage facilities. Developments include the application of ABS SafeHull to membrane-type LNG carriers to approve designs for a 40-year North Atlantic fatigue life and the development of advanced sloshing analysis programs to evaluate partial loading. With the growing interest in offshore terminals, ABS issued the industry s first standards, contained in the ABS Guide for Building and Classing Offshore LNG Terminals. ABS has also granted approval in principle for the majority of the proposed designs for the transport of CNG. The first LPG FPSO has also been built to ABS criteria. A B S P R O F I L E 5 7

60 5 8 A B S P R O F I L E

61 Offshore REGULATIONS ABS HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY MORE THAN 100 FLAG STATES AND NATIONAL JURISDICTIONS TO PROVIDE STATUTORY REVIEW TO THOSE GOVERNMENTS REQUIREMENTS. Principal among the authorizing bodies are the US Coast Guard and US Minerals Management Service (MMS), the UK HSE, the Norwegian NPD, Indonesia s MIGAS, DPC of Brazil, CNSOPB and CNOPB of Canada and Nigeria s NMA/DPR. ABS has also participated in the development of technical standards for the design and construction of platforms in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan waters. ABS understanding of the statutory requirements of governments around the globe means we are able to guide operators towards quick, complete compliance. The Alternate Compliance Program (ACP) for MODUs was jointly developed by ABS and the USCG in a unique example of regulator and industry cooperation. A B S P R O F I L E 5 9

62 6 0 A B S P R O F I L E

63 statutory SERVICES MORE THAN 100 GOVERNMENTS HAVE RECOGNIZED THE PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY AND EXPERIENCE OF ABS by authorizing the classification society to act as a Recognized Organization (RO) or Recognized Security Organization (RSO). These duties include the conduct of surveys and the issuance of certificates in accordance with various international and national maritime Conventions and Codes, such as Load Line, Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), Tonnage, Marine Pollution (MARPOL), ISM Code and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. These governments have recognized that ABS possesses a global network of exclusive, qualified surveyors and extensive resources in manpower and technology to conduct the technical reviews, audits and surveys necessary to fulfill the various Convention requirements. These activities have given ABS a comprehensive knowledge of national and international maritime regulations. It is able to draw on this knowledge in advising clients on how best to meet the documentation needs and accurately apply the criteria. A B S P R O F I L E 6 1

64 6 2 A B S P R O F I L E

65 SOLAS CERTIFICATES ABS ENGINEERS AND SURVEYORS, WORKING WITH INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES, can verify that the vessel is built and provided with the necessary equipment and features required by the SOLAS Convention. At the time of construction and throughout a vessel s service life, based on a satisfactory review and survey of the vessel, certificates can be issued indicating compliance with the requirements of the SOLAS regulation. These include: Safety Construction Certificate (SLC) Safety Equipment Certificate (SLE) Safety Radio Certificate (SLR) Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (SLP) Additionally, document review and appropriate audits are also carried out by ABS verifying that the safety and security management systems comply with: International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (ISM) International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code A B S P R O F I L E 6 3

66 6 4 A B S P R O F I L E

67 MARPOL CERTIFICATES AS A PART OF THE REVIEW AND SURVEY PROCESS RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SOLAS CERTIFICATES ABS WILL, upon request, perform review and survey of those details relating to the issuance of the following MARPOL certificates: International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate IMO Certificate of Fitness for Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC) IMO Certificate of Fitness for Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC) International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) Certificate A B S P R O F I L E 6 5

68 6 6 A B S P R O F I L E

69 Load Line CERTIFICATES A LOAD LINE CERTIFICATE IS ISSUED ON BEHALF OF AN ADMINISTRATION TO INDICATE THAT A VESSEL is capable of carrying its intended cargo in a stable condition. The load line itself is a hull mark that indicates the maximum draft to which a vessel is permitted to safely load. Tonnage CERTIFICATES IN ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL TONNAGE CERTIFICATES, PANAMA AND SUEZ CANAL TONNAGE CERTIFICATES can be issued by ABS on behalf of those authorities. SOLAS and MARPOL regulations specify arrangements and equipment requirements based on the ship s gross tonnage. A B S P R O F I L E 6 7

70 6 8 A B S P R O F I L E

71 ABS & THE US GOVERNMENT ABS HAS MAINTAINED A LONG AND CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE US COAST GUARD. A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was completed in 1981 which authorized ABS to act on behalf of the Coast Guard in the review of certain structural, mechanical and electrical plans for vessels which are both ABS classed and require USCG certification. This initial MOU has been periodically revised and expanded throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The development of the Alternative Compliance Program (ACP) expanded the scope of plan review and inspection activities delegated to ABS and eliminated the duplication of tasks performed by both the USCG and ABS. Representatives from the USCG serve on ABS technical committees contributing to the updating of ABS Rules and Guides. The US Coast Guard Commandant is also a member of the ABS Council, one of the governing bodies of ABS. A B S P R O F I L E 6 9

72 7 0 A B S P R O F I L E

73 Naval Vessel STANDARDS THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMBATANTS AND SUPPORT VESSELS BUILT BY THE US NAVY ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED in accordance with technical guidelines developed by ABS in close cooperation with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). The ABS Rules for Building and Classing Naval Vessels and associated Guide for naval high speed craft are the result of a multi-year project that has involved representatives from ABS, NAVSEA, the Naval Warfare Center other Navy commands, shipyards, design agents and academia. The standards address the bulk of hull, mechanical, electrical, environmental and safety related criteria for the vessels. It merges commercial processes with naval technical requirements to produce a ship classification approach tailored specifically to the needs of the military. A B S P R O F I L E 7 1

74 7 2 A B S P R O F I L E

75

76 ABS WORLD HEADQUARTERS ABS Plaza Northchase Drive Houston, TX USA Tel: Fax: ABS EUROPE DIVISION ABS House No. 1 Frying Pan Alley London E1 7HR United Kingdom Tel: Fax: abs-eur@eagle.org ABS PACIFIC DIVISION 438 Alexandra Road #10-00 Alexandra Point Singapore Republic of Singapore Mail: PSA Building, P.O. Box 0496 Singapore Tel: Fax: abs-pac@eagle.org ABS AMERICAS DIVISION ABS Plaza Northchase Drive Houston, TX USA Tel: Fax: abs-amer@eagle.org WEB SITE TX 01/