Offshore Support Vessels and Regulatory Updates by ABS
Shipping trade may be in the throes of a downturn, yet one sector - that of the offshore - is seeing rapid development in ship building technology driven by the incessant search for oil and gas in deeper waters. Having made significant contributions to this sector in India and elsewhere, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has now taken a lead in bringing into focus its ‘Guide for Building & Classing Offshore Support Vessels’. It is designed to assists various stakeholders to comply with the requirement and keep pace with the industry. The guide incorporates standards for the design and construction of modern OSVs and which are continuously reviewed and updated in order to assist the industry in maintaining safe and efficient operations.
At a seminar held this morning in Mumbai, the classification services and guidance for building OSVs evolved by ABS over the years were presented, bringing to fore its worldwide singular performance keeping pace with the dramatic development of OSVs taking shape in terms of diversification and water depth capabilities.
A. K. Seah, Vice President, Environmental Solutions of ABS gave an overview of the ABS guidelines and standards for OSVs which combined functions and capabilities and sub divided the notations for modern OSVs functions viz vessels which dominate the exploration/production support scene, production support and maintenance and construction. “Many OSV functional capabilities can now be assigned with optional notations,” he said. “Special purpose ship notation can be assigned and Industry can apply the ABS OSV guide with immediate effect.”
Speaking on another related topic Akira Akiyama, Vice President, Global Marine TBD of ABS gave a gist about the IMO Goal based ship construction standards and the Harmonized common Structural Rules (SCR). He said, “IMO goal – based standards are broad, over-arching safety, environmental and / or security standards that ships are required to meet during their lifecycle.” He said that the necessary level to be achieved by the requirements applied by class societies and other recognized organizations, administration and the IMO.
“The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) is working to harmonize (Common Structural Rules) CSR to be submitted to the IMO,” Mr Akiyama said. “Besides ABS is in the process of preparing common software for tankers and bulk carrier.”
Presenting another topic Mr Seah explained the ‘ABS guides for Gas Fueled Ships’. “There are some compelling reasons for gas based ships, particularly in emission control areas (ECA),” he stated. “Many OSVs are required to operate in ECA. ABS guides provide design and construction criteria for gas fuel engine installations.”
Some related topics were also discussed. These included “ABS guides for Gas Fueled Ships”, made by Mr Seah. “Ballast Water Management” by Soh Mei Yan, Sr Engineer, Corporate Environment Technology of ABS, “Maritime Labor Convention” by S. N. Bagchi, Sr Surveyor and “IMO Regulations on Energy Efficiency for Ships” by Mr Seah.