Certification News

Saipem has obtained ISO 55001:2024 certification, the international standard for asset lifecycle management, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards operational excellence and offshore sustainability.The certification, issued by DNV, confirms Saipem’s Asset Management system compliance with the most advanced requirements, covering all operational phases - design, procurement, installation, commissioning, maintenance and decommissioning, ensuring a robust and effective “Asset Integrity” framework.The certification applies to Saipem’s entire offshore asset portfolio…

Japan’s ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a bulk carrier concept developed by Oshima Shipbuilding that is designed to be ready for multiple alternative fuels, including ammonia, methanol and liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS).The approval confirms the technical feasibility of the vessel from a regulatory and safety perspective and reflects growing industry efforts to future-proof newbuilds amid tightening emissions rules.The concept design was reviewed in line with ClassNK’s updated Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels…

DNV has granted a Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) to CSSC Shanghai Marine Energy Saving Technology (CMES-Tech) for its new 35-meter tilting type wind assisted rotor system.This is the first domestically developed rotor sail system in China to achieve this recognition under DNV’s WAPS rules (ST-0511). With this certification, the system is confirmed ready for installation on DNV classed commercial vessels and marks a major milestone for China’s green-shipping technology industry.As shipping faces mounting pressure from fuel costs and emissions regulations…

Nippon Paint Marine has signed a technical collaboration agreement with Lloyd’s Register Advisory to assess long-term speed-loss performance of its FASTAR and AQUATERRAS hull coatings in service.Lloyd’s Register Advisory, which provides independent ship-performance consultancy, will evaluate how the coatings perform over time under the ISO 19030 measurement standard. The study is intended to create a validated, impartial benchmark for shipowners comparing coating efficiency, fuel…

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has awarded an approval in principle (AIP) to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for its novel design of a wireless fire and gas detection system that advances safety in maritime operations.Conventional detection systems use power cables to transmit signals to a control panel. The new design from SHI uses a vessel’s metal structure as the low-voltage power transmission medium.Similarly, signals from the fire detection and alarm devices are converted…

Classification society DNV has awarded HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a new 15,000 TEU container vessel design powered by Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology.The design demonstrates the application of SMR technology in a 15,000 TEU container vessel, capable of operating at 24 knots.The vessel concept incorporates a supercritical CO2-based power generation system, which can provide higher thermal efficiency and a reduced…

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has entered into strategic collaboration with Greece-based DYNAMARINe to launch an independent auditing program aimed at improving the safety, transparency and performance of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operations worldwide.Under the new framework, LR’s auditors will assess STS service providers in line with standards set by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) guidelines, while also reviewing risk data and operational records compiled by DYNAMARINe.

AEGIR-Marine has been certified as a B Corporation (B Corp). With this certification, AEGIR-Marine joins other businesses that meet standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.AEGIR-Marine pursued this certification to strengthen its commitment to sustainability and to demonstrate that responsible business practices can go hand in hand with long-term success in the maritime industry.All 12 of AEGIR-Marine’s offices worldwide are included in the certification…

The Towing Vessel Inspection Bureau (TVIB) announced that Rio Marine, Inc. has become the first maritime services provider to achieve certification under the American Waterways Operators’ (AWO) Responsible Carrier Program (RCP).The RCP is a safety management system for the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry that sets standards for safety, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement. To earn certification, companies undergo a third-party audit evaluating policies, procedures, employee practices, and operational performance.Capt. David A. Foret Jr.

ABS has granted two approvals in principle (AIP) for advanced cargo handling systems designed for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and ethane carriers, developed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE).The subcooling refrigeration system is a key advancement in cargo temperature management for LNG carriers.Unlike conventional systems that rely on a single gaseous refrigerant, the subcooling system utilizes a mixed refrigerant of both gas and liquid, which…

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a methanol fuel tank design concept developed by SRC Group, which uses a Sandwich Plate System (SPS) technology to almost double shipboard storage capacity for both methanol and ethanol.The certification demonstrates its feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives.With the growing adoption of alternative fuels such as methanol in the maritime industry, the development of safe and efficient fuel storage solutions has become increasingly important.In contrast to traditional fuel tanks…

Seatrium has received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its proprietary FLEXHull 1500K-M floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) design.The AiP underscores Seatrium’s ability to deliver advanced solutions for deepwater oil and gas production, the company said.The FLEXHull 1500K-M is designed to handle topside loads of up to 80,000 metric tons, with a hull that can be adjusted for different requirements. It also features expanded tank capacity…

MISC Berhad (MISC) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have received the Approval in Principle (AiP) from Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) for the design of the world’s first ammonia-fueled LR2 tanker powered by Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) technology.The AiP from BV confirms the technical feasibility of the concept as well as initial conformity to the applicable rules, industry codes, and standards.The AiP was awarded as part of a strategic joint development project involving MISC…

Yinson Production has received Main Scantling Approval (MSA) from classification society DNV for its Meridian purpose-built floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) hull design.The newly approved Meridian FPSO hull is designed to perform in challenging offshore environments.It merges low carbon innovation with high performance adaptability, engineered to meet the intensifying demands of deepwater and ultra-deepwater operations.With its strategic flexibility and outstanding processing capacity…

OceanWings has received a Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) from DNV, marking a major milestone in the industrial validation of the company’s automated wingsail propulsion system.The certificate confirms that the design of the rigid OceanWings system, in both its tiltable and fixed configurations, meets DNV’s rigorous technical and regulatory standards for safety, reliability, and operation.The system is designed to support shipping’s transition toward cleaner energy and…

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued the CR-Ex cyber resilience notation to three self-elevating units from Jana Marine Services, an industry first.The offshore units, JANA 505, 508 and 509, are the first offshore units to be awarded the notation that incorporates elements of IACS UR E26 Cyber Resilience (CR) requirements into existing (Ex) vessels to enhance cyber safety.The CR-Ex notation is part of the updated ABS Guide for Cybersecurity Implementation for the Marine and Offshore Industries…

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for large liquefied CO2 carrier developed by by Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore (DSOC) and Nantong Offshore Design & Research Institute (NODRI).The certification confirms the feasibility of the vessel from regulatory and safety perspectives.ClassNK reviewed the design concept of the vessel based on its 'Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships', including Part N, which incorporates the IGC Code, an international…

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for an ammonia-fueled LPG/NH3 carrier, applied for jointly by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and MITSUI E&S.The certification demonstrates its feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives.Ammonia, which does not emit CO2 during combustion, is expected to see wider use as a zero-carbon fuel for ships. At present, various studies and development efforts are underway to bring ammonia fuelled ships into practical use.In 2021, prior to the establishment of specific international standards for the use of ammonia as fuel for ships…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has secured approval in principle (AiP) from a Lloyd's Register (LR) for two new different designs of a membrane-type LNG carrier equipped with four units of Wind Challenger, a hard sail wind assisted propulsion system.The AiP covers a new vessel design, for a 174,000 m3 LNG carrier, jointly developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).Each design will be equipped with four Wind Challenger units.Detailed design work for actual construction is currently underway.

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued classification to the Surveyor, a fully autonomous deepwater unmanned surface vehicle (USV), developed by Saildrone.At 20 meters long and capable of unmanned operations across all of the world’s oceans, the Surveyor is the largest class of USVs from Saildrone, a provider of maritime security, ocean mapping, and meteorological and oceanographic data using unmanned autonomous assets.The USV is capable of long-endurance missions in the open ocean…

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has issued the UK’s first certification for a remotely operated and unmanned vessel (ROUV) under the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) Workboat Code Edition 3 (WBC3) Annex 2, with hydrogen-powered PIONEER from ACUA Ocean becoming the first vessel to achieve compliance.Introduced by the MCA in December 2023, the WBC3 requirements set out safety and operational standards for ROUVs operating in UK waters. LR was the first certifying authority to be authorised…

ABS has issued a New Technology Qualification 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…

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) for its next-generation 210,000 DWT Newcastlemax bulk carrier design.The innovative design features flexibility for multiple fuel types, including conventional fuels, LNG, ammonia, and methanol, enabling shipowners to adapt to current and emerging environmental regulations and future fuel availability.The vessel design incorporates advanced smart navigation systems…