Page 54: of Marine News Magazine (August 2018)

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Service Providers / Distributers 100 tion-inspired, agile technology company dedicated to sustain- ing and strengthening its leadership role in the industries that it supports. And, ABS continues to address the key challenges facing the shipping industry today: digitization and connectiv- ity, cyber security risks, performance optimization, the reduc- tion of operating costs and environmental compliance.

At the heart of this expansion of ABS’s capabilities is technology – remote data-collection devices, drones and crawlers, wearables, advanced sensors and satellite con- nectivity – all of which have reached a maturity that is allowing ABS to connect with its clients, monitor industry safety trends and share information to enhance data-driven research and class services.

THE COMPANY:

Throughout the year, ABS grew its classed ? eet while

As leading providers of classi? cation services to the global retaining its leading positions for safety and port state con- offshore and marine industries, ABS’s more than 4,500 em- ployees are driven by its mission to promote the security of trol among other IACS members. Internally, ABS employ- life, property and preserve the natural environment. The ABS ees lived the organization’s safety mission, delivering zero work-related lost-time injuries in 2017.

team offers support throughout concept design, design ap- proval and construction, and provides asset-lifecycle services.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

ABS offers an independent and uncompromised per-

DELIVERIES/CONTRACTS: spective on classi? cation and statutory-critical items. Le-

For the U.S.-based ? eet of towing vessels, this year marked veraging years of experience gained from working in the marine industry and providing an impartial assessment the introduction of the most comprehensive safety and envi- ronmental legislation in the sector’s history, the U.S. Coast that relies on time-tested practical survey-assessment tech- niques and modern engineering rigor, ultimately bene? ts Guard’s (USCG) Subchapter M regulations. ABS was at the forefront of independent technical support for that regu- of all industry stakeholders. latory rollout, having oversight of more than 2,000 U.S.-

ABS has an unparalleled commitment to safety that un- derscores everything we do as an organization. The safety ? agged towing vessels, or more than a third of the vessels record of the ABS-classed ? eet validates its commitment to affected by the Sub M regulation. The ? rst vessel owners to receive USCG Certi? cates of Inspection, which demon- safety leadership. It has consistently and signi? cantly out- strate Sub M compliance, on all three U.S. coasts and in the performed industry averages in the categories of Overall Se-

USCG District 8, were all ABS clients, con? rming ABS as rious Casualties and Hull & Machinery Casualties. Stand- ing on its record of independence, exceptional class service, the trusted industry service provider for the new rules.

Through their deep technical and regulatory knowledge, safety and technology leadership, ABS delivers value at every the ABS team of seasoned surveyors, auditors and engineers stage of development for an offshore asset or marine vessel.

in more than 30 U.S. of? ces helped owners to ? nd the com- pliance solutions that were best suited for their unique orga-

PRIMARY SERVICE: nizational and operational needs. In its role as the USCG-

At its core, ABS is a provider of classi? cation and tech- nical services to the marine and offshore energy sectors recognized Third Party Organization, ABS conducted vessel that promote safe practice and environmental stewardship. surveys and technical audits, as well as provide integrated so-

While the ? rm will always remain class-centric, helping to lutions (Nautical Systems Workboat ? eet-management soft- ware) to help owners gain and maintain statutory compliance.

protect people and the environment in the era of digitali- zation, systems automation and rapid regulatory response

THE CASE: requires signi? cant investments in future technologies.

ABS is one of the world’s biggest Classi? cation Societies,

ABS launched its strategic ABS FutureClass plan to further serving both the global marine and offshore and inland sectors. solidify its leading position in the marine and offshore indus- tries. The plan accelerated the company’s digital evolution, The Houston-based organization is one of the founding mem- bers of the International Association of Classi? cation Societies.

charting a journey towards the future as a data-driven, innova-

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