ABS enters MoU to establish joint industry project

The classification services company, ABS, has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) in order to establish a joint industry project (JIP) with operators, engineering companies and drilling contractors. The JIP will aim to create updated global design standards for offshore oil and gas projects.

Christopher J. Wiernicki – the Chairman, President and CEO of ABS – said: “ABS has recognised the potential value of standardisation for some time […] This JIP offers the opportunity for a group of diverse companies to create standardised procedures and basic designs that will reduce construction costs without making concessions on quality or safety.”

On 12 – 13 October 2015, ABS held a two-day long workshop, inviting members of HHI, SHI, DSME, KOMERI and Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association (KOSHIPA), as well as operators and contractors, to discuss how to help both shipbuilders and designers improve design, building efficiencies and project costs.

Dr. Hoseong Lee – the ABS Vice President of Global Korea Business Development and the ABS Korea Energy Technology Centre – is the leader of the JIP, and said: “ABS is ready to work with industry stakeholders toward standardising offshore designs to improve quality, safety and efficiency in design, construction and project execution […] We believe material, equipment and design standardisation among shipbuilders and designers, particularly on complex offshore structures, has significant potential to improve overall construction economics and enhance safety.”

Edited from press release by David Rowlands

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/20102015/abs-enters-mou-to-establish-joint-industry-project-1498/