ABS and Hanwha Ocean ink deal to accelerate sustainability, digitalization, and cybersecurity in offshore operations

September 30, 2024, by Sara Kosmajac

Classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has signed a multi-year Offshore Technology Collaboration Agreement (OTCA) with the South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean, seeking to explore the yet-uncharted territories of sustainability, digitalization and cybersecurity across the maritime industry.

Philippe Levy, President, Offshore Business, Hanwha Ocean, and Miguel Hernandez, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Offshore. Courtesy of: ABS

As disclosed, under the agreement, which was signed at GasTech 2024, held in Houston, Texas, the two parties will aim to support the commercialization of a wide range of technological advancements and solutions, green retrofit products and services, like carbon capture, wind assistance, electrification, as well as a number of energy efficiency measures.

In addition to that, the collaboration has reportedly set the stage for the exploration of new approaches to sustainability and operational technology cybersecurity, with a focus on integrating ‘advanced’ digital solutions—including those that rely on artificial intelligence (AI)—into offshore operations.

“This agreement will structure our ambition to propose safe, sustainable, and affordable energy for opportunities ahead, especially for strategic clients developing world-class reservoirs with low break-evens and low carbon intensity,” said Philippe Levy, President, Offshore Business, Hanwha Ocean.

Earlier this September, ABS shook hands with South Korean shipbuilding giant HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE). The two are to seek ways to forge ahead with the development and certification of improved systems for next-generation, zero-carbon ships.

The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), under which they set to work on developing a ‘robust’ ammonia fuel supply system with a pressure control designed for large commercial vessels, and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo handling system, featuring a complete re-liquefaction process to minimize boil-off gas (BOG) for zero-carbon LNG carriers.

On the other hand, at the end of September, Hanhwa Ocean got a green light from DNV for its rotor sail technology, made with composite materials. As informed, this was the first certification of its type to be approved for installation in hazardous zones in South Korea.