Strong global growth of LNG and in the orders for vessels needed to carry it, as well as key regulatory changes and critical technologies for the energy transition led the discussion at a recent meeting of the ABS Maritime Committee in Qatar.
Industry leaders from Qatar heard ABS President and COO John McDonald detail how ABS’ best-in-class safety performance and Port State Control performance, combined with strong fleet safety underline its focus on safety and its mission. Members heard that ABS continues to hold a leading position in the global orderbook and has grown the fleet to 298m gt, with more than 11,600 assets.
Updates on the outlook for the offshore sector followed briefings on key sustainability technologies such as carbon capture and the key regulatory developments, including EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime.
Samir Bailouni, COO (Fleet) Nakilat and ABS Maritime Committee Qatar Chairman said: “The growth of LNG and LNG shipping is a key component of energy transport at sea. Ensuring that safety remains the mantra of the industry is critical for a sustainable future and that is the purpose of this committee, which contains significant industry experience and insight into the challenges.”
ABS holds a leading position among Classification organisations in Qatar thanks to long-standing relationships with the country’s marine and offshore operators. The Committee meetings are a forum for ABS members, including owners, operators, charterers, and industry representatives from flag administrations, owner associations, and the shipbuilding and insurance sectors, to come together with ABS leaders and discuss industry issues and developments. The forums are an important part of an ongoing dialogue with industry to address technical, operational and regulatory challenges.
Image: Group image from the 2024 meeting of the ABS Maritime Committee Qatar (source: ABS)
