ABS Announces Expansion of Its Presence in Singapore

ABS, the leading provider of classification services to the global offshore industry, announces the expansion of its presence in Singapore.

Recognizing the growing role Singapore is playing as a global offshore energy center, ABS is moving key offshore leadership positions from Houston to Singapore and is strengthening its research and development (R&D) capabilities at the ABS Singapore Offshore Technology Center (SOTC).

Growth in the deepwater sector will continue to be driven by advances in technology, and Singapore will be at the center of these advancements in the Asia-Pacific region as the country positions itself as a regional deepwater hub. The level of investment expected in the Asia-Pacific region will bring rapid growth in the deepwater arena that will require mature technical competence.

“ABS has had a strong presence in Singapore for decades,” says ABS President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. “Our expanded offerings in Singapore reflect the country’s growing role as a center for deepwater research.”

ABS is undertaking a three-pronged approach to expansion, relocating key offshore leadership positions, including its Chief Engineer for Offshore to the Singapore office, adding a Virtual Model Basin to its technical offerings at SOTC and expanding its relationships with local universities to support ABS Rule development and technology programs.

ABS has had a dedicated team of offshore engineers and surveyors based in Singapore for more than two decades. The number of offshore professionals, which currently stands at 70, is anticipated to increase with the demand for ABS services. To strengthen ABS’ technical interface with clients and other key stakeholders in the region, industry veteran Joseph Rousseau will assume the position of Chief Engineer for Offshore and will be based in the Singapore office.

“Even with all of our electronic communications, there is nothing more important than face-to-face dialog,” Wiernicki says. “Having our chief engineer for offshore on the ground in Singapore will allow us to continue to deliver the solution-driven service our clients expect and deserve.”

The second component of the ABS expansion plan for Singapore is the creation of the ABS Virtual Model Basin at SOTC. With the introduction of this capability, ABS has formalized a selection of services to support the offshore industry as it pushes into deeper water. New capabilities offered at SOTC will allow a broad range of advanced analysis that complements testing carried out in towing tanks and conventional model basins.

“Adding to the capabilities at SOTC allows ABS to deliver more value in a country that is essential to regional development,” Wiernicki says. “A key strength of ABS has always been to effectively use technical innovations in providing the industry with practical and efficient solutions to their challenges – and this is the fundamental purpose of these capabilities.”

Through the third component of the expansion, ABS plans to strengthen ties with local universities to enhance regional R&D initiatives and strengthen Rule development programs. To achieve this goal, ABS will be building on the relationships and programs underway at SOTC.

The SOTC is an integral part of the ABS global energy-related research network, which includes centers in Brazil, Korea, China, Canada and Houston. The strategic objective of the R&D centers is to leverage ABS research capabilities with the industry, academia and government to assist in solving critical technical and safety challenges.

Since its establishment in 2006, SOTC has undertaken joint research projects with Singaporean companies and universities as part of its overall offshore technology program. One of the most significant components of the ABS investment in SOTC is in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), which is a competency that has been a part of the ABS Technology group for years.

At ABS’ SOTC, six years of technology development and investment in expanding CFD experience has built a solid foundation for the addition of the ABS Virtual Model Basin. These newly added capabilities will allow advanced research to be carried out domestically in collaboration with representatives from academia, the industry and government.

Founded in 1862, ABS is a leading international classification society devoted to promoting the security of life, property and the marine environment through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine-related facilities.

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Source: ABS, March 28, 2012; Image: ME Ship Tech