ABS Integral to the Transformation of China’s Shipbuilding and Shipping Industry

The 2015 Joint Meeting of the China National and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Committees was held in Guangzhou on 15 September. Tung Chee-Chen, Chairman of Orient Overseas International Ltd; Guo, Dacheng, Chairman of China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry; Zhang, Guangqin, Professor of China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry were joined by more than 100 influential leaders from major shipbuilders, shipping enterprises and design institutions on the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.

Invited VIP attendees included executives from top enterprises in the industry such as China Ocean Shipping (Group) Co., Ltd, China Oilfield Services Ltd, China Shipping (Group) Company, China Shipbuilding Industry Corp., China State Shipbuilding Corp., and Sinotrans & CSC Holdings Co., Ltd.

“Building on a strong foundation, ABS is positioned to be the Class of the Future,” said ABS Executive Vice President and COO Tony Nassif, who introduced the expanded scope of class at the meeting, pointing out that ABS has been investing for the future. Moving forward, ABS is focusing on a next generation work flow system to transform service delivery and improve quality, investing in innovative products and solutions, leveraging technology for practical applications and applying risk-based inspections to provide the most efficient and least intrusive services in the market. Nassif noted that both the Asset Performance Management Group and Global Gas Solutions Team were formed in response the needs of industry.

Tony Nassif also commented on world shipping and shared a shipbuilding outlook with participants. The pace of global economic growth improvement has been very slow, he said, but is projected to gradually improve going forward, while the low oil price has pushed the Offshore Energy sector into a downturn that will likely last a few years. Overall new ordered gross tons is down this year, and although the world order book gross tons is expected to decline through next year, there is an expectation that the downturn will be followed by a period of steady growth.

Eric Kleess, ABS Greater China Division (GCD) President and COO, discussed business activities and development in China. Recognizing that China is the world’s largest shipbuilding nation, ABS has continuously expanded investment and resources to the China market. To better serve the needs of Chinese marine and offshore industries, ABS GCD will continue to add value to the Chinese Shipbuilding and shipping industry, strengthening partnership with the industry. With the extensive technical capabilities and experience with innovative and practical solutions, ABS has proven to be the Class of Choice for new technologies in China, he said, listing LNT A-BOX^TM, Guoyu 1,400 TEU LNG Fueled Container Carrier, the world’s first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Carrier, the world’s largest Ethane Gas Carrier, and the world’s first Sub Sea Mining Vessel as examples of ABS leadership.

As the only guest speaker invited by ABS, Guo Dacheng presented the current status of Chinese marine and offshore industry development. “The Chinese government has set strategic goals of improving marine exploration, developing marine economy, protecting marine ecosystem and becoming a marine power,” Guo said “Policies such as ‘One Belt, One Road,’ and ‘Made in China 2025’ encourage collaboration between international production capacity and equipment manufacturing. These, along with the proposal to create the ‘Marine Silk Road’ are sure to boost Chinese shipbuilding and shipping industry, encourage R&D in marine transportation and exploration equipment, and bring new opportunities to marine engineering and shipbuilding.”

ABS Director of Shared Technology James Bond delivered a presentation addressing IMO Polar Code and Trans-Arctic Shipping Routes while ABS Vice President of Global Gas Solutions Patrick Janssens, , also provided a Gas Market Update and New Design Developments, sharing ABS technical capabilities and value-added services in these areas for ABS clients and members.