Setting Course, an ABS Podcast American Bureau of Shipping

As the commercial spaceflight industry continues to grow, so does the need to support offshore operations such as launch and recovery. Enter a new type of offshore support vessel (OSV) that can play a vital role in this skyrocketing sector.

On this episode of Setting Course, Captain Bryan Dietz, Master of Space Perspective’s MS Voyager, and Tyson Breedlove, ABS Manager of Business Development for Global Offshore, join host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media, to discuss these new space support vessels.

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Key Points
The space industry is experiencing significant growth, with increasing interest in commercial spaceflight and space exploration.Offshore support vessels (OSVs) are being adapted and certified for space support operations, including launch and recovery operations.ABS, as a class society, plays a crucial role in the conversion and certification of OSVs for space support.Modifications to Space Perspective’s vessel include lengthening, propulsion system changes, additional crew accommodations, rewiring and safety enhancements.Guests
Captain Bryan Dietz is the Master of the world’s first marine spaceport, the MS Voyager, for Space Perspective. He is a native of Long Island, N.Y., and was born into a saltwater fishing and boating family. He graduated from SUNY Maritime College and has more than a decade of experience in the offshore sector, including ultra deepwater subsea construction.

Tyson Breedlove is a Business Development Manager in Global Offshore for ABS and leads the team’s offshore space strategy. Breedlove has worked in the maritime industry for 16 years, the first 12 of which were in the field as a surveyor in South Korea and Singapore.

The rapid pace at which technologies are evolving and emerging within the marine and offshore industries requires an agile approach to asset design.

On this episode of Setting Course, we discuss ABS’ risk-based approach to its Rules with ABS Chief Engineer, Derek Novak; ABS Vice President of Class Standards, Dan Cronin, and host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media.

Key Points
ABS is adopting a risk-based approach to rules in response to industry changes.The risk-based approach focuses on safety and can be applied to any technical situation.The approach allows for the adoption of new technologies and innovations without being held back by the lack of specific requirements.ABS had made changes to improve clarity and accessibility, including the introduction of Rule Manager 2.0.Learn more about how ABS is supporting the industry at https://www.eagle.org.

If you like this episode, leave a review and share the episode with your contacts. This episode is available at https://www.eagle.org/podcast and on your favorite podcast platforms.

Guests
Derek Novak is the Chief Engineer for ABS. He oversees interpretation, application and compliance with ABS Rules across all ABS Engineering offices worldwide. Novak joined ABS in 1994 and has held a number of senior management roles within the organization, including Senior Vice President for Engineering and Technology, President and Chief Operating Officer – Pacific Division, Vice President of Operations – Pacific Division, Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Engineering, and Manager – Naval Engineering.

Dan Cronin is the Vice President of Class Standards for ABS. He oversees the Rule Development process and is leading the Rules 2025 initiative. Cronin joined ABS in 1997 and has held several roles within the organization, including Vice President of Digital Class, Vice President of Engineering for Americas, and Manager of Ship and Offshore Engineering in Singapore.

The maritime industry is facing a myriad of challenges on the journey to decarbonization. On this special Singapore Maritime Week episode of Setting Course, guests from Pacific Carriers Limited (PCL), PaxOcean and ABS discuss the challenges and solutions shaping the industry’s future.

Chern Meng Huat, PCL General Manager of Technical Fleet Management, Sidat Senanayake, PaxOcean Head of Commercial and Shu Yong Koh, ABS Global Sustainability Director, join host Brad Cox, ABS, to talk about how collaboration is key to advancing maritime decarbonization.
Key Points
Ship owners face broad challenges on the decarbonization pathway, such as fleet diversity, regulatory uncertainty, technological limitations, operational optimization and crew training.Industry collaboration and partnerships are crucial in developing effective decarbonization strategies.Initiatives such as the use of alternative fuels, energy-saving technologies, and eco-friendly ship designs are being pursued to reduce emissions.The future of decarbonization requires continuous innovation, collaboration, and a global commitment to sustainability.
Learn more about the outlook for the maritime industry’s decarbonization journey in Beyond the Horizon: View of the Emerging Value Chains.

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Guests:
With over 25 years of industry experience, Chern Meng Huat started his career sailing as an engine cadet to Chief Engineer. Before joining Pacific Carrier Limited (PCL), he worked as a marine surveyor, gaining insights into different industry facets. Now, as General Manager, Technical Fleet Management, he oversees the operation, maintenance, and safety of vessels under PCL's purview.

Sidat Senanayake is the Head of Commercial for PaxOcean Group and based in Singapore, where he is responsible for the group’s global commercial activities covering newbuilding, conversions, repairs and fabrication. He has spent over 20 years covering the maritime and offshore sector in financing, marketing, business development, restructuring and risk management roles. His last role was Head of Risk Management & Compliance for Kuok Group Singapore, the parent company of PaxOcean Group.

Shu Yong Koh serves as ABS Director of Global Sustainability, responsible for driving the ABS sustainability strategy and assisting ship owners and operators with achieving their sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals through industry-leading support and digital solutions. He has been involved in various sustainability initiatives and is actively pursuing the challenges of the maritime and shipping industry. He is working on energy, emissions and innovative technologies associated with alternative fuels, taking into account technical, environmental, regulatory and economic factors.

As the marine industry increasingly considers applications for autonomous technologies, regulatory bodies must adapt and assess these technologies to promote safe use.

On this episode of Setting Course, Joseph Gardemal, ABS Regulatory Affairs Manager, joins host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media, to discuss the development of a regulatory framework for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).

Gardemal discusses the drivers behind autonomous regulations, the degrees of autonomy and what the evolving regulations are aiming to achieve.

Learn more about some of the regulatory trends facing the industry at www.eagle.org/regulatorytrends.

Seafarers are the backbone of the global shipping industry. They are also among the most affected when the industry undergoes change, whether from new technologies, staffing shortages or geopolitical tensions.

On this episode of Setting Course, we discuss the challenges facing current and future seafarers with Chuck Kemper, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Jennifer Harrison, ABS Senior Director of Learning Strategy, and host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media.

Listen to more episodes of Setting Course at www.eagle.org/podcast.

While regulations and the global energy transition have brought a wide range of alternative fuels into the spotlight, nuclear energy has emerged as a zero-carbon option with broad potential for the marine and offshore industries.

On this episode of Setting Course, we discuss the potential for nuclear energy with Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President, Meg Dowling, ABS Technology Engineer and host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media.

Ryan and Dowling provide insight into potential applications, challenges, opportunities and regulatory hurdles for nuclear energy for maritime applications.

Learn more about some of the major technology trends facing the industry at www.eagle.org/techtrends.