Feature 5 | Ice class vessels
ABS and DNV opt for ice class
Even as the mean temperatures of the globe rise the technological challenges
posed in exploiting the minerals in the Arctic and other sub-zero regions
will see new technology designed to allow industry to exploit these newly
available reserves.
T
wo major class societies, Det
Norske Veritas (DNV) and
ABS, have forged links with
universities in a move that is seen as
significant in the efforts to exploit oil
and gas reserves in more challenging
environments, mainly the Arctic
region.
DNV has established links with a
university, the Shanghai Maritime
University (SMU), hoping to benefit
from its research and development
facilities as well as cooperating on
training and scholarships.
The Norwegian company’s research
already shows, however, that the effects
of climate change means there is less
ice allowing for wider ranging areas
to work in and prolonging the seasons
that operations can be maintained
as well as allowing for new shipping
routes to open.
DNV’s regional manager for Greater
China, Jörg Beiler, said: “I believe the
establishment of a strategic partnership
between us [DNV and SMU] will help
both parties expand and deepen their
established cooperation”.
Undoubtedly ABS made similar
assessments when forging links with
Newfoundland’s Memorial University to
create the Harsh Environment Center.
However, Roger Basu, the director of
Jörg Beiler DNv’s regional manager for greater china down at the docks.
research and development for ABS
based in Houston, Texas, explained
that while the oil and gas business has Baffin Island ore carriers would Meeting these challenges is not
the biggest potential in the region, it is present significant challenges for naval beyond the means of a class society such
by no means the only mineral available architects as the ships would have to be as ABS and as Mr Basu points out it is
there and the HEC will not only be ice strengthened in order to negotiate useful to have access to experimental
looking at shipping in support of the very heavy ice in the Newfoundland facilities of the kind available to the
oil and gas industries but will look at and Labrador region explained Mr class society at Memorial University.
all types of shipping. Basu. And, as the main market for the The company currently has one
“Alaska has large zinc deposits,” ore would be Europe, the vessels would member of staff based at Memorial,
points out Mr Basu, “and the Baffin then have to negotiate the very heavy but ABS said: “We are looking for the
Island Project is looking at a mining seas experienced in the North Atlantic. centre to grow organically”. That means
project for iron ore on the coast of “It will be a challenging project,” admits more staff could be added within a year,
Labrador”. Mr Basu. depending on what research projects
72 The Naval Architect January 2010
NA Jan 10 - p72+73.indd 72 12/01/2010 10:31:49
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