The United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) has chosen the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) to establish and operate the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation (Center) under a new five-year cooperative agreement. This initiative is part of MARAD’s Office of Environment and Innovation, aiming to promote clean energy adoption on U.S. vessels through comprehensive research, development, and training programs.
The Center, authorized by U.S. Congress, will serve as a pivotal national resource to address the rapid technological changes impacting the maritime industry, particularly focusing on the challenges of decarbonization and digitalization.
ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher Wiernicki emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This will be an important national resource to enable the U.S. maritime industry to respond to the rapid pace of change driven by decarbonization and digitalization. ABS is proud to have been selected to work with MARAD in launching and operating the Center, which will research, develop, assess, demonstrate, and deploy emerging maritime technologies and practices.”
Key Objectives of the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation
- Infrastructure Development: The Center will facilitate the creation of the necessary infrastructure to support the deployment of clean energy technologies within the maritime sector.
- Research Gap Identification: It will identify research gaps in emerging marine technologies that are pertinent to the U.S. maritime industry.
- Research and Testing: The Center will conduct research, development, testing, and evaluation of equipment while providing guidance on the best available marine technologies.
- Knowledge Assessment: It will assess and monitor the current state of knowledge regarding emerging marine technologies in the U.S. market.
- Regulatory Support: The Center will assist stakeholders in understanding complex regulatory requirements and document best practices within the maritime industry.
- Training Strategy Development: Collaborating with academic and private sector training entities, the Center will develop strategies for various segments of the U.S. maritime industry, including inland, deep water, and coastal fleets.
In the upcoming six months, ABS and MARAD will work together to establish the Center’s operational framework, including its working groups and functions. They will also prioritize research projects and engage with a wide array of maritime industry stakeholders to shape the Center’s direction and objectives.
This new partnership between ABS and MARAD marks a significant step towards fostering innovation and sustainability within the U.S. maritime industry, paving the way for a greener and more efficient future for marine transportation.
About MARAD Office of Environment and Innovation
The Office of Environment and Innovation oversees the Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) program, engaging in the development of environmental policy mechanisms to address maritime transportation issues. These include managing air emissions from vessels and ports, controlling aquatic nuisance species in ballast water, and mitigating vessel-generated underwater noise. Through the META program, MARAD collaborates with government agencies, industry stakeholders, academia, and non-governmental organizations to create policies grounded in sound research and best practices.
About American Bureau of Shipping – ABS
ABS is a not-for-profit marine classification, standards, and research organization designated by U.S. law. Its primary mission is to enhance the security of life, property, and the natural environment. As a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services for the marine and offshore industries, ABS is dedicated to setting high standards for safety and excellence in design and construction.
The organization emphasizes the safe and practical application of advanced technologies and maritime digital solutions, working collaboratively with industry and clients to ensure compliance, optimize performance, and enhance operational efficiency for marine and offshore assets. ABS is recognized as a leader in maritime sustainability, focusing on energy transition, decarbonization, pollution reduction, ballast water management, and aquatic nuisance species management, among other critical issues.
Source American Bureau of Shipping