ABS awards industry’s first AIP for infection mitigating design to SHI
JDP applies ABS infection mitigation approach to design of vessel accommodation and ventilation system
In an industry first, ABS has awarded Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) Approval in Principle (AIP) for crew accommodation and ventilation systems designed to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
The AIP is the product of a joint development project (JDP) between ABS and SHI that applied the principles described in the ABS Guide for Mitigation of Infectious Disease Transmission On Board Marine and Offshore Assets to a crude oil tanker, a container carrier and an LNG carrier.
The design includes a designated area that can be used to isolate infected seafarers, along with dedicated medical support and infection mitigating laundry facilities. The ventilation system is also specially adapted to reduce the potential for transmission of infectious disease.
Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Engineering and Technology, said:
“We are focused on the safety of crew and securing the operations of vessels against the impact of infectious disease, which, as we have seen, is potentially very significant. ABS has pioneered an approach to mitigating the spread of disease on floating assets which has been developed with leading health practitioners and regulators to support the marine and offshore industries. We are proud to partner with SHI on applying our approach to the next generation of vessel designs and advancing the cause of safety."
Jong-Hyun Yoon, Executive Vice President of SHI’s Shipbuilding & Drilling Engineering Division said:
“For shipping companies, the outbreak of infectious disease at sea is a very important issue that is directly related to the operation schedule as well as the safety of crews. And, we expect SHI’s design to mitigate the spread of infectious disease to be the best solution."
ABS launched the ABS Guide for Mitigation of Infectious Disease Transmission On Board Marine and Offshore Assets in November 2020. And, in another industry first, introduced a new notation indicating compliance with the standards. It was the latest in a succession of support developed by ABS to assist the marine and offshore industries’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic and readiness to handle other infectious diseases.
