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American Bureau Of Shipping Reports Increase In Activity During 1972 During 1972, the American Bureau of Shipping classed 1,387 new ves- sels of 11,986,065 deadweight tons, an increase over 1971 of 6.1 percent in deadweight tons, it was announced by Robert T. Young, chairman and president, at the Bureau's annual meeting held in New York on March 20. Under Bureau classification as of December 31, 1972, there were a total of 9,368 vessels of 102,026,000 deadweight tons. At the first of the year, there were 2,432 vessels under contract to be built in 40 countries to Bureau classi- fication. These vessels, totaling 41,- 026,625 deadweight tons, represent an increase of 15.3 percent in vessels and 7.6 percent in deadweight tons over the previous year. Among these vessels is the largest commercial ves- sel in service, the Globtik Tokyo of 476,025 deadweight tons, which was completed on February 20. A rapid growth in the Bureau's container certification program was reported. Last year, 25,700 contain- ers were contracted for certification by the Bureau. This is an increase of 42 percent over the total for 1971. Since this program was initiated a few years ago, 78,000 containers have been built or contracted to Bureau certification. Further, the Bureau has certified 14,000 containers of 32 de- sign types in accordance with the United States Custom Requirements for Containers under the TIR Con- vention. Growing activity was also reported in the classification of barges being Robert T. Young built for use with lighter-aboard-ship (LASH) vessels. As of the begin- ing year, the Bureau had classed for river and harbor service approxi- mately 1,400 steel LASH barges, while another 1,300 units were under construction. In addition some 200 LASH barges were being constructed of fiberglass to Bureau classification. Another marine structure receiving increased attention is that of the rigid-tug-barge combination. These vessels incorporate a fit and lock con- nection between the stern of the barge and bow of the tug, producing a rigid unit of oceangoing integrity. Of the three tug-barge combinations in service to date, three of the barges and two of the tugs have been built to Bureau class. As of January 1, three more tug-barge combinations were being built to Bureau classi- fication. In his annual report, Mr. Young spoke of the pioneer work of the Bureau regarding liquid natural gas (LNG) carriers. Of the 14 LNG carriers in service on January 1. elev- en were constructed under ABS sur- veillance. The ABS chairman re- marked : "We are gratified at the extent to which the Bureau has been requested to participate in the de- velopments of these vessels. We feel the experience gained in the develop- ment of LNG carriers places the Bureau in an eminent position in the industry." During 1972, new design concepts for shipboard LNG tanks presented by designers and builders were evalu- ated by the Bureau's technical staff. At the same time, the Bureau's Re- search and Development Department continued to perfect innovative struc- tural analysis techniques which go beyond standard procedures and as- sure comprehensive evaluation of these vessels using the ABS DAISY computer system. "The DAISY com- puter system is one of which we are very proud, and which we consider to be the most sophisticated com- puter system presently being put to work in the international maritime industry," commented Mr. Young. DAISY was used during the year for analyses for plan approval pur- poses of 22 different designs of very large tankers, the majority of which exceeded 200,000 deadweight tons. The ABS chairman noted in his report that the Bureau was main- taining its position of prominence in the offshore drilling industry. With the assistance of the offshore indus- try, the Bureau's technical staff wrote and published the first industry-wide "Rules," or standards, for building and classing offshore mobile drilling units. From the time these "Rules" were published in 1968 to the begin- ning of this year, the Bureau has classed 7 column-stabilized units, 20 self-elevating units, and 8 surface- type units. Today, over 60 units of various types are building to Bureau classification, or are under review by its technical staff. Changing service conditions, operation experience, and development technology led the Bu- reau's technical staff and offshore industry representatives to revise the "Rules" and publish a 1973 edition. It was announced that the U.S. Ship Structure Committee has joined the SL-7 research project, and that the project has been expanded. The original project, jointly sponsored by ABS and Sea-Land, is now in the final stage. It involves mathematical analysis, structural model testing, and vessel instrumentation. The ex- panded project includes towing tank tests and further analytical study to determine the wave-induced torsional, vertical and lateral bending moments which may be experienced by the SL-7 container vessels in both regu- lar and irregular sea conditions. These parallel studies will provide a firm basis for comparison between meas- ured and predicted value. A further provision was made for the installation of strain gage re- corders to be installed on the eight high-speed ships for a period of years in order to determine the extreme midship bending stresses experienced by a single vessel during its lifetime. One of the eight vessels, the Sea- Land McLean, has been extensively instrumented in order to obtain tor- sional moments, bending moments, shear forces, deck deformation, and wave height data. The extensive SL-7 research project promises to emerge as a major contribution to ways in which all types of vessels may be studied for their fitness for intended service. A continuous growth in business was reported for ABS Worldwide Technical Services, Inc., the wholly owned subsidiary of the Bureau. ABSTECH has carried out condi- tion surveys on oil storage barges, unfired pressure vessels, deepsea div- ing equipment, and truck trailers. Quality assurance and certification services have been provided by AB- STECH on material handling de- vices, drydocks, harbor lock gates, and equipment for steel mills, hydro- electric plants, and the offshore drill- ing industry. ABSTECH has acted as owner's representative during the construction of cargo containers and new vessels, and for condition sur- veys of existing vessels. Insurance underwriters have enlisted the serv- ices of ABSTECH to carry out equipment condition surveys in in- dustrial plants, and for damage and towing surveys in some areas where such service is not easily obtainable. "ABSTECH looks to increase activ- ity in 1973," Mr. Young concluded. CORPORATION a unit of General Signal Rudder Angle Indicators ligital Clock System The means to monitor almost any shipboard condition is probably on our shelves, though most panels are designed to meet the particular needs of an individual vessel. Probably used more widely and specified more often than any other brand. The first choice is Henschel unications Telephone 617 3881103 Bells, Horns, Sirens We make numerous models and styles to meet the exacting needs of a marine environment and shipboard use. Systems Amesbury, Mass. 01913 Bell Logger Engine orders and Engine- room reply, throttle set- tings, actual shaft speed/ direction, plus other data as required are recorded with the exact time to the nearest second. Any number of remote units can be provided to show exactly synchronized time anywhere on board. April 15, 1973 47
