ABS updates Guide for Sustainability Notations

The American Bureau of Shipping has launched updated Guide for Sustainability Notations, containing detailed requirements for greener offshore operations in the first sustainability guide to target the offshore industry.

The UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aims to provide a blueprint for a transition to a healthier planet.

With specific targets, the Goals, as applicable to the maritime industry, address areas such as waste streams, air emissions, energy efficiency, ship recycling, low-carbon fuels and human element considerations.

The Guide focuses on sustainability aspects of vessel design, outfitting and layout that can be controlled, measured, and assessed.

These include: pollution and waste, coastal and marine ecosystems, energy efficiency and performance monitoring, low-carbon fuels, human-centered design, and asset recycling.

The September 2022 edition specifies the requirements for offshore sustainability aspects including topsides and removes the date from the SUSTAIN-1 and SUSTAIN-2 notations.

The guide outlines how carbon reduction technologies such as zero-flaring and zero-methane slip policies can enable assets to receive the SUSTAIN-2 notation.

If you need more information, please visit the ABS Rules and Guides page, where the document is available FOR FREE.