Leading classification society ABS said it has signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with several Korean entities to advance local research and development (R&D) efforts.
On 19 October, ABS President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki signed an MOU with the Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) to join in international projects through equity participation in overseas LNG projects.
The scope of the agreement includes technological cooperation, training and co-hosting seminars related to R&D in offshore LNG development, including LNG cargo containment systems, LNG floating storage and regasification units, floating storage and offloading units, LNG fueled ships, bunkering and subsea exploration and production.
“ABS has been a pioneer in advancing LNG technologies,” Wiernicki said. “and partnering with KOGAS – a company with a strong history of LNG development – will provide both the expertise and resources to continue extending the boundaries of what is possible.”
KOGAS Executive Vice President and CTO Dr. Young-Myung Yang also sees great potential for collaboration between KOGAS and ABS. “I am sure that we can establish a good partnership for mutual growth,” he said.
In addition to the KOGAS MOU, ABS signed MOUs for academic collaboration with Pusan National University on 18 October 2012 and with Seoul National University on 19 October 2012, where Wiernicki presented a lecture titled “Future Challenges for Ship and Offshore Engineering.”
“It is important to encourage careers in the marine and offshore industries, and it was gratifying to be able to share with the students at the Seoul National University the exciting technology challenges they will be instrumental in solving,” says Wiernicki.
“The MOUs we’ve just signed present an exciting opportunity for mutually beneficial cultural exchange and scientific advancement,” Wiernicki says. “The cooperative research that will be undertaken by ABS and KOGAS and with these prestigious universities will be vital to successful innovation and technology development. I believe the partnerships that we are officially acknowledging as we sign these MOUs provide a solid foundation on which we can build and innovate together.”
[mappress] LNG World News Staff, November 02, 2012; Image: Kogas