MarAd, ABS sign research pact

MarAd, ABS sign research pact The Maritime Administration and the American Bureau of Shipping have agreed to coordinate portions of their respective maritime environmental research efforts in order to avoid duplication of effort, and achieve research synergies.
   Results of the collaborative research will be disseminated as widely as possible, MarAd and ABS said.
   Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton and Robert D. Somerville, chairman and chief executive officer of ABS, signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to coordinated research on issues such as port and vessel air emissions, invasive species associated with ballast water or hull biofouling, vessel impact on climate change and greenhouse gases, ship generated noise, environmental impact and energy efficiency use of alternative fuels in maritime settings, environmental impacts of vessel operations on the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans, and vessel waste management programs. Researchers from MarAd and ABS will also work together to find areas for future collaborative research.