With ESG considerations becoming increasingly important for offshore vessel owners, ABS has issued a class environmental sustainability notation ‘SUSTAIN-1’ to Tasik Toba Subsea’s subsea operations vessel Southern Star
Managed by Thome Offshore, dynamic positioning class-3 Southern Star can perform inspection, repair and maintenance, SURF installation, light and medium construction and deepwater intervention.
Achieving SUSTAIN-1 means the design and construction of the vessel is assessed against and adheres to the requirements of standard Marpol and other IMO requirements as laid out in the ABS Guide for Sustainability Notations.
The SUSTAIN-1 notation demonstrates the vessel’s alignment with key elements of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Achieving the ‘SUSTAIN-1’ notation followed a thorough survey by an ABS inspector at Port Taranaki, New Plymouth, New Zealand.
Areas which were reviewed included the vessel’s rubbish management and storage facilities, solutions to mitigate underwater noise radiation, the implementation of ABS-approved Ship Energy Management Efficiency Plan (SEEMP) and having a biofouling management plan with an onboard record book recording in place.
Reflecting on the recognition, Thome Group chief executive Olav Nortun said the award of the “ABS ‘SUSTAIN-1’ notation demonstrates a clear commitment of the owners to the environment and to crew to ensure that sound practises are followed.
The Thome Group recently published its inaugural Sustainability Report and fully supports the UN Sustainability Goals, especially with regards to environmental stewardship where it is concentrating on reducing onboard waste generation and minimising spills and leaks.
Tasik Subsea director Mike Meade added, “Reducing our vessels’ impact on the environment has always been a key aim of our business and this notation demonstrates the commitment and determination of the dedicated teams at both Tasik Subsea and Thome Group to gain this class notation.”
ABS director of sustainability strategy Panos Koutsourakis said, “The notation recognises forward-looking operators’ commitment to supporting the UN SDGs and to maintaining a sustainable fleet. It reflects the owners and operators’ commitment to a holistic, as opposed to an incremental, approach toward sustainability.”
This is not the first time Southern Star has been in the spotlight because of its forward-thinking owners. In 2021, 4,500-dwt Southern Star achieved a world first when it became the first vessel to receive the ABS Infectious Disease Mitigation-Arrangement (IDM-A) notation.
Flying the Marshall Islands flag, the offshore support vessel was built at the Culu Shipyard of Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding.
