ABS-green-lights-SMB-Offshore-low-emissions-FPSO-design

ABS green-lights SBM Offshore low-emissions FPSO design

SPRING, May 8, 2025 – US ship classification society ABS has issued an approval in principle for SBM Offshore’s concept design of a low-emissions FPSO, SBM Offshore announced on Thursday.

The proposed vessel design – called NearZero FPSO – incorporates an array of low-carbon and abatement technologies that together result in a near-zero Scope 3 emissions profile and a reduction of up to 80% in overall GHG emissions.

Among the technologies included in the design are fully electric topsides, closed flares, carbon capture and seawater intake risers. According to SBM Offshore, the combination of technologies lowers both the emissions generated during operations and the ship’s overall power demands.

“This approval by ABS is evidence of SBM Offshore’s pioneering development efforts in this field over the past years. We are proud to collaborate with our partners and to make a significant contribution to low-carbon offshore energy production,” said Jaap-Harm Westhuis, SBM Offshore’s director of Technology and Product Development.

ABS classes a large proportion of the world’s FPSO newbuilds and conversions. The company completed their review of SMB Offshore’s design based on class and statutory requirements.

Illustrative photo of Liza Unity FPSO courtesy of SBM Offshore

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