ABS said its review of the Merlin Deepsea Riser System, which is designed to collect polymetallic nodules at depths of 6,000 meters below the surface of the Pacific, was an industry first.
The riser was designed in accordance with ABS' Guide for Subsea Mining, which established requirements for the design, construction, installation and survey of mobile offshore mining units.
OSI has previously used the Merlin design for oil and gas applications such as tension leg platform (TLP) tendons, drilling and completion riser, caissons and floating production system turrets.
It won a contract last June to supply Japanese mining equipment distributor Cosmos Shoji with an automated hands-free deepsea mining riser system.
"This technology opens up a new frontier in deep sea mineral extraction, capable of operating in harsh conditions and at extreme depths. We are proud to be able to support this pioneering project," said Matt Tremblay, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Offshore.
"We are pleased to have worked with ABS on the design review and qualification to Class requirements of this deep sea mineral riser system," said Brian Mizell, OSI's Vice President of Business Development.
