Memorial University Program to Study Marine and Offshore Structures in Harsh Ocean Environments

ST. JOHN'S, NL, April 3, 2012 /CNW/ - Newfoundland and Labrador's knowledge and technological capacity for ships and offshore structures operating in harsh ocean environments is about to be strengthened with the launch of a research program at Memorial University's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.

The Research & Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador (RDC) and ABS of Houston, Texas today announced a combined $600,000 investment for the ABS Harsh Environment Technology Centre and associated research program. This investment will fund research on how ship and offshore structures can be improved to work more effectively in volatile ocean conditions, such as the North Atlantic.

"This partnership further demonstrates Newfoundland and Labrador as a recognized leader on the international stage when it comes to research and development of technologies for ships and offshore structures operating in harsh environments," said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister Responsible for RDC. "Worldwide, there is an industry need for this type of research and development. Our geography, academic environment and strong economy make Newfoundland and Labrador the best place for international companies to learn about operating in cold ocean environments."

The research program within the ABS Harsh Environment Technology Centre will focus on themes such as dynamic positioning in ice, produced water management, ballast water management, corrosion protection of ships and platforms and fire and explosion assessment.

"This investment is a significant development for our province as we continue to build research capacity in the ocean technology sector," said Glenn Janes, CEO of RDC. "Academic researchers at Memorial University will be able to work with international partners such as ABS to expand research that can develop solutions for companies operating in challenging marine conditions."

Founded in 1862, ABS is a leading non-governmental international classification society devoted to promoting the security of life, property and the marine environment through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine-related facilities.

"ABS collaborated with Memorial University of Newfoundland and RDC to establish the ABS Harsh Environment Technology Centre," stated Todd Grove, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. "ABS and Memorial University have developed a strong working relationship during the last few years while producing important research in this field. With this additional support we will build on our previous efforts and continue to assist the marine and offshore industry in tackling the challenges they face in harsh and arctic environments."

ABS has a longstanding relationship with Memorial University. In 2009, a memorandum of understanding was signed to create the ABS Harsh Environment Technology Centre on the St. John's campus to support the development of technologies for ships and offshore structures operating in harsh environments. Today's investment builds on the relationship with ABS and will strengthen Memorial University's expertise in a strategic research area.

"Memorial University's Faculty of Engineering has the unique resources and expertise needed to address the challenges of ship and structure design for harsh offshore environments," said Dr. Gary Kachanoski, President and Vice-Chancellor, Memorial University. "Ultimately, the research stemming from this investment will help our students, faculty and industry partners make ocean-related industries safer and more productive."

ABS has worked closely with the Ocean Engineering Research Centre (OERC) within Memorial's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science to develop the ABS Harsh Environment Technology Centre and the associated research program, which will be led by Dr. Wei Qiu, associate professor and director of the OERC.

"We look forward to continued collaboration with ABS and RDC," said Dr. Qiu. "This support will allow the OERC to expand its activities in improving ship and offshore structure design and safety operations in harsh ocean environments."

About the Research & Development Corporation
The Research & Development Corporation is a provincial Crown corporation responsible for improving Newfoundland and Labrador's R&D performance. RDC works with R&D stakeholders including business, academia and government agencies and departments. In Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government allocated more than $19 million to make strategic research and development related investments in people, strategic opportunities and infrastructure. For more information about RDC, go to www.researchnl.com.

About  ABS
Founded in 1862, ABS is a leading non-governmental international classification society devoted to promoting the security of life, property and the marine environment through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine-related facilities.

About Memorial University of Newfoundland
Founded in 1925 as a memorial to Newfoundland's war dead, Memorial University College was elevated to degree-granting status in 1949 as Memorial University of Newfoundland. Today, the university is the largest in Atlantic Canada, with about 18,000 students. Memorial provides excellent undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in virtually all disciplines. Outstanding research and scholarship, extraordinary teaching and a focus on community service are the university's hallmarks. Many teaching and research activities reflect our mid-North Atlantic locations; these unique settings and our cultural heritage have led to the creation of highly-regarded academic programs and specialized facilities in areas such as music, linguistics, folklore and human genetics, as well as earth sciences, cold-ocean engineering, rural health care and archaeology. For more information about Memorial University of Newfoundland, please go to www.mun.ca.

Media contacts:

Jeff Green
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Research & Development Corporation
709-758-0973, 691-8892
[email protected]

Meaghan Whelan
Communications Co-ordinator
Office of the Vice-President (Research)
Memorial University of Newfoundland
709-864-4073, 687-9243
[email protected] 

Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Business and Rural
Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
[email protected]

Rob Whitney
Manager - External Affairs
ABS
703-519-9986
[email protected]