ABS has launched the ABS SeaTech Innovation Exchange, consisting of two advanced technology centres in Athens, Greece, and Houston, Texas, focused on accelerating maritime innovation, applied research, and partnership with leading academic institutions on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Exchange unites Houston’s research leadership with Athens’ operational experience in shipping, creating a collaborative environment designed to spur technology progress across the world’s commercial fleets. Focused on leading-edge maritime research and emerging technology incubation, the Exchange is intended to create a continuous pipeline of innovation from concept to application shaped to respond to the operational requirements of shipping.
John McDonald, ABS Chairman and CEO, said: “The Exchange concentrates on swiftly moving technology from development into day- to-day operations, working in direct partnership with the Greek maritime community while building new collaboration with US maritime institutions, technology start-ups, and government funded research. With our deep relationships in Greece and world-class US maritime technology heritage, ABS is uniquely placed to bring these communities together and drive development of the solutions we will need.”
Patrick Ryan, ABS CTO, said: “This is not a single facility, a one-time programme, or a traditional research project. It is a living exchange, designed to connect research to real world application, innovation to operations and technology to the next generation of maritime professionals. The Exchange reflects a shared commitment to collaboration, applied innovation and responsible deployment of new technologies, supporting safer, more resilient and more competitive maritime operations globally.”
The Houston centre serves as a hub for research and technology development, advancing capabilities in artificial intelligence, robotics, digital engineering, simulation and new approaches to certification. It works closely with technology start-ups, tier one research universities, international government researchers, and US maritime academies.
The Athens centre focuses on operationalisation, translating innovation into applied training and fleet‑informed development. Through advanced simulation, AI‑enabled learning environments and next‑generation operational concepts, the Exchange aims to bring new technologies directly into the settings where crews and operators prepare for service.
Together, the two centres have potential to strengthen workforce readiness, shorten development cycles and support the practical adoption of emerging technologies across commercial fleets.
Image: (L to R): Joshua Huck, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy of Greece; Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS EVP and CCP; and John Xylas, Executive Board Member, Union of Greek Shipowners (source: ABS)
