Rocket Landing Platform Vessel Design Receives ABS Approval in Principle
(TOKYO) ABS has granted approval in principle (AIP) to Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (ISC), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), and TSUNEISHI SOLUTIONS TOKYOBAY Co., Ltd. (T-SOL) for their joint design of an unmanned autonomous offshore rocket recovery platform. In addition to the barge, the AIP covers the totality of the system required for recovery, which integrates an offshore support vessel and a land-based control station.
The innovative barge design is configured for offshore recovery operations and supports the return of reusable launch vehicles to Earth, allowing for significant cost savings. Recovery in offshore waters enhances overflight safety, while unmanned and autonomous operations significantly reduce risk to personnel involved in recovery activities. ABS completed design reviews based on class requirements featured in the ABS Requirements for Offshore Spaceports.
“ABS is proud to be at the forefront of shaping the infrastructure that makes offshore space operations possible. We are honored to collaborate with ISC, MOL, and T-SOL, bringing together expertise in offshore engineering and safety standards to support the emerging space infrastructure,” said Matthew Tremblay, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Offshore.
ABS has taken a leading role in the development of industry requirements for offshore space infrastructure. It published the world’s first requirements addressing the unique challenges of offshore spaceports in 2023 as well as a joint development project reviewing remotely controlled dynamic positioning functions of autonomous rocket recovery droneships with SpaceX. Learn more about ABS’ industry-leading work supporting the space industry here.
Photo Caption: Attendees gather at an ABS Approval in Principle (AIP) certificate ceremony during the 2026 Sea Japan International Maritime Exhibition and Conference. Pictured holding ABS AIP certificates (L to R): Kojiro Hatada, President and CEO, Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (ISC); Hiroyuki Kakehashi, Associate Executive Officer, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL); and Kenichi Shibata, President and Representative Director, TSUNEISHI SOLUTIONS TOKYOBAY Co., Ltd. (T-SOL). Also pictured: Timoteo Badalotti, ABS Principal Engineer, Global Sustainability (second from left); and Makoto Oba, ABS Director, Japan Business Development (third from right).
About ABS
ABS, a global leader in classification services, is focused on delivering a safer, cleaner future for the marine and offshore industries. For over 160 years, ABS has been setting standards for safety and excellence and continues to innovate in the fields of clean technology, digitalization and artificial intelligence, providing industry-leading technical advisory services. With a global network of surveyors, engineers, technology specialists and support staff, ABS works with industry leaders including its members and clients around the world to improve safety in operational performance and efficiency with innovative solutions for the complete life cycle of marine and offshore assets.
About ISC
Innovative Space Carrier Inc.(ISC), founded in 2022 and based in Tokyo Japan, is a forward-thinking space start-up with the mission of making space accessible to everyone by 2040. Initially focusing on the development of a small rocket for Low Earth Orbit (LEO), ISC`s ultimate goal is to create a Single-Stage-to-Orbit (SSTO) vehicle capable of transporting people and cargo to space, or enabling point-to-point travel anywhere on Earth in under 90 minutes.
About MOL
MOL is a leading shipping company, operating on a global scale with more than 900 vessels in service. The company develops various social infrastructure businesses centered on ocean shipping, as well as technologies and services to meet ever-changing social needs including environmental protection. The MOL fleet includes dry cargo ships, liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, car carriers, and tankers. In addition to the traditional shipping businesses, MOL also offers wellbeing & lifestyle businesses such as real property, terminal operation, and ferry service, as well as social infrastructure businesses such as logistics and offshore wind power. With one of the largest merchant fleets and over 140 years of history, experience, and technology, MOL will make a leap forward to become a global social infrastructure company, support people's daily lives from the blue ocean, open the way to a prosperous future, and deliver new value to all stakeholders. Website: https://www.mol.co.jp/en/
About T-SOL
TSUNEISHI SOLUTIONS TOKYOBAY Co., Ltd. (HQ: 2-3-2, Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan) is a fabless engineering company which, with the core technologies of ship development, design and construction cultivated over 100 years, over 40 years of experience in constructing LNG carriers and autonomous ship maneuvering and digitalization technology, contributes to solving the issues and needs of both society and customers related to maritime transportation, such as engineering for alternative fuel, improvement of safety and working environment of ship's crew, etc.