While the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) celebrates its 150th birthday in 2012 – ABS was founded in 1862 – the classification[ds_preview] society also alters parts of its company structure. Due to increasing commercial relationship between Dubai, India and Singapore, the Middle East Region, headquartered in Dubai and responsible for the society’s activities in the area, will now fall under the Pacific Division, headquartered in Singapore, rather than ABS Europe, headquartered in London.
Furthermore, ABS President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki announced that Vice President and current Chief Engineer Dr. Kirsi Tikka will transfer to London to assume the role of President and COO of the Europe Division,which is responsible for the day-to-day operations throughout Scandinavia, Northern and Southern Europe, the British Isles, the wider Mediterranean region and Africa. Tikka takes over from John McDonald who is transferring to Houston as Vice President and Chief of Staff. Tikka has previously served as the society’s Vice President of Global Technology and Business Development, of Technology and of Engineering within the Europe Division. She holds a Doctorate in Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering.
