Rocket Landing Platform Vessel Design Receives ABS Approval in Principle

27 April 2026

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). (Image credit: ABS)

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. To learn more about ABS’ industry-leading work supporting the space industry, visit: https://ww2.eagle.org/en/Products-and-Services/offshore-energy/offshore-space-support.html