This document summarizes the role and services of classification societies. Classification societies develop technical standards, review ship designs, and conduct periodic surveys to certify that ships meet standards for safety and mechanical fitness. The American Bureau of Shipping is a leading classification society, with over 1500 employees and 225 offices worldwide. It develops over 60 rules and guides, reviews over 20,000 hours of engineering per month, and surveys over 7000 ships totaling over 15 million gross tons under construction. In addition to classification, the ABS can certify vessels under international conventions like ISM, ISPS, MLC, and issue certificates required by SOLAS and MARPOL for safety and pollution prevention.

1. CLASSIFICATION
SOCIETY
Prepared by:
Y. Çağlar Özpınar

2. CLASSIFICATION SOCIETY
• Classification is a process which certifies
adherence to a recognized set of technical
standards, representing that a ship or other
type of marine structure is structurally sound
and mechanically fit for its intended purpose.

3. The Classification Process
• Develop Technical Standards (Rules)
• Developed through industry-based technical committee
structure
• Embraces recognized external standards
• Updated annually
• Customized when necessary
• (new technology/new application)
• Implement Technical Standards
• Design Plan review and engineering analysis
• Survey during construction
• Periodic survey throughout vessel life

4. Rules and Guides
• Rules are the foundation of the process
• Over 60 sets of Rules and Guides
• Developed with industry
Industry Committee Based
• Peer review from all relevant parties
• Continual feedback and update
• Calibrated to proven experience

5. American Bureau of Shipping
World leader in ship safety and environmental protection
since 1862
-1500 people -225 offices
-81 countries - ISO 9000 certified
• 60+ Rules and Guides
• 10,000 ships in class (250+ Government)
• totaling over 100 million gross tons
• 20,000 manhours engineering review per month
• 708 new construction ships under survey (15 million gross tons)
• Industry and Government Involved in Management and Operations

6. Engineering Group
• OED - Offshore Engineering Department
• AA - Advanced Analysis Department
• SED - Ship Engineering Department
• Materials & Welding Department
• Naval Engineering Department

7. American Bureau of Shipping Rules
• Steel Vessel Rules
• Steel Barges - Ocean Service Barges of any Length
• Steel Vessels Under 90 m - Crewboats, Tugs
• High Speed Naval Craft- Patrol Boats HSVs
• Steel Vessels for Service on Rivers, ICW - River Barges, Towboats
• Bulk Carriers for Service on the Great Lakes - Freshwater Operations
• Reinforced Plastic Vessels - F. R. P. Vessels
• Aluminum Vessels - Aluminum Commercial Vessels 100’ - 500’
• Naval Vessel Rules
• MODU - Mobile Offshore Drilling Units

8. American Bureau of Shipping Guides
• Motor Pleasure Yachts - Steel, Aluminum, or FRP
• High Speed Craft, - Commercial/Government Service Planing vessels
• Fishing Vessels - Steel Fishing Vessels Under 90 m (200’)
• Offshore Racing Yachts - Steel, Aluminum, or FRP Sailing Vessels
• Fire Fighting Vessels - Steel Fireboats
• Crew Accommodations Guide
• Oil Recovery Vessels - Oil Spill Cleanup Vessels
• Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessels - (FPSO)
• Small Waterplane Area Twin Hulled Vessels - (SWATH)

9. Certification of Given by ABS
• ISM
• ISPS
• MLC
• HSE
• SOLAS & MARPOL

10. ISM (INTERNATIONAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT)
• SOLAS adopted the ISM Code in 1994 and incorporated it
into chapter IX. By 1998 much of the commercial shipping
community was required to be in compliance with the ISM
code. By 2002 almost all of the international shipping
community was required to comply with the ISM Code
The purpose of ISM Code is:
• To ensure Safety at Sea
• To prevent human injury or loss of life
• To avoid damage to the environment and to the ship.

11. ISPS (The International Ship and
Port Facilities Security Code)
The main objectives of the ISPS Code are:
• To detect security threats and implement security
measures
• To establish roles and responsibilities concerning
maritime security for governments, local
administrations, ship and port industries at the national
and international level
• To collate and promulgate security-related information
• To provide a methodology for security assessments so
as to have in place plans and procedures to react to
changing security levels

12. MLC (Maritime Labour Convention)
• The objective is, in accordance with the Maritime
Labour Convention to certify the working and living
condition of all ships over 500 GT in international
trade.

13. HSQE (Health, Safety, Quality and
Environmental Management)
• The ABS Guide for Marine Health, Safety, Quality
and Environmental Management provides a
management system model for safe operation.
Companies that meet the requirements of this Guide
can earn a certificate and additional notations in the
ABS Record

14. SOLAS (SAFETY of LIFE at SEA) &
MARPOL (MARINE POLLUTION)
SOLAS (SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA)
At the time of construction and throughout
a vessel's service life, based on satisfactory
review and survey of the vessel, we can issue
the following SOLAS certificates:
1. Safety Construction Certificate (SLC)
2. Safety Equipment Certificate (SLE)
3. Safety Radio Certificate (SLR)
4. Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (SLP)

15. MARPOL (MARINE POLLUTION)
As a part of the review and survey process
required for SOLAS certificates, upon request,
perform additional reviews and surveys required
for the following MARPOL certificates:
1. International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) Certificate
2. IMO Certificate of Fitness for Ships Carrying Liquefied
Gases in Bulk (IGC)
3. IMO Certificate of Fitness for Carriage of Dangerous
Chemicals in Bulk (IBC)
4. International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) Certificate

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