GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 16, 2026
American Bureau of Shipping
Unlike government maritime authorities, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is a private, independent classification society that develops and enforces technical standards for vessel design, construction, and operation, as well as offshore structures.
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Definition & Explanation
Unlike government maritime authorities, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is a private, independent classification society that develops and enforces technical standards for vessel design, construction, and operation, as well as offshore structures. Shipowners submit their fleets to periodic ABS surveys; vessels that comply receive an ABS class certificate, recognised by lenders, underwriters, and port state control officers as evidence that the ship meets rigorous safety and structural requirements. Founded in 1862, ABS is one of the world's oldest classification societies and a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), alongside peers such as DNV, Bureau Veritas, and Lloyd's Register.
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