Classification Societies

GROUP 4
CLASSIFIATION SOCIETIES
- organizations which
develop and apply
technical standards for
the design, construction
and survey of ships and
which carry out surveys
and inspections on board
ships.
CLASSIFIATION SOCIETIES
- set the technical and
operational standards for
different kinds of ships,
carriers and offshore
structures concerning their
design, construction,
surveying and testing,
after which the vessels are
given a class certificate.
CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES
 Worldwide there are more than 50 classification
societies but only 11 classification societies are
presently recognized by the European Union.
This recognition allows them to act as
recognized organization on behalf of EU
member States.
Roles and Responsibilities of
Classification Societies
 Ship Registration
and Classification
Any ship over 100 GT (Gross Tonnage)
irrespective of whether it is a cargo vessel,
fishing vessel or passenger vessel, must be
registered and linked to a particular
state/flag.

Registration grants the ship physical and

legal protection of that flag state which may
be applied to vital areas such as safety of
cargo and life of those on board the ship.
 Ship Registration
and Classification
By linking a ship to a State, the system of
ship registration indicates that that State has
the right to protect that ship in international
law and upon registration, the ship will be
assigned an Official Number by the ship
registry which becomes it identification.

The registration of a ship plays an important

role in ensuring safety and security of the
ship.
ITS PURPOSES ARE:
 To publish its own
classification rules in relation
to the design construction
and survey of ships;
 To apply, maintain and update
these rules and regulations;
 To verify compliance with
these rules during
construction and periodically
during a classed ship’s life;
 To publish a register of
classed ships;
Additionally,
 A Classification Certificate is
issued by the Classification
Society for the inspections
and surveys done and this
certificate is required to be
present on board the ship for
any inspections by Port State
Controls or other authorities
from time to time.
The IACS (International Association of Classification Societies)
consists of 12 member societies as listed below :
 American Bureau of  Korean Register (KR)
Shipping (ABS)  Lloyd’s Register (LR)
 Bureau Veritas (BV)  Class NK (NK)
 China Classification Society  Polish Register of Shipping
(CCS) (PRS)
 Croatian Register of  RINA
Shipping (CRS)  Russian Maritime Register of
 DNV-GL Shipping
 Indian Register of Shipping
(IRS)
 Importance of Classification
Societies in the Maritime Industry
Maritime classification societies were born out
of a need to ensure the continued safety and
security of the maritime domain with respect
to the vessels and the various marine aiding
constructions. The role of a classification
society is thus quite set and of utmost
importance.

In the absence of classification societies for

ships, there would be no benchmark or
guideline standards for vessels and other
constructions to adhere to.
A classification society for ships helps to
achieve the following:

Coming up with a detailed notational system

for the vessels and constructions to be graded
Ensuring that the vessels and constructions
comply with this grading system by carrying
out appropriate appraisals
Assigning the required class or grade to a
vessel and continued appraisals to ensure
that the vessels adherence to the prescribed
class notations
THANK YOU
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