Classification Society
A Classification Society is a non-governmental technical organisation that establishes rules for the design, construction and operation of ships; surveys ships during construction and in service to verify compliance with those rules; and issues Class certificates attesting to compliance. Class certificates are essential for ship financing, insurance and trading.
The major class societies are members of IACS (International Association of Classification Societies):
- DNV (Norway)
- ABS (American Bureau of Shipping)
- Lloyd's Register (UK)
- Bureau Veritas (France)
- NK / ClassNK (Japan)
- RINA (Italy)
- CCS (China)
- KR (Korea)
- RS (Russia)
- IRS (India)
Class societies are often delegated by flag state administrations to certify compliance with international conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL) — so they wear two hats: rule-makers and government auditors.
Also known as
Class Society
IACS Member
Where this matters at WHIZTEC