Rules and Guides

The heart of our classification organization, ABS Rules and Guides are derived from principles of naval architecture, marine engineering and related disciplines. Currently, ABS has more than 200 Rules, Guides and Guidance Notes available for download. You can search the complete current collection of ABS Rules and Guides below, or for older publications, search our archived database of ABS Rules and Guides.

 

Top Rule: Rules for Building and Classing Marine Vessels



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Current Database of ABS Rules and Guides




Pub# ^

Title ^

Comments

Pub Date ^

Last Update ^

1

Rules for Building and Classing Marine Vessels

January 2025

January 2025

13

Certification of Cargo Containers

August 1998

June 2001

18

Ballast Water Exchange Procedures

January 1999

January 1999

86

Application of Ergonomics to Marine Systems

August 2013

August 2013

92

Marine Health, Safety, Quality, Environmental and Energy Management <Br>(The ABS Guide for Marine Management Systems)

April 2020

April 2020

97

Risk Assessment Applications for the Marine and Offshore Industries

April 2020

April 2020

102

Guide for Crew Habitability on Ships

September 2024

September 2024

103

Guide for Passenger Comfort on Ships

September 2024

September 2024

105

Crew Habitability on Offshore Installations

February 2016

February 2016

111

Ship Security (SEC) Notation

March 2005

January 2017

114

Guide for Automatic or Remote control and Monitoring for machinery and Systems (other than Propulsion) on Offshore Installations

July 2024

July 2024

115

Fatigue Assessment of Offshore Structures

June 2020

June 2020

142

Investigation of Marine Incidents

June 2005

February 2014

154

Guide for Means of Access to Tanks and Holds for Inspection

January 2024

January 2024

162

Comfort on Yachts (2019)

March 2019

March 2019

163

Guide for Crew Habitability on Workboats

February 2016

February 2016

166

Compliance with the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 Title 3 Requirements

September 2014

September 2014

170

Guide for Rapid Response Damage Assessment

May 2024

May 2024

171

Ballast Water Exchange

June 2020

June 2020

183

Certification of Seafarer Recruitment and Placement Service Providers

July 2011

July 2011

185

Integrated Software Quality Management (ISQM)

2012 - See archive for previous version

September 2012

February 2016

188

Safety Culture and Leading Indicators of Safety

January 2012

February 2014

191

Guide for Dynamic Positioning Systems

April 2025

April 2025

192

Biofouling Management Plans

August 2019

August 2019

196

Management of Change for the Marine and Offshore Industries

February 2013

February 2013

197

Accidental Load Analysis and Design for Offshore Structures

February 2013

February 2013

198

Job Safety Analysis for the Marine and Offshore Industries

March 2013

March 2013

201

Guide for Ergonomic Notations (2021)

September 2021

September 2021

202

Guide for Enhanced Fire Protection Arrangements

July 2022

July 2022

203

Guide for Certification of Maritime Education Facilities and Training Courses (CMET)

May 2024

May 2024

208

Implementation of Human Factors Offshore Installations

July 2014

July 2014

209

Noise and Vibration Control for Inhabited Spaces

September 2017

September 2017

210

Guide for Gas and Other Low-Flashpoint Fuel Ready Vessels

September 2024

September 2024

212

Requirements for the Class Notation for Bow or Stern Loading and Unloading (BLU or SLU) for Oil Carriers, Liquefied Gas Carriers or Chemical Carriers

July 2022

July 2022

213

Class Notation Helicopter Decks and Facilities (HELIDK and HELIDK(SRF))

April 2008

October 2015


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ABS hereby grants the user permission to download, copy and use, including posting to the user's intranet site, the material posted in the electronic format. The user hereby agrees that any copy of the materials, in part or in whole, that the user makes shall retain all copyright and other proprietary notices contained therein and that the information will not be altered in any manner.

ABS makes every reasonable effort to ensure that the information provided in the posted electronic files represents complete, current and accurate information. However, the user has sole responsibility for maintaining the currency of the information accessed in this manner. ABS, its subsidiaries, affiliates, agents and employees shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the possession, publication, use of or reliance on any information accessed in this manner.

Current ABS approved electronic versions of all Rules and Guides are most effectively accessed by establishing a hyperlink of your local intranet directly to the ABS Rules and Guides on the ABS website.

Current Rules and Guides

ABS Rules and Guides are derived from principles of naval architecture and marine engineering.

 

Archived Rules and Guides

You can search the complete collection of archived ABS Rules and Guides in our database below.