Rules for the Classification of Vessels and Offshore Installations

ABS Rules & Guides establish classification requirements for the safety related structure, machinery, systems and equipment of vessels and offshore installations. 

Our continuous program of research leverages new technologies to enhance existing standards and develop new requirements. New requirements are initially published as guides and, as they mature, are formally adopted as rules. In addition to formal requirements, relevant industry best practices are published in guidance notes. As appropriate, advisories are made available on topics of concern to industry with intent to clarify facts and provide advice.

ABS maintains over 200 rule sets, guides, guidance notes and advisories which are available either free via electronic download or selected printed copies can be purchased from the ABS online catalog . You can also search our archives for previous versions. ABS clients can access  all rules, guides and guidance notes via the Rule Manager application available from the ABS My Eagle client portal.

In January 2018, two new rule sets were published that greatly simplify clients access to ABS requirements:

• The new Rules for Building and Classing Marine Vessels consolidating the Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels, Rules for for Building and Classing Offshore Support Vessels and Rules for Building and Classing Vessels under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length. 
• The new Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Units consolidating the Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling Units and the Guide for Mobile Offshore Units. 

To verify that a ship or offshore asset continues to meet classification requirements, you can look up the Notations for the asset under the public ABS Record database.

Have more questions about how classification works? Reading the Conditions of Classification (part 1 for each Rule set) will help. 

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