The American Bureau of Shipping, a Houston-based nonprofit organization since 1862, sets maritime standards known as rules for the design, construction and maintenance of ships. ABS is an entirely nonprofit organization of eminently qualified shipbuilders, owners, naval architects, marine engineers, marine underwriters and government officials in 70 countries, who certify adherence to rules. ABS manages hundreds of research projects at all times and is involved or aware of all maritime projects internationally. ABS mission is security of life, property and maritime natural resources. The ABS naval vessel rules were first published in 1870 as Rules for Survey and Classification of Wooden Vessels. ABS later published Rules for Survey and Classification of Steel Vessels in 1890, followed by Rules for Building and Classing Mobile Offshore Drilling, Submersibles and Aluminum Vessels.
ABS classifies ships by surveying them during design, construction, maintenance and repairs. Hull structures are analyzed for safety and load capacity. Surveyors attend ship construction from the laying of the keel or longest beam at the bottom of the boat to the test of the machinery, elevators, refrigeration and electrical system. The new vessel is sea-tested by a formal test plan. If each surveyor finds the ship compliant with the survey rules for classifying ships, the ship is formally certified. Every certified ship is surveyed periodically while in use and drydocked for survey and maintenance every five years. Vessels that do not follow the ABS rules or meet ABS standards are suspended or canceled.
ABS developed new standards for tankers and certifies Liquid Natural Gas tankers with International Oil Pollution Prevention certificates. ABS designates ships fit or not fit to carry liquid or compressed natural gas or dangerous chemicals in bulk. ABS rules for transportation and storage of natural gas are followed by more than 100 governments. ABS International ship and port facilities codes are industry standard. Vessels are associated with a home port and a ship number. Safe load line tonnage is the maximum cargo the vessel is permitted to carry. ABS issues Panama and Suez canal tonnage certificates. ABS works together with the U.S. Coast Guard for certification of merchant ships and ships enrolled in the coast guard.
