Nautical Term: Classification societies
Definition of Classification societies
Classification societies are organizations that establish and enforce standards for the design, construction, and ongoing operation of marine vessels and their integrated machinery. Some well-known classification societies include Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, and the American Bureau of Shipping, among many others. These organizations play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of international maritime commerce.
For example, when a shipyard constructs a new vessel, the builder may choose to have the vessel classified by a recognized classification society. The society’s surveyors would conduct a thorough inspection of the vessel’s design, construction, and machinery to ensure that it meets the society’s stringent safety and efficiency standards. Once the vessel has been approved by the classification society, it can be certified as compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations, among other maritime safety and efficiency requirements. This process helps to ensure that the vessel is safe, efficient, and compliant with all applicable maritime regulations and standards.
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