ABS: Rules for Conditions of Classification (Part 1)

The American Bureau of Shipping has published the updated Rules for Conditions of Classification (Part 1).

This document was published on 1 July 2023.

Application of Rules (2018)

General (2023)

The requirements of the following Rules and Guides are applicable to those features that are permanent in nature and can be verified by plan review, calculation, physical survey or other appropriate means.

Any statement in the Rules regarding other features is to be considered as guidance to the designer, builder, manufacturer, Owner, operator or other client.

Where reference is made herein to the Rules or Guides, the latest edition of those Rules or Guides is intended.

● Rules for Building and Classing Marine Vessels

● Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels for Service on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways

● Rules for Building and Classing Steel Barges

● Rules for Building and Classing Underwater Vehicles, Systems and Hyperbaric Facilities

● Rules for Building and Classing Steel Floating Dry Docks

● Rules for Building and Classing Bulk Carriers for Service on the Great Lakes

● Rules for Building and Classing Yachts

● Guide for Vessels Intended to Carry Compressed Natural Gases in Bulk

● Guide for Building and Classing International Naval Ships

Application (2009)

The application of the Rules and Guides is, in general, based on the contract date for construction between the shipbuilder and the prospective Owner. (e.g., Rules which became effective on 1 July 2004 are not applicable to a vessel for which the contract for construction was signed on 30 June 2004.) See also 1-1-4/3.

Special consideration may be given to the application of the Rules and to the implementation of Rule changes to military vessels and vessels owned by Governments for non-commercial purposes.

The requirements in these Rules are the common requirements for conditions of classification of vessels.

Any unique requirements for a specific type of vessel are specified in the supplement to these Rules in each of the following Chapters.

These Rules are to be used together with the applicable supplemental Rules for the specific type of unit or structure.

Special Rules

Vessels which have been built to the satisfaction of the ABS Surveyors to the requirements as contained in the Rules for special types of vessels and which are approved by the Committee for unrestricted ocean service at the assigned freeboards, will be classed and distinguished in the Record by the symbols ✠A1 followed by the appropriate notation, such as Oil Carrier, Ore Carrier, Bulk Carrier, Ore or Oil Carrier, Oil or Bulk/Ore (OBO) Carrier, Liquefied Gas Carrier, Chemical Carrier, Passenger Vessel, Vehicle Carrier, Container Carrier, Towing Vessel, Refrigerated Cargo Carrier.

(See the “List of ABS Notations and Symbols” on the ABS website “www.eagle.org/rules/ downloads.html” for more information on the notations.)

If you need more information, please visit the ABS Rules and Guides page, where the document is available FOR FREE.

Sign up for our newsletter

Your most up-to-date maritime regulations news

Sign up

Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup.

It's free. No spam. Cancel anytime.