Classification and Certification

Abstract

Abstract This article deals with the history of classification societies from their early establishment covering the needs of marine insurers to assess the condition of ship hulls to their current role within the maritime and offshore industry. Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping was reconstituted as a self‐standing “classification society” in 1834. Following the recommendations of the International Load Line Convention of 1930 for class societies to collaborate, a major Class Society Conference in 1955 led to the creation of Working Parties on specific topics and, in 1968, to the formation of International Association of Class Societies (IACS) by seven leading societies. “Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping” was reconstituted as a self‐standing “classification society” in 1834. Following the recommendations of the International Load Line Convention of 1930 for class societies to collaborate, a major class society conference in 1955 led to the creation of working parties on specific topics and, in 1968, to the formation of International Association of Class Societies (IACS) by seven leading societies. The classification is a system for safeguarding life and property at sea and the environment due to operational consequences, having a ‘cradle‐to‐grave’ approach, with an involvement starting during the design phase, continuing during the building at the yard and production of the installed machinery and systems, and with a follow‐up during the operational use of the unit. The class societies' involvement is expected take a third‐party role and thus to be impartial and independent from owner, yard, and other commercial interests.