Over 90% of the world’s merchant shipping tonnage is classified by the 12 member societies of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).
Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas, IACS makes a unique contribution to maritime safety and regulation through technical support, compliance verification and research and development.
IACS was formed in 1968 to promote high standards in safety, prevent pollution and liaise closely with the shipping industry and organisations.
IACS members classify many ships, and most international administrations use the IACS members’ rules and regulations as the basis of their fleet’s license to operate, including compliance with mandatory requirements. The members conduct surveys annually and play an active part in the workings of the IMO.
It has a voice in the development of international conventions and also in providing technical support to member states of the IMO. IACS eliminates substandard ships and increases the sophistication of ship design and operations. IACS members include ABS (US of A), BV (France), CCS (China), CRS (Croatia), DNV GL (Germany), IRS (India), KR (South Korea), LR (UK), PRS (Poland), RINA (Italy), RS (Russia) and ClassNK (Japan).
The Contribution of IACS
With its extensive knowledge of the industry and fleet, IACS contributes to international shipping and regulations, depending on the input from members. Although it is a non-governmental organisation, it holds a consultative status with the IMO and regularly participates in the capacity of an observer as well as an adviser to the IMO and the member states. This includes participation in the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), International Safety Management (ISM), as well as any other sub-committees and such.
IACS had a vital role in the implementation of ISM, a mainstay in the shipping industry today, wherein IACS developed guidelines and provided interpretations of the ISM Code. Having the majority of the world’s fleet under its purview and the extensive knowledge associated with it, IACS also enables cooperation with the Port State Control (PSC) to ensure high quality in the maritime field.
