Summary

Classification Societies are independent organisations that promote the security of life, property and the environment of ships and offshore structure by the establishment and administration of standards, known as classification rules, for the design, construction, and operational maintenance of marine vessels and structures. The rules and guides on which classification is predicated are of prescriptive nature, and have been historically established from principles of naval architecture, marine engineering and other scientific principles. In recent years, with the advances in risk assessment methodology, classification societies are gradually starting to use risk assessment tools into their activities. This paper presents the general philosophy that ABS, as a major classification society, is considering in the development and implementation of a risk-based procedure for classification, together with the main research projects related to this strategy. The challenges and lessons learned during the evolution from a prescriptive regulatory environment into a risk and performance based setting are described