Maritime Glossary
Classification Society
Also known as: class society
A non-governmental organisation that establishes and maintains technical standards for ship design, construction, and maintenance.
Full Definition
Classification societies develop and apply technical rules to ensure ships are structurally sound and safe for their intended service. They conduct surveys (newbuilding, annual, intermediate, special) and issue class certificates and notations. Major societies — Lloyd's Register (LR), DNV, Bureau Veritas (BV), ABS, ClassNK, RINA, KR — form the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), which establishes unified requirements. Class notation covers hull structure, machinery, electrical, automation, and special features such as ice class and dynamic positioning.