American Bureau of Shipping
Budget
€100 — €0
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
11
1.25 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
American Bureau of Shipping is a not-for-profit organization created under statute in New York in 1862. As a member of the International Association of Classification Societies ABS is committed to promoting safety and excellence and is one of the world’s leading ship classification organizations. The mission of ABS is to serve the public interest as well as the needs of our members and clients by promoting the security of life and property and preserving the natural environment. ABS has been at the forefront of marine and offshore energy innovation for more than 150 years. In a constantly evolving industry, ABS works alongside its partners tackling the most pressing technical, operational and regulatory challenges so the marine and offshore industries can operate safely, securely and responsibly.
EU Legislative Interests
ABS has no direct influences. However, as a Member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), ABS is made aware, through the IACS Representative to the EU, of matters relating to ship safety and security and marine pollution prevention from the perspective of providing certification to ships as an EU Recognized Organization. IACS is an association of Classification Societies which establishes, reviews, promotes and develops minimum technical requirements in relation to the design, construction, maintenance and survey of ships and other marine related facilities. Also, IACS Members engage, on request, in dialogue and workshops with the EU on matters that may be of mutual interest. All EU Recognized Organizations, of which ABS is one, are required under Regulation (EC) No 391/2009 to periodically report to the European Commission on fundamental progress made in standards and Mutual Recognition of certificates for materials, equipment and components.
Interests Represented
Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members
Member Of
International Association of Classification Societies (IACS); Affiliated entity registered in Greece, ABS Hellenic SM LLC, is a member of Waterborne TP
Organisation Members
Broad governance oversight of ABS rests with its Members, who number over 1100 individuals, including owners, operators, builders, naval architects, marine engineers, equipment and material manufacturers, marine underwriters, government representatives and other persons eminent in marine and related endeavors. From the Members are elected the members of the Advisory Council, in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of ABS. The Board of Directors is composed of between nine and twelve Members, plus two representatives of the United States of America, if designated by the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Homeland Security, between one and three officers, and one or two individuals who are not Members of the Corporation, nor officers, nor representatives of the United States of America, who may represent the views of the independent broader public interest. Except for Rules governing the general terms and conditions on which ABS offers classification and associated services, final approval of the Rules of the Corporation lies with the Rules Committee which the Chief Executive Officer appoints annually from the officers and employees of the Corporation. The structure and composition of ABS’ governance bodies have been assessed and agreed by the European Commission. Please see link: https://ww2.eagle.org/content/dam/eagle/publications/members-book/ABS-Members-Book-2017.pdf https://ww2.eagle.org/en/news/publications/annual-review-archive.html
Additional Information
The US registered American Bureau of Shipping does not receive funding from the EU or any EU administrations for activities of the register. However, affiliated ABS companies registered within the EU do receive funding for participation in applicable EU projects, for example Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. The total amount of EU funding received: In 2017: 239,927 Euros No funding received during the 2018 closed financial year In 2019: 64,044 Euros In 2020: 145,289 Euros In 2021: 150,795 Euros In 2022: 516,189 Euros In 2023: 645,697 Euros In 2024: 1,159,063.27 Euros
Connected Legislation
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.