AMERICAN BUREAU OF SHIPPING

American  Bureau  of  Shipping.An  organization  of  marine  underwriters,  shipbuilders,  and

marine carriers charged with conducting research, technological development, officer training, and

standards  of  building,  maintaining,  and  operating  seagoing  vessels  and  stationary  offshore

facilities. • The organization was founded in 1862 as the American Shipbuilders’ Association. Its

name was changed in 1898, and it was formally recognized in the Merchant Marine Act of 1920.

Its core mission is to promulgate rules for evaluating the design of new vessels and structures and

for maintaining all existing vessels and structures. — Abbr. ABS. See ABS RULES . [Blacks Law 8th]