Viewed as being key to ensuring maritime safety and compliance with International Maritime Standards, Classification Societies are non-governmental organisations that carry out evaluations of new and old ships for the award of appropriate rating about the seaworthiness of the vessel.
A Society issues a Certificate of Classification if the construction and the operation of vessels are compliant with the Rules that the Society sets. Notwithstanding, that most Classification Societies establish rules that reflect International Conventions and Agreements, a Certificate of Classification is not a certificate of compliance with International Conventions but only that the vessel is in compliance with the rules established by the Society.
Reflecting the different definitions of ‘ship’ that jurisdictions employ, classification societies may be authorized to inspect ships, submarines, oil rigs, barges or other structures that may be registered under a flag. This is particularly relevant for the Malta Flag which imposes no restrictions on the type of vessel that can be registered, thus giving a number of ship owners the possibility of registering unconventional vessels under the Maltese flag.
