There have been meetings annually on an informal basis since 1993. At the meeting held on 1 February, 2010 at Bali, Indonesia, it was unanimously agreed to formalize the association of ACS by adopting the ACS Charter.

ACS members were of  the unanimous view that there is a need to strengthen cooperation to better pursue the objectives of ACS which is to provide technical service of highest standards to the maritime industries and to enhance technical assistance and advise the regulatory bodies for the promotion of maritime safety and the protection of environment globally, in particular in the Asian region.

The current members of ACS are BKI (Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia), CCS (China Classification Society), IRS (Indian Register of Shipping), KR (Korean Register of Shipping), NK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) and VR (Vietnam Register).
The ACS Chairmanship is by rotation amongst the members with a term of one year. Mr. Li Kejun, Chairman & President of CCS, has taken over the new Chairmanship of ACS for the year 2010 from the outgoing Chairman of ACS Mr. Noboru Ueda, Chairman & President of NK. Mr  Oh Kong Gyun，Chairman and CEO of KR, was elected Vice Chairman of ACS.

The members agreed to establish a preparatory office in KR to help facilitate ACS work until the establishment of a permanent secretariat.

ACS extraordinary meeting was hosted by BKI and attended by all 6 member societies.