Founded in 1956, China Classification Society (CCS) is the only specialized organization of China to provide classification services. CCS aims to provide services for the shipping, shipbuilding, offshore exploitation and related manufacturing industries and marine insurance by furnishing reasonable and reliable classification requirements and providing independent, impartial and integral classification and statutory services to ships and offshore installations, for the promotion and safeguarding of the safety of life and property at sea and for the prevention of pollution to the marine environment.

     CCS is one of the ten full members of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), and chaired IACS Council respectively in 1996-1997 and 2006-2007. Its highest class notation has been included in the Classification Clauses of the Institute of London Underwriters (ILU). By the end of June 2008, CCS had been authorized by governments of 28 countries or regions to perform statutory surveys for the ships flying their flags. CCS is also the associate members to the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) and the International Association of Independent Tankers Owners (INTERTANKO). CCS has established 58 branches/offices both at home and abroad, forming a global service network.

CCS defines its business nature as “Risk Management” and focuses on “three major business lines and two supporting systems,” featuring ship classification, domestic ship inspection and industrial services—the three major business lines, and the rules & research and the information technology services—the two supporting systems. By sticking to the policy of building a first-rate international classification society with unique characteristics upon technology and trust, CCS is striving to forge a quality brand and has made remarkable achievements.

     By the end of June 2008, CCS classed fleet stood over 27m GT and domestic fleet reached 13m GT. CCS also obtained through bidding the contract for inspection of China’s first 3,000 meter deep water drilling unit for China National Offshore Oil Corp.

      In addition to the steady and healthy development of the main traditional business including certification, supervision and testing services, CCS continued to maintain its leading edge among domestic industries in the supervision for large bridge engineering projects, large port equipment and systems during construction and installation, and large heavy lift equipment during construction and installation respectively, and is speeding up the construction of the so-called “land-based classification society”.