protocols; quality services; and a range of engineering services. The American
Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has a world-wide staff of 1,475 including 300 engineers
located in 15 offices world-wide and 425 exclusive surveyors in 160 locations.
For comparison the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has a secretariat
staff of about 300. Many important bulk shipping companies have less than 100
shore-based staff. In these circumstances it is easy to see why, in addition to the
classification role, the class societies have developed a major role as technical
advisers to shipowners and governments.