History
IACS was founded on September 11, 1968, in Hamburg, Germany. As of September 2011, its members are the thirteen largest marine classification societies in the world. More than 90% of the world's cargo carrying ships’ tonnage is covered by the classification standards set by the thirteen member societies of IACS. (Source: IACS Website)
IACS can trace its origins back to the International Load Line Convention of 1930 and its recommendations. The convention recommended collaboration between classification societies to secure "as much uniformity as possible in the application of the standards of strength upon which freeboard is based…".
Following the Convention, RINA hosted the first conference of major societies in 1939 - attended by ABS, BV, DNV, GL, LR and NK - which agreed on further cooperation between the societies.
A second major class society conference, held in 1955, led to the creation of working parties on specific topics and, in 1968, to the formation of IACS by seven leading societies. In 1969, IACS was given consultative status by the IMO. Its membership has increased since that time to the current twelve members.
Read more about this topic: International Association Of Classification Societies
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