Container Certification

& Inspection Services

Container Certification
& Inspection Services
Independent, third-party certification of the
structural integrity of cargo containers, including
tank and reefer containers, is a necessity if cargo
is to move globally and safely.
ABS has been involved in the container industry since its
inception. Drawing on experience gained in setting technical
standards for the maritime industry, ABS develops Rules
in accordance with industry regulations and recognized
standards including those from the International Maritime
Organization (IMO), United Nations (UN) and International
Organization for Standardization (ISO).

ABS is a global leader

in the provision of
professional engineering
analysis, inspection
and survey services
for all types of dry cargo,
tank, refrigerated and
special containers.

ABS professional staff certifies containers to mandatory

safety regulations and to owner-specified operational
requirements. Qualified container inspectors are located
around the world through the ABS network of nearly
200 offices in 70 countries.

ABS Container Certification Process

Review the drawings and design specifications of the
containers to verify compliance to ABS Rules, to the
International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) and
to the regulations, codes and standards as specified by
the owner to the manufacturer based on the containers
intended service general or restricted.
Witness the structural testing of the prototype container,
which is representative of the production series. Each
test represents a method of actual operational handling
or storage, such as stowing below deck, top lifting by
spreader or bottom lifting by slings, racking on deck and
longitudinal restraint on chassis in railcars. An industryestablished safety factor is built into each test.
Survey the production of containers to verify structural
integrity and monitor the manufacturers quality control
procedures. The production inspection focuses on the
use of issued and approved materials and on the assembly
process, usually by welding.
Issue an ABS certificate attesting to the containers
compliance with the specified codes, regulations or
standards. Containers for certain services, such as
refrigerated containers transporting perishable cargo
or tank containers transporting hazardous materials,
receive additional certificates or approvals.

Certification Services

Codes & Standards

New construction certification

Design review
Prototype testing including structural testing
Production inspection
Verification of regulatory compliance
Periodic statutory inspections
On/off-hire and condition surveys
Technical guidance
Web-based database of inspection records
Worldwide network of experienced surveyors

Certification services conducted by ABS cover

internationally-recognized agreements, standards and
codes related to intermodal and marine containers and
their transportation including:

Special Certification Services

Carbon steel corner castings

Container refrigeration machinery
Container chassis
Container repair facilities

AAR

Association of American Railroads

ABS

ABS Rules for Certification of

Cargo Containers

ADR

European Agreement Concerning the

International Carriage of Dangerous
Goods by Road

ATO

Agrotechnological Research Institute

ATP

Agreement on the International Carriage

of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the
Equipment to be Used for such Carriage

CSC

International Convention for

Safe Containers

IMDG

International Maritime Dangerous

Goods Code

ISO

International Organization for

Standardization

RID

International Regulations Concerning

the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail

TCT

Australian Department of Health

Wood Treatment Regulations

TIR

Customs Convention on the International

Transport of Goods Under Cover of
TIR Carnets

TPED

Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive

UIC

International Union of Railroads

USDA

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

of the US Department of Agriculture

USDOT

US Department of Transportation

Container Certification Benefits

One-stop certification to the applicable
regulations, codes or standards necessary
for the worldwide operation of containers
Verification of the containers structural
integrity in compliance to applicable Rules
and regulations
Indication of due diligence and recognized
by underwriters and financial institutions,
as required, in lease or financial transactions

For a fee quote or to find the ABS office

nearest you, send an email to cis@eagle.org.

ABS provides certification to the

major container regulations, codes
and standards.

ABS WORLD HEADQUARTERS

ABS Plaza 16855 Northchase Drive Houston, TX 77060 USA
Tel: 1-281-877-5800 Fax: 1-281-877-5803
Email: ABS-WorldHQ@eagle.org

ABS AMERICAS DIVISION

ABS Plaza 16855 Northchase Drive Houston, TX 77060 USA
Tel: 1-281-877-6000 Fax: 1-281-877-6001
Email: ABS-Amer@eagle.org

ABS EUROPE DIVISION

ABS House No. 1 Frying Pan Alley London E1 7HR, UK
Tel: 44-20-7247-3255 Fax: 44-20-7377-2453
Email: ABS-Eur@eagle.org

ABS GREATER CHINA DIVISION

5th Floor, Silver Tower No. 85 Taoyuan Road
Luwan District Shanghai, 200021 P. R. China
Tel: 86-21-2327-0888 Fax: 86-21-6360-5391
Email: ABSGreaterChina@eagle.org

ABS PACIFIC DIVISION

438 Alexandra Road #10-00 Alexandra Point
Singapore 119958 Republic of Singapore
Tel: 65-6276-8700 Fax: 65-6276-8711
Email: ABS-Pac@eagle.org

ABS NAUTICAL SYSTEMS DIVISION

ABS Plaza 16855 Northchase Drive Houston, TX 77060 USA
Tel: 1-281-877-5700 Fax: 1-281-877-5701
Email: ns-info@abs-ns.com Website: www.abs-ns.com

www.eagle.org

TX 05/11 3000 11091