LIFE MATTERS
An organisation with a clear purpose
Our mission is ‘to secure for the benefit of the community high technical standards of design, manufacture, construction, maintenance, operation and performance for the purpose of enhancing the safety of life and property at sea, on land and in the air’.
We work around the world to assess and certify systems, assets and facilities, to help improve quality and increase safety. Our expertise covers: shipping; other areas of transportation, particularly rail; oil and gas; general industry and manufacturing; and management systems.
Through our 240 offices worldwide, we employ 6,000 people who share our clear purpose. Because life matters, safety is not negotiable.
Our marine business principally involves the classification of ships – we set standards of quality and reliability during their design, construction and operation. As well as carrying out statutory inspections for national administrations, we help ship owners and operators to understand the risks they face and to improve their business performances.
Beyond shipping, we provide independent risk-management solutions that optimise asset performance in sectors such as oil and gas, rail, utilities, general engineering and manufacturing.
We believe people -- ours and yours -- are the key to maintaining quality and a safe work environment. This is why each year we generously fund the academic and technical institutions that train the people who work in our industries.
We do what we do because life matters.