ABS fleet closed the year at 105 million gross tons, an increase of 4.7 million gross tons over the previous year. It is the largest fleet ABS has had in class since 1983. According to year-end statistics from IACS, the ABS share of the total IACS classed fleet stood at 19 percent, the equal second largest fleet share. The ABS newbuilding orderbook stood at 15.6 million gross tons, up from 12.6 million tons at the end of 1999 and the highest level in 23 years.

A success in attracting new tanker tonnage to ABS class, has been attributed to the ABS SafeHull system. "The risks associated with operating tankers today are too great for the responsible operator to take any shortcuts that may compromise the robustness of his ship," the ABS official said. At the end of 2000, 34 percent of all tankers under construction or on order worldwide were to ABS class, including 32 percent of all VLCCs and 67 percent of all Suezmaxes on order.

A continued strong performance in the bulk carrier, post-panamax containership and passenger/cargo ferry sectors has also been evident. ABS maintained its leading position as the preferred provider of classification services to the offshore sector in 2000 with a 75 percent share of the worldwide offshore exploration fleet and a 47 percent share of the total worldwide production fleet. Notable contracts for Truss Spars, Tension Leg Platforms, semi-submersibles and FPSO conversions were received by ABS in 2000.