170 Years of The Salvage Association
An enduring legacy to Seek the Truth across maritime
This April, ABL proudly marks 170 years of The Salvage Association — the oldest part of the company and the foundation on which ABL’s global maritime surveying and consultancy business is built.
The milestone comes at a fitting moment, as ABL’s global maritime leadership recently gathered in London to discuss strategy, collaboration, and the continued evolution of its consultancy services to support maritime clients worldwide, against a backdrop of changing market conditions, emerging risks, and increasing complexity.
Where it all began: The Salvage Association
Founded in 1856, The Salvage Association was the world’s first non‑profit specialist marine surveying organisation, incorporated by Royal Charter.
For the London marine insurance market, it introduced independence, technical rigour, and a truth‑seeking discipline to casualty investigation and hull & machinery (H&M) damage surveying.
Its motto — Quaerite Vera (Seek the Truth) — has endured for 170 years and remains embedded in ABL’s purpose today. The Salvage Association helped shape global standards in marine surveying and casualty management, establishing practices that underpin much of the modern maritime risk and claims environment.
“The Salvage Association was the cornerstone of marine surveying and casualty investigation. Its independent and non-profit status meant our work was grounded in applying expert knowledge to seek the truth and ultimately support all stakeholders in keeping the industry moving.
“170 years later, this reputation for truth-telling continues to underpin the trust our clients place in us today. On a personal level, coming from a seafaring background, it was always an ambition to work for the SA. It is a privilege to see how, together as a team, we continue to honour that legacy while evolving it to support clients across our global maritime markets.”
Mark McGurran, Global MD Maritime
A Living Legacy
Today, ABL remains custodian of The Salvage Association’s historical records — the Red Books, housed in ABL’s London office. These meticulously document every maritime casualty the Association was instructed on, cataloguing over a century of global incidents.
Among the entries is the RMS Titanic. While The Salvage Association’s involvement was limited, it was instructed at the time by Willis – a relationship that continues today through ABL across both maritime and energy markets.
ABL’s living connection to this legacy also includes team members who began their careers with The Salvage Association, including Caren Pang, part of ABL’s maritime team in Singapore.
“When I joined The Salvage Association more than three decades ago, it was still a non-profit organisation incorporated by Royal Charter. I began my career as a PA to the Principal Surveyor, at a time when our Singapore office served as the hub for the entire Southeast Asia region.
“Across the many transformations – from The Salvage Association to BMT, then Braemar, and now ABL – one thing has remained constant: the opportunity to learn and grow. The maritime world is always changing, but dedication keeps you stead – like an anchor that holds while the tides shift.”
Caren Pang, Global Support Services (GSS) in Singapore
From Salvage to Global Consultancy
Today, The Salvage Association is incorporated within the “B” of ABL, but its mission, values, and commitment to maritime markets endure.
What began with casualty investigation has evolved into a global technical consultancy, with marine surveyors, engineers, and consultants operating in more than 44 countries across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia‑Pacific, and even the Pacific Islands. This global footprint enables rapid response, combining local market knowledge and in‑country expertise with a consistent global approach and multidisciplinary marine and engineering capability.
“It felt right to mark this anniversary with both the London market and our global maritime leadership. It reflects how we continue to evolve at ABL while staying true to our roots and core expertise.
“As part of the wider ABL Group, we are also responding to a changing risk landscape – from busier navigation and geopolitical uncertainty to climate change and the emergence of AI. Our consultancy offering continues to expand so we can respond rapidly and support clients in keeping ships moving safely and efficiently.”
Steve McCarthy, Associate Director Marine Services
The London gathering provided an opportunity to engage with colleagues and clients on the skills and services required to support the maritime industry in seeking the truth to find the best technical solutions for sustainable performance.
Alongside core offerings in H&M and P&I claims, salvage, and expert witness services, ABL also supports clients through ports and harbours consulting, technical due diligence, marine assurance and warranty services, superyacht consultancy and surveying, and clean shipping and emissions advisory.
Contact a Maritime Team near you
Whether supporting maritime decarbonisation, technical due diligence for an acquisition, owner’s engineering for a newbuild, mitigating shipyard or ports and harbours risk, or responding to a maritime casualty, discuss your maritime assets and requirements with an ABL team near you.