icon-casualty

+44 (0)20 7264 3250

Casualty Response

Get emergency support now

Vessel and Marine Assurance Services

Home » Loss Prevention » Marine Surveys, Inspections and Audits » Vessel & Marine Assurance Services | ABL Group

Ensuring Safe, Compliant, and Efficient Marine Operations

ABL offers a comprehensive range of vessel assurance services designed to verify that marine assets meet the specific requirements of their contracts and operational environments. Our bespoke assurance process evaluates whether a vessel and its equipment are fit for purpose, taking into account the nature of the work, associated risks, and technical specifications.

Our full suite of marine assurance services ensures vessels meet the highest safety, regulatory, and performance standards worldwide.

Each assurance program is tailored to the vessel’s role and operational context, drawing on a wide range of disciplines. These may include assessments of marine systems, dynamic positioning, lifting equipment, and more.

With a team of certified OVID and CMID inspectors, ABL brings deep expertise across offshore renewables, oil & gas, and maritime sectors. Our global experience enables us to deliver detailed, risk-based assessments that support safe and efficient offshore operations.

David Duffy

David Duffy

Country Manager United Arab Emirates / Group Managing Director Marine Assurance & Risk

Market challenges

Increasing complexity of marine & offshore systems and associated risks

Keeping pace with rapidly evolving technologies in the marine and offshore sectors

Navigating varying international, regional, and local regulations can complicate compliance

Aging fleet infrastructure and asset integrity concerns

Pressure to reduce operational costs without compromising safety

How We Deliver Vessel and Marine Assurance Services

Fit-for-Purpose Vessel

At ABL, our core objective is to verify that each vessel is fully fit for purpose – technically, operationally, and commercially. This includes ensuring compliance with:

  • Charterer-specific standards and expectations
  • Flag state and classification society requirements
  • Operational area regulations

These core principles form the basis of our vessel assurance services offering, ensuring each vessel can perform safely and efficiently within its intended operational environment

Multi-Disciplinary Technical Coverage

Our assurance process spans a wide range of technical disciplines, including:

  • Marine systems and propulsion
  • Dynamic positioning (DP) systems
  • Pipe-lay and subsea operations
  • Lifting appliances and cranes
  • Diving and ROV systems
  • Helideck safety and compliance

This breadth ensures a comprehensive evaluation of vessel capabilities and safety.

Structured and Transparent Inspection Process

To ensure consistency and thoroughness:

  • We use custom in-house checklists tailored to each vessel type and operation.
  • Our inspectors follow a systematic approach to assess all critical systems.
  • We provide clear, concise summaries supported by detailed technical reports.
  • All findings are tracked and closed out in collaboration with clients and stakeholders.

Global reach, cost-effective delivery

With access to ABL’s global network of offices and certified marine professionals, we offer:

Rapid mobilisation and local expertise

Consistent service quality worldwide

Cost-effective solutions without compromising on technical depth

ABL’s Services That Support Marine Assurance

Dynamic Positioning (DP) Trials & Critical Systems

ABL deploys experienced, multi-disciplinary teams to support dynamic positioning (DP) systems worldwide. Our services span:

  • Technical evaluation
  • Assurance verification
  • Project management

We assist clients in validating DP systems across a range of offshore units, including:

  • Drilling rigs
  • Construction and project vessels
  • Diving support vessels (DSVs)
  • Accommodation units
  • Shuttle tankers and offshore support vessels (OSVs)

Our goal is to ensure each DP system is aligned with the unit’s specific operational mission as part of our wider marine assurance services.

Marine Warranty Survey (MWS)

With over 40 years of experience, ABL provides independent third-party technical review and approval for:

  • Marine construction
  • Heavy-lift and transportation
  • Offshore operations and maintenance
  • Decommissioning projects

We act on behalf of underwriters, assured parties, contractors, and self-insured clients to reduce risk from planning through execution.

Marine Surveys, Inspections & Audits

ABL conducts detailed marine inspections using custom-developed checklists to ensure thorough assessment of all critical systems. Our approach includes:

  • Clear, concise reporting
  • Detailed technical and analytical documentation
  • Collaborative follow-up and closure of all findings

Vessel Condition Surveys

Our certified surveyors assess the current condition of a vessel’s hull, machinery, and onboard systems. These surveys evaluate:

  • Operational readiness
  • Equipment functionality
  • Certification status
  • Maintenance and management systems

This service supports asset integrity, compliance, and operational planning, making it a key component of both vessel assurance services and marine assurance services.

The value we bring

150+ years of marine legacy dating back to the Salvage Association

50% of staff from a sea-faring background

1800+ marine warranty survey projects

1500+ marine & engineering consultants

Global Partner. Local Expert.

ABL is a leading global independent energy and marine consultancy working in energy and oceans to de-risk and drive the energy transition across the renewables, maritime and oil and gas sectors. We offer our clients the deepest pool of world-class expertise across marine and engineering disciplines from more than 300 locations worldwide.

ABL has offices in all major marine and energy hubs worldwide. We have offices in 43 countries across Europe, Africa, the Americas, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Our extensive global footprint allows us to provide more local expertise and a swifter response to wherever our customers’ projects or assets are.

Meet Steve Mason, Regional Dynamic Positioning and Marine Assurance Manager, ABL Americas

Meet Steve Mason, Regional Dynamic Positioning and Marine Assurance Manager, ABL Americas

Sep 24, 20253 min read

Meet Steve Mason, Regional Dynamic Positioning and Marine Assurance Manager,…

Global Leadership in Rig Inspection and DP Services

Global Leadership in Rig Inspection and DP Services

Sep 10, 20253 min read

ABL Energy Services announces Global Leadership Changes for Rig Inspections,…

ABL Malaysia Names Haq Bakhtiar as Country Manager

ABL Malaysia Names Haq Bakhtiar as Country Manager

Sep 1, 20253 min read

ABL Malaysia names Haq Bakhtiar as Country Manager to lead…

ABL Appoints Carmela Friedman as Director of Renewables for England

ABL Appoints Carmela Friedman as Director of Renewables for England

Aug 26, 20253 min read

Naval Architect and experienced marine warranty surveyor (MWS), Carmela Friedman,…

Meet the Intern: Steven Katz, ABL Americas

Meet the Intern: Steven Katz, ABL Americas

Aug 19, 20254 min read

Meet the Intern: Steven Katz, ABL Americas

Strengthening Maritime Futures: Reflections on the IMO’s New Pacific Office

Strengthening Maritime Futures: Reflections on the IMO’s New Pacific Office

Aug 18, 20254 min read

ABL New Zealand’s Maritime Security Consultant, Natasha Hallett, discusses the…

General enquiries