ABS Single Point Mooring (SPM) Rules – July 2026
ABS Rules for Building and Classing Single Point Moorings – July 2026 Edition.
Issuing Authority: American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
The July 2026 edition of the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Single Point Moorings establishes classification requirements covering the design, construction, equipment, testing and surveys of Single Point Mooring (SPM) systems within the scope of the Rules.
The publication is organized into five Parts addressing Conditions of Classification, Materials and Welding, Mooring System Design, Equipment and Systems, and Testing and Surveys.
The July 2026 edition identifies specific provisions concerning annual survey requirements, with particular attention to maintenance and replacement records and the equipment and systems included in the survey review.
Overview and Classification Applicability
The ABS SPM Rules provide a classification framework for the engineering, construction and survey of Single Point Mooring installations. Their application must be considered in relation to the actual SPM configuration, operating concept and approved classification scope.
The five Parts of the July 2026 publication address:
Part 1 – Conditions of Classification
Classification requirements, general conditions, applicable survey arrangements and the basis upon which the SPM installation is classed.
Part 2 – Materials and Welding
Requirements concerning materials, fabrication, welding, examination and associated quality controls.
Part 3 – Mooring System Design
Engineering requirements relating to the design and structural integrity of the mooring system and its associated components.
Part 4 – Equipment and Systems
Requirements addressing equipment, mechanical systems, cargo transfer arrangements and associated safety provisions.
Part 5 – Testing and Surveys
Construction testing, commissioning-related examination and surveys after construction.
Classification Applicability – Temporary and Permanent Mooring
The ABS SPM Rules are mainly applicable to SPM systems designed for temporarily moored vessels. For vessels permanently moored to an SPM, the Rules refer to Part 3B and Part 3C of the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Offshore Units.
The applicable classification basis must be established for the particular installation, considering its configuration, operating concept and approved project documentation.
Key Technical Areas Covered
The July 2026 publication addresses the principal engineering, equipment and classification considerations associated with SPM installations.
SPM Design and Structural Integrity
Site and environmental conditions, design loads, structural design, stability, watertight integrity and associated engineering considerations.
Anchoring and Mooring Systems
Anchor capacity, anchor legs, chains, synthetic mooring lines, wire ropes, vessel-to-SPM connections and associated structural components.
Equipment and Cargo Transfer Systems
Hoses, flexible risers, swivels, product valves, piping, Marine Breakaway Couplings, electrical installations and safety systems.
Construction and Testing
Materials, welding, nondestructive examination, structural testing, pressure testing, mooring equipment tests and commissioning-related examination.
Surveys After Construction
Annual classification surveys, drydocking surveys or equivalent examinations, UWILD and Special Periodical Surveys.
PLEM and Underwater Components
Underwater structural examinations, PLEM where included in classification scope, underbuoy hoses and risers, corrosion protection and thickness measurements.
Annual Survey Requirements – July 2026
An important aspect of the July 2026 edition concerns the review and verification of maintenance and replacement records during annual surveys, with reference to the approved Information Booklet and Maintenance Manual.
The listed equipment and systems include:
Rotating Equipment
Swivels and main bearings, including relevant maintenance and replacement records.
Mooring Connections
Mooring system maintenance records, including connection points to the SPM hull.
Corrosion Protection
Maintenance and replacement records for corrosion protection systems.
Hawsers and Flexible Equipment
Hawsers, hoses, flexible piping, pressure testing and applicable product or cargo riser checks.
Marine Breakaway Couplings
MBC maintenance and replacement records within the applicable SPM arrangement.
Safety Devices and PLEM
Safety device testing where provided, and PLEM testing when the PLEM forms part of the classification scope.
Technical Attention – Maintenance Documentation
The approved Information Booklet, Maintenance Manual, maintenance history, replacement records and applicable testing documentation should be readily available for review by the attending Surveyor.
Owners and operators should ensure that the maintenance and replacement history of relevant equipment can be traced and verified against the approved documentation and applicable classification requirements.
Independent Engineering and Survey Considerations
For owners, operators and offshore project teams, the application of the ABS SPM Rules requires consideration of the complete installation, its approved classification basis, engineering documentation, equipment interfaces and maintenance arrangements.
Independent technical assessment can assist in reviewing the SPM design basis, mooring arrangement, structural connections, cargo transfer equipment, inspection requirements and supporting technical documentation.
SPM Design Basis Review
Review of design assumptions, environmental criteria, design loads and supporting engineering documentation against the agreed project scope.
Mooring System and Structural Assessment
Technical assessment of mooring arrangements, structural connections and associated components, based on available design and inspection records.
Equipment and Interface Review
Review of relevant mechanical equipment, cargo transfer arrangements, flexible connections and associated interfaces.
Inspection and Maintenance Documentation
Review of inspection records, maintenance history, testing documentation and supporting technical information.
Technical Compliance Assessment
Identification of technical issues and documentation gaps within the agreed independent consultancy scope.
Independence of Technical Consultancy
Independent consultancy does not replace classification approval, certification or survey functions reserved to ABS or another authorized organization.
The scope of any technical review should be established against the particular SPM configuration, project stage, applicable classification requirements and available documentation.
Official Reference and Technical Review
The primary reference for this update is the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Single Point Moorings, July 2026 edition.
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
Publication: Rules for Building and Classing Single Point Moorings.
Edition: July 2026.
PAMS Full Technical Review
PAMS has prepared a separate technical review providing a more detailed examination of the five Parts of the Rules, annual survey provisions, equipment requirements, construction testing and surveys after construction.
Related PAMS Technical Services
PAMS Pacific Admiralty Maritime Services provides independent marine surveying, offshore technical engineering and maritime regulatory compliance consultancy, including FPSO and SPM technical engineering.
Further information on SPM engineering and technical consultancy is available through the following service pages:
SPM Design Basis
Technical information concerning the engineering basis and design considerations for Single Point Mooring systems.
Single Point Mooring Technical Consultancy
Information on independent SPM technical consultancy and associated engineering services.
Technical Conclusion
The July 2026 ABS Single Point Mooring Rules provide the classification framework for the design, construction, equipment, testing and survey of SPM installations within their applicable scope.
Particular attention should be given to the applicable classification basis, the integrity of the mooring and structural systems, the condition of cargo transfer equipment and the maintenance documentation required for surveys after construction.
For existing installations, owners and operators should review the approved Information Booklet, Maintenance Manual, maintenance history and equipment replacement records to establish whether the required supporting documentation is available.
Early technical review can assist in identifying documentation gaps, inspection priorities and engineering issues requiring further assessment against the applicable ABS requirements.
Technical Reference Notice
This announcement provides a general overview of selected provisions of the ABS July 2026 Rules. It is not a substitute for the complete ABS publication, applicable amendments, project-specific design documentation or classification requirements.
Applicability depends on the SPM configuration, classification scope, operating concept and approved project documentation. The complete ABS Rules and relevant referenced publications should be consulted when determining the requirements for a particular installation.