More than a dozen vessel classification societies and surveying firms are represented in Hong Kong. They provide a highly-skilled workforce of surveyors capable of carrying out surveys of hull, machinery and equipment on visiting vessels. All ocean-going vessels require surveys at regular intervals in order to maintain their certification that they comply with all the appropriate international conventions in every aspect.

All the better known classification societies are represented in Hong Kong, such as the American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, China Classification Society (Hong Kong Branch), Det Norske Veritas, Germanischer Lloyd, Lloyd's Register of Shipping, Nippon Kaji Kyokai and Korean Register of Shipping.

In addition to the classification societies there are many other surveying firms providing independent assessments of vessels and cargo by a host of well qualified ship and cargo surveyors for chartered, cargo owners or shippers.