ABS Steels. ABS Steels are types of structural steel which are standardized by the American Bureau of Shipping for use in shipbuilding. ABS steels come many grades in ordinary-strength and two levels of higher-strength specifications. All of these steels have been engineered to be optimal long-lived shipbuilding steels. ABS does permit the use of other steels in shipbuilding, but discourages it, and requires more detailed engineering analysis.