19/09/2024
Let's talk a little about the
certificates of the ships.
Every ships that sails must have several certificates. Without these, you cannot sail, as no port will allow a ships to enter without the required documents or without them having expired in transit. A careful owner will always ensure that certificates are renewed in good time before they expire. There are companies all over the world that carry out such inspections and perform the necessary certification of vessels. Of course, ships that are not in service and are for sale also need ongoing maintenance; a ships cannot be pushed aside in a corner of your garden and then be taken out when a potential buyer arrives. A ships needs constant maintenance and attention to ensure that all certificates are valid.
Well then, what certificates are required:
1. Certificate of Classification
2. Certificate of Registry
3. SOLAS Certificates
4. MARPOL Certificates
5. International Anti-Fouling System Certificate
6. International Load Line Certificate
7. International Tonnage Certificate
8. Certificates for Masters, Officers and Ratings
9. Maritime Labor Certificates
Classification societies inspect and survey vessels during ship construction and commissioning to verify its design and structures are in compliance. This inspection includes examining the ship engine, pumps and other onboard machinery. Classification societies also inspect and class submarines, oil platforms and other offshore structures. After construction of a ship or other marine structure concludes, the classification society will perform periodic inspections to confirm the ship is meeting maintenance and safety standards.Flag state regulations, local laws and international conventions require initial and periodic inspections for ships. The vessel must make its survey and inspection records available to charterers and insurance companies, and they may be necessary for port entry and when transiting certain canals and waterways.Although classification certificates themselves are not statutory, some classification societies have the authority to perform statutory vessel inspections and surveys for the flag state. These flag states can empower recognized classification societies to conduct regulatory inspections and certify compliance with regulatory standards. These delegated duties require the authorized classification societies to maintain high standards of inspection and compliance with flag states and international regulations. All flag states generally require merchant ship regulatory certificates and documents, as do IMO conventions and other international treaties. The IMO is a United Nations agency that sets standards for the international shipping community. The IMO has more than 171 member or flag states, and it represents governments, companies and labor interests in these states.
1. Certificate of Classification
A Certificate of Classification from a qualified classification society certifies a vessel is structurally sound, and verifies the reliability and function of the propulsion and steering systems, power generation and auxiliary systems.
The certificate states that the vessel is complying with the rules of the classification society, but the document does not act as a warranty of safety, fitness of purpose or seaworthiness of the vessel. The registration of the vessel by its flag state requires this certificate.
2. Certificate of Registry
A Certificate of Registry is a statutory certificate required by local law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Merchant ships must be registered in a flag state and carry a Certificate of Registry detailing and verifying this registration. This trading certificate contains essential information about the vessel and the owner of the vessel, including the following.
Ship owners must meet specific requirements set by the flag state to qualify for a Certificate of Registry. These requirements may vary by country, but can include holding a classification certificate, a builder’s certificate with details of the vessel and a certificate of sale to the current owner or owners. Ships can receive a Certificate of Registry from government or private agencies called registries.
3. SOLAS Certificates
One of the most impactful international treaties governing merchant ships is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The IMO first adopted the SOLAS Convention in 1914 after the sinking of the Titanic, and it has undergone several revisions since, with the most recent version adopted in 1974. The SOLAS Convention establishes safety standards for the equipment, construction and operation of merchant ships. Ships of party nations must carry various SOLAS certificates on board, including the following.
As of October 2018, the 1974 SOLAS Convention had 165 contracting states, which accounted for over 99 percent of the global gross tonnage of merchant ships. Therefore, SOLAS certificates are statutory for the vast majority of cargo ships and other seafaring vessels.
4. MARPOL Certificates
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, called the MARPOL Convention, is one of the most significant international maritime treaties addressing environmental protection. Also called MARPOL 73/78, this treaty first got introduced in 1973, and then modified in 1978. MARPOL is short for “maritime pollution,” and the convention aims to minimize pollution from dumping, oil, air pollution and other harmful substances. The MARPOL Convention requires ships of party nations to carry multiple statutory certificates, including the following.
MARPOL certificates are statutory for ships registered in one of the 158 contracting states and are mandatory for ships seeking to trade with MARPOL party nations. As of 2019, ships from MARPOL contracting states accounted for over 99 percent of world tonnage.
5. International Anti-Fouling System Certificate
Another maritime certificate aimed toward
environmental protection is the International Anti-Fouling System
Certificate. It is a mandate of the International Convention on the
Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, and got adopted in 2001. This certificate
verifies a ship’s anti-fouling system does not contain harmful organotin
compounds. It also confirms that a protective coating is in place to prevent
organotin compounds from leaching from anti-fouling paint on the ship’s hull or
another external surface.
6. International Load Line Certificate
The International Convention on Load Lines establishes regulations for determining ship load lines, accounting for seasons and zones as well as factors of the ship construction, such as the quality of watertight doors and drain plugs of watertight compartments. The convention establishes six load lines that must be marked on all vessels:
Cargo ships carrying timber must have a second set of load line markings that correspond with each season.
The load lines this convention requires represent the maximum cargo load a ship can hold while maintaining the minimum freeboard limit. Compliance with load line requirements ensures ship stability and prevents too much stress on the hull of the ship. Ships registered in flag states that have ratified this convention must carry an International Load Line Certificate, which is up for renewal annually, or an International Load Line Exemption Certificate if the vessel has received an exemption.
7. International Tonnage Certificate
Adopted in 1969 and entered into force in 1982, the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships established a universal system for tonnage measurement of ships. Ships registered in, or trading with, party nations must carry a statutory International Tonnage Certificate that lists the gross tonnage (GT) and net tonnage (NT) of the vessel.
A ship’s GT allows for the calculation of safety
rules, regulations for safe manning and registration fees. Both GT and NT play
a role in calculating dues at ports, making an International Tonnage
Certificate crucial for international trading.
8. Certificates for Masters, Officers and Ratings
The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) requires all seafarers serving on merchant vessels and yachts to maintain and carry proper certificates. All crew, including officers, masters and watch personnel, must meet qualification standards for training, certification and watchkeeping, as outlined in the STCW.
Certificates required by the STCW are statutory for ships registered to party nations of the convention and mandatory for ships visiting ports of party nations. In 2019, there were 165 parties of the STCW Convention, accounting for over 99 percent of global tonnage.
9. Maritime Labor Certificates
All commercial ships in international trade must carry a Maritime Labour Certificate issued by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the IMO. By requiring this certificate, the ILO Convention addresses a wide variety of labor and social issues, including employment policies, wages, employee contracts and industrial relations.
In 2006, the Maritime Labour Convention set standards for employment conditions and accommodations on ships, as well as minimum employment requirements, medical care and more. After passing an inspection, a ship will receive a Maritime Labour Certificate verifying its compliance with the standards of this convention. Flag states that have not yet ratified this convention may establish a voluntary compliance inspection program for their vessels until their body of law accepts and codifies it.
Author: VCL Team
19/09/2024
