Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# The IP Code: the Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate

Not a passenger ship certificate, but not a simple cargo ship either: ships carrying more than 12 industrial personnel, typical of offshore wind support, now have their own certificate and survey cycle.

IP Code Industrial Personnel SOLAS Chapter XV offshore wind

## Operational Explanation

The International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code) is made mandatory by a new SOLAS Chapter XV, in force from 1 July 2024. It applies to cargo ships and cargo high-speed craft of 500 gross tonnage and upwards carrying more than 12 industrial personnel, typically engaged in construction, maintenance, decommissioning, operation or support activities for offshore installations such as wind farms.

The Code fills a specific regulatory gap: these ships do not carry enough people to be classified as passenger ships, but the number of personnel on board (over 12, often many more) exceeds what is provided for under standard crew-only requirements. Every ship subject to the IP Code must carry an Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate. Authorizations to carry more than 12 industrial personnel issued by the Administration before 1 July 2024 have a limited period of validity: for cargo ships, they cease to apply from the first Intermediate or Renewal Survey following that date, whichever occurs first.

## Regulatory Reference

SOLAS Chapter XV and the IP Code (International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel), adopted by Res. MSC.527(106), in force from 1 July 2024: mandatory for cargo ships/cargo high-speed craft ≥500 GT with more than 12 industrial personnel on board. Pre-existing authorizations issued before 1 July 2024 cease to apply at the first Intermediate or Renewal Survey following that date.

## Scope of Application

Cargo ships and cargo high-speed craft of 500 gross tonnage and upwards carrying more than 12 industrial personnel, typically for construction, maintenance, decommissioning, operation or support activities for offshore installations (wind farms and other energy infrastructure).

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Verify whether the ship falls within the scope of the IP Code based on the number of industrial personnel carried and gross tonnage.
2. For authorizations issued before 1 July 2024, plan their cessation at the first Intermediate or Renewal Survey following that date.
3. Obtain and maintain on board the Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate per the IP Code requirements.
4. Coordinate the IP certificate's survey cycle with the ship's overall HSSC calendar, avoiding uncoordinated planning.
5. Train the crew on the specifics of the IP Code, distinct from both passenger ship requirements and standard crew-only requirements.

## Practical Example

Example: an offshore wind farm support ship, authorized before 2024 to carry more than 12 technicians, plans the transition to the Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate to coincide with the first Intermediate Survey following 1 July 2024, avoiding an interruption of its authorization to operate with the required number of industrial personnel.

## Real Cases

The growth of the offshore wind sector has made it increasingly common to employ ships carrying a large number of specialized technicians for construction and maintenance activities, an operational profile that traditional regulatory categories (standard cargo ship or passenger ship) did not adequately cover: the IP Code addresses this gap with a dedicated safety framework, proportionate to the specific risk of carrying a significant number of people who are not part of the ship's operating crew.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Pre-existing authorization from before 1 July 2024 considered indefinitely valid, without planning the transition to the IP Code | Authorization ceasing at the next survey without an Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate ready | Plan the transition in good time to coincide with the first useful Intermediate or Renewal Survey after 1 July 2024
IP Code applicability checked only against gross tonnage, without considering the actual number of industrial personnel carried | Incorrect regulatory classification of the ship | Always check both criteria: gross tonnage ≥500 GT and number of industrial personnel exceeding 12

## PSC Observations

PSCOs verify the presence on board of the Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate for ships subject to the IP Code, and consistency between the number of industrial personnel actually on board and what is authorized by the certificate.

## Operational Tips

- If you operate ships supporting offshore installations with more than 12 industrial personnel on board, check the status of your pre-existing authorization now and plan the transition to the IP Code.
- Coordinate the survey cycle of the Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate with the ship's overall HSSC calendar.
- Do not confuse IP Code requirements with those for passenger ships: they are distinct regulatory frameworks, designed for different risk profiles.

## Checklist

- IP Code applicability verified according to gross tonnage and number of industrial personnel
- Transition from the pre-existing authorization planned to coincide with the first useful Intermediate/Renewal Survey after 1 July 2024
- Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate obtained and maintained on board
- IP certificate survey cycle coordinated with the overall HSSC calendar
- Crew trained on the specifics of the IP Code

## FAQ

Which ships does the IP Code apply to?
Cargo ships and cargo high-speed craft of 500 gross tonnage and upwards carrying more than 12 industrial personnel, typically engaged in activities related to offshore installations such as wind farms.
What happens to authorizations issued before 1 July 2024?
For cargo ships, they cease to apply from the first Intermediate or Renewal Survey following 1 July 2024, whichever occurs first; from that point the Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate is required under the IP Code.
Does the IP Code replace passenger ship certification?
No, it is a distinct regulatory framework, designed specifically for ships carrying a large number of industrial personnel who are not part of the ship's operating crew, without falling into the passenger ship category.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC)Methanol and Ammonia Bunkering: Infrastructure and Real Cases (IT)

### Leave feedback

Help us improve the platform during the beta -- it takes thirty seconds.

How useful do you find the platform so far?
Comment (optional)
Sign me up for the newsletter
Role