Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# Shipboard Lifting Appliances: The New SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13 Regime

Cranes, winches and hoists used for handling bunkering hoses come under direct SOLAS control for the first time: from 2026 a valid test certificate is needed, not just internal maintenance practice.

SOLAS II-1/3-13 lifting appliances shipboard cranes winch

## Operational Explanation

Until now, shipboard lifting appliances not dedicated to commercial cargo operations (maintenance cranes, winches, hoists for handling bunkering hoses or spare materials) were governed mainly by class standards and Company internal practice, without a direct, uniform SOLAS reference. The new Regulation II-1/3-13, in force from 1 January 2026, brings these appliances under direct SOLAS control.

From this date, cranes, winches and hose-handling appliances on board must have a valid test certificate and documentation attesting the Safe Working Load (SWL), now made mandatory as a statutory requirement and no longer just good class practice. Existing ships must comply by the first Renewal Survey after 1 January 2026.

## Regulatory Reference

SOLAS Chapter II-1, Regulation 3-13 (new), in force from 1 January 2026: brings under direct SOLAS control all shipboard lifting appliances not dedicated to commercial cargo (maintenance cranes, winches, hoists for bunkering hoses), with a mandatory valid test certificate and SWL documentation. Existing ships: compliance required by the first Renewal Survey after 1 January 2026.

## Scope of Application

Every ship subject to SOLAS fitted with lifting appliances not dedicated to commercial cargo: maintenance cranes, onboard winches, hoists for handling bunkering hoses and spare materials.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Survey all lifting appliances on board not dedicated to commercial cargo subject to the new Regulation II-1/3-13 (maintenance cranes, winches, hose hoists).
2. Verify that each appliance has a valid test certificate, renewing it if expired or absent.
3. Verify that the Safe Working Load (SWL) documentation is available and consistent with the appliance actually installed on board.
4. For existing ships, plan compliance by the first Renewal Survey after 1 January 2026, coordinating with the shipyard/class if a certification intervention is needed.
5. Integrate periodic verification of these appliances into the Planned Maintenance System, distinguishing it from the verification of lifting appliances dedicated to commercial cargo already separately regulated.

## Practical Example

Example: in preparing for the first Renewal Survey after January 2026, the engineer officer surveys all winches and hoists used for handling bunkering hoses, finds that two of them have never had a formal test certificate, and arranges with the classification society the inspection and certification needed before the survey deadline.

## Real Cases

Companies that regard non-commercial lifting appliances (maintenance cranes, winches) as minor equipment, managed only through internal maintenance without formal certification, risk being unprepared at the first Renewal Survey after 2026, when the absence of a valid test certificate for these appliances now constitutes a statutory non-conformity in every respect, no longer just a good-practice gap.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Non-commercial lifting appliances (maintenance cranes, winches, hose hoists) not surveyed as subject to the new Regulation II-1/3-13 | Non-conformity discovered only at the time of the Renewal Survey, with possible delays | Survey in good time all appliances subject to the new regime, well before the survey deadline
Test certificate considered necessary only for lifting appliances dedicated to commercial cargo | Maintenance/bunkering appliances found without a valid certificate during the inspection | Extend the certification check to all shipboard lifting appliances, including non-commercial ones
SWL documentation not updated after replacement or modification of a lifting appliance | Discrepancy between the installed appliance and the SWL documentation available on board | Always update the SWL documentation immediately after any replacement or modification of the appliance

## PSC Observations

For ships subject to the new Regulation II-1/3-13, PSCOs may verify the presence of a valid test certificate and SWL documentation for non-commercial shipboard lifting appliances, particularly at the first Renewal Survey after 2026.

## Operational Tips

- Don't treat non-commercial lifting appliances as minor equipment: from 2026 they are subject to statutory certification in every respect.
- Survey in good time all appliances subject to the new Regulation II-1/3-13, well before the first Renewal Survey after January 2026.
- Coordinate with the classification society on the certification of any appliances without a valid test certificate, with adequate lead time before the survey deadline.

## Checklist

- All non-commercial lifting appliances surveyed on board
- Valid test certificate verified for every appliance subject to Regulation II-1/3-13
- SWL documentation available and consistent with the installed appliance
- Compliance planned by the first Renewal Survey after 1 January 2026
- Periodic verification of these appliances integrated into the Planned Maintenance System

## FAQ

Which appliances fall under the new SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13?
Maintenance cranes, onboard winches and hoists for handling bunkering hoses and spare materials: lifting appliances not dedicated to commercial cargo, previously not directly regulated by SOLAS.
Since when is it in force and what obligations does it introduce?
From 1 January 2026, with a mandatory valid test certificate and Safe Working Load (SWL) documentation for each appliance subject to it.
By when must existing ships comply?
By the first Renewal Survey after 1 January 2026.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Damage Control and Blackout Management (IT)Watertight Doors and Compartment Integrity

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