Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# ISPS Certification (International Ship Security Certificate)

The certificate itself, as distinct from the plan behind it: the SOLAS Operations module covers the Ship Security Plan, this one covers the verification and issuance cycle of the certificate that attests to it.

ISSC ISPS Code RSO security certification

## Operational Explanation

The International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) is the statutory certificate, made mandatory by SOLAS Chapter XI-2, attesting to verification of the ship's security system and any associated security equipment under the ISPS Code. Without a valid ISSC, a ship subject to the Code cannot operate.

The verification cycle provides for a full initial verification before the ship enters service or before the certificate is first issued, and a renewal verification at intervals not exceeding 5 years. A Recognized Security Organization (RSO), acting on behalf of the Flag Administration, approves the Ship Security Plan and conducts the verification audits leading to the issuance of the ISSC. The certificate is subject to an intermediate audit between the second and third anniversary of issue.

Under the revised PSC procedures (in force since 2025), an invalid or expired ISSC is in itself clear grounds for detention, and PSCOs now work alongside Duly Authorized Officers for more in-depth security assessments.

## Regulatory Reference

SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and ISPS Code Part A: requires a valid ISSC to operate; initial and renewal verification (maximum interval 5 years) by the Administration or an RSO; intermediate audit between the 2nd and 3rd anniversary.

## Scope of Application

Every ship subject to the ISPS Code under SOLAS Chapter XI-2 (passenger ships, cargo ships ≥500 GT, mobile offshore drilling units).

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Verify the validity of the ISSC before every port call, checking the issue date, expiry, and the status of the intermediate audit between the 2nd and 3rd anniversary.
2. Coordinate with the designated RSO the schedule of renewal verifications, starting the process with sufficient lead time before the 5-year deadline.
3. Keep the approved Ship Security Plan consistent with the ship's actual operational configuration, reporting any relevant change to the RSO.
4. Verify that the intermediate audit is completed within the expected window (between the second and third anniversary), not beyond it.
5. Prepare the ISSC documentation for prompt PSC verification, bearing in mind that an expired certificate is now direct grounds for detention.

## Practical Example

Management example: a ship approaching the third anniversary of its ISSC coordinates the intermediate audit with the RSO two months in advance, avoiding a rush close to the window's deadline and ensuring continuity of the certificate's validity.

## Real Cases

The tightening of PSC procedures since 2025, with the introduction of a dedicated appendix for security inspections and cooperation with Duly Authorized Officers, has made the absence of a valid ISSC a cause of immediate detention, elevating security from a mostly documentary area to a full inspection priority.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
ISSC intermediate audit scheduled close to the deadline of the window between the 2nd and 3rd anniversary | Risk of exceeding the expected window due to unforeseen organizational causes | Schedule the intermediate audit well ahead of the window's deadline
Relevant operational changes not reported to the RSO between audits | Ship Security Plan no longer consistent with the ship's actual configuration | Promptly report any relevant operational change affecting security to the RSO
ISSC treated as secondary documentation compared to 'technical' SOLAS certificates | Risk of immediate detention under the 2025 PSC procedures | Treat the ISSC with the same priority as technical statutory certificates, always verifying its validity before every port call

## PSC Observations

Under the revised PSC procedures in force since 2025, an invalid or expired ISSC is in itself clear grounds for detention; PSCOs may now be assisted by Duly Authorized Officers for more in-depth security assessments.

## Operational Tips

- Schedule the ISSC intermediate audit well ahead of the deadline of the window between the 2nd and 3rd anniversary.
- Promptly report to the RSO any relevant operational change that could affect the Ship Security Plan.
- Always verify ISSC validity before every port call: since 2025 an expired certificate is direct grounds for detention.

## Checklist

- ISSC validity verified before every port call
- Intermediate audit scheduled well ahead within the window between the 2nd and 3rd anniversary
- Ship Security Plan consistent with the actual operational configuration reported to the RSO
- Renewal verification started with sufficient lead time before the 5-year deadline
- ISSC documentation ready for prompt PSC verification

## FAQ

What is the difference between this topic and the one on the Ship Security Plan in the SOLAS Operations module?
This topic focuses on the verification and issuance cycle of the ISSC certificate itself (initial verification, renewal, intermediate audit, the RSO's role); the SOLAS Operations topic covers the content of the Ship Security Plan and the role of the Ship Security Officer.
Who conducts the verifications leading to the ISSC being issued?
The Flag Administration directly, or a Recognized Security Organization (RSO) acting on its behalf, which approves the Ship Security Plan and conducts the verification audits.
What happens if the ISSC is found expired during a PSC inspection?
Under the revised PSC procedures in force since 2025, an expired or invalid ISSC is in itself clear grounds for the ship's detention.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Ship Security Plan and the ISPS Code HSSC

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