Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# Statement of Compliance for Ships in Temporary Lay-up

A ship in temporary lay-up is not exempt from class and statutory obligations: the survey regime is reduced but not eliminated, and reactivation requires a dedicated survey before returning to service.

lay-up Statement of Compliance reactivation

## Operational Explanation

When a ship is placed in temporary lay-up for commercial reasons, the Classification Society may issue a Statement of Compliance (or Confirmation of Class for lay-up) attesting to a reduced survey regime specific to the conditions of a non-operational ship: lower frequency of inspections on some systems, but continued essential checks on hull integrity, fire-fighting and bilge systems, and mooring.

Returning to service always requires a reactivation survey, which verifies that all systems are fully operational and compliant before the ship can resume commercial navigation.

## Regulatory Reference

There is no single dedicated IMO instrument for lay-up; practice is based on the class rules of individual Classification Societies ("Lay-up" or "Cold/Warm Lay-up" procedures), supplemented by Flag Administration requirements for maintaining statutory certificates during the period of inactivity.

## Scope of Application

Ships placed in temporary lay-up for commercial reasons (oversupply, awaiting new employment, financial restructuring), with responsibility shared between the owner, the Classification Society and the Flag Administration.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Formally notify the Classification Society and the Flag Administration of the intention to place the ship in temporary lay-up, before the period of inactivity begins.
2. Agree with the Classification Society the applicable lay-up level (cold lay-up with minimal crew, or warm lay-up with greater operability maintained) and the corresponding survey regime.
3. Maintain the essential checks required during lay-up: hull integrity, fire-fighting systems, bilge systems, mooring, even without full operability.
4. Plan the reactivation survey well ahead of the expected return-to-service date, covering all systems suspended during lay-up.
5. Verify with the Flag Administration the status of statutory certificates during and after the lay-up period, since some may require renewal or a specific endorsement on return to service.

## Practical Example

Example: a ship placed in cold lay-up for 8 months receives from the Classification Society a Statement of Compliance suspending routine surveys on some machinery systems not in use, while maintaining periodic inspections on hull integrity and fire-fighting systems; the return to service is preceded by a full reactivation survey 3 weeks before the resumption of navigation.

## Real Cases

Periods of oversupply in specific market segments have historically led to a significant increase in the number of ships in temporary lay-up; inadequate management of the reduced survey regime during these periods (in particular failure to maintain essential systems) has in some cases resulted in longer and more costly reactivation surveys than expected, delaying the return to commercial service.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Notification of lay-up to the Classification Society and Flag Administration made late or informally | Reduced survey regime not formally recognized, with full survey obligations still applicable | Formally and promptly notify both competent Authorities of the start of lay-up
Essential checks (hull, fire-fighting, bilge, mooring) neglected during lay-up on the assumption the ship is 'non-operational' and therefore low risk | Undetected deterioration that lengthens and complicates the reactivation survey | Always maintain the essential checks required by the agreed lay-up regime, regardless of commercial non-operability
Reactivation survey planned too close to the expected return-to-service date | Delays in returning to commercial service if the survey finds non-conformities to correct | Plan the reactivation survey with adequate lead time before the resumption of navigation

## PSC Observations

A ship coming out of a lay-up period is typically subject to greater PSC attention at the first inspection following its return to service, particularly regarding the full functionality of safety systems suspended during the period of inactivity.

## Operational Tips

- Always formally notify the Classification Society and Flag Administration of lay-up before the period of inactivity begins, not after the fact.
- Do not neglect the essential checks required by the agreed lay-up regime, even without commercial operability.
- Plan the reactivation survey well ahead of the expected return-to-service date, to absorb any non-conformities that need correcting.

## Checklist

- Formal lay-up notification submitted to the Classification Society and Flag Administration
- Lay-up level (cold/warm) agreed with the corresponding survey regime
- Essential checks (hull, fire-fighting, bilge, mooring) maintained during the period of inactivity
- Reactivation survey planned with adequate lead time before return to service
- Status of statutory certificates verified for the lay-up period and for return to service

## FAQ

What is a Statement of Compliance for lay-up?
A document issued by the Classification Society attesting to the ship's transition to a reduced survey regime specific to the period of temporary lay-up, while maintaining essential checks on certain critical systems.
Is a ship in lay-up completely exempt from surveys?
No: the survey regime is reduced but not eliminated. Essential checks on hull integrity, fire-fighting and bilge systems, and mooring typically remain required even during lay-up.
What is needed to return a laid-up ship to commercial service?
A dedicated reactivation survey, verifying the full functionality of all systems suspended during the period of inactivity, to be planned with adequate lead time before the return-to-service date.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Annual Survey Condition of Class and Recommendations

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