Certificates
Cross-cutting catalogue of key statutory and class documents, separating capacity, cycles and issuing authority.
| Certificate | Basis | Validity/cycle | Issued by | Related surveys | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution prevention and energy | |||||
| IOPP Certificate | MARPOL I | Up to 5 years under applicable provisions | Administration or RO for statutory work | Initial, annual/intermediate and renewal | IOPP Certificate → |
| ISPP Certificate | MARPOL IV | Up to 5 years where required | Administration or RO for statutory work | Initial and renewal; additional as applicable | ISPP Certificate → |
| IAPP Certificate | MARPOL VI | Up to 5 years | Administration or RO for statutory work | Initial, annual/intermediate and renewal | IAPP Certificate → |
| International Energy Efficiency Certificate | MARPOL VI | No fixed expiry, subject to VI/9. Survey and certification under VI/5.4; major changes may require further verification. IEE and EEXI are not the annual CII rating. | Administration or duly authorized organization | Relevant VI/5.4 surveys, including 5.4.7–5.4.8 for EEXI | International Energy Efficiency Certificate → |
| Safety, security and labour | |||||
| Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate | SOLAS I | Up to 5 years | Administration or RO for statutory work | Initial, annual/intermediate and renewal | Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate → |
| Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate | SOLAS I | Up to 5 years | Administration or RO for statutory work | Initial, annual/periodical and renewal | Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate → |
| Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate | SOLAS I | Up to 5 years | Administration or RO for statutory work | Initial, periodical and renewal | Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate → |
| International Ship Security Certificate | SOLAS XI-2 / ISPS Code | Up to 5 years | Administration or RSO as authorised | Initial, intermediate and renewal verification | International Ship Security Certificate → |
| Maritime Labour Certificate | MLC 2006 | Up to 5 years | Competent authority or recognised organisation | Initial, intermediate and renewal | Maritime Labour Certificate → |
| DOC / SMC | SOLAS IX / ISM Code | Company DOC and ship SMC: normally up to 5 years; distinguish interim certificates and specific provisions. | Administration or recognised organisation | DOC: annual verification within ±3 months of anniversary. SMC: at least one intermediate; if only one in five years, between second and third anniversaries. | DOC / SMC → |
| Measurement and load line | |||||
| International Load Line Certificate | Load Lines 1966/1988 | Up to 5 years | Administration or RO for statutory work | Initial, annual and renewal | International Load Line Certificate → |
| International Tonnage Certificate (1969) | Tonnage 1969 | No periodic expiry; relevant changes and flag transfer are subject to Convention article 10. | Administration or authorised organisation | Initial; reissue after relevant changes | International Tonnage Certificate (1969) → |
| Classification | |||||
| Certificate of Class | Classification society rules | Subject to the classification society rules; commonly maintained within a five-year class survey cycle | Classification society, in its class capacity | Annual, intermediate and special/renewal class surveys; bottom/docking surveys as applicable | Certificate of Class → |
Certificate extensions
Certain statutory certificates may be extended by the Administration under the conditions and limits stated in the applicable convention, commonly to allow the ship to reach a port of survey. The three-month mechanism must not be applied generically to every document in this catalogue. Always identify the certificate-specific provision and calculate any permitted period from the date required by that provision.
Use limitations. This overview supports learning and preparation; it does not replace procedures, authority decisions, Company instructions or verification of current source material.
Review sources: IMO — HSSC 2025; Paris MoU — ISM certification
Last substantive revision: 16 September 2026 · page fingerprint 5deedefd8ec9