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Indexed items
Certificates, manuals, plans, records, test reports, and insurance documents.
01 · Overview
What this list is for
This is IMO's consolidated index of certificates and documents required to be carried on board ships. FAL.2/Circ.133, MEPC.1/Circ.902, MSC.1/Circ.1646, and LEG.2/Circ.4 are issued by different IMO bodies but refer to the same 2022 list. In practice, work through general requirements first, then ship type, cargo, equipment, and record-keeping.
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Main sections
From all ships and passenger/cargo ships to chemical tankers, gas carriers, polar waters, and low-flashpoint fuels.
6+
Convention families
SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, BWM, AFS, CLC/Bunkers/WRC, and more.
2022
2022 edition
Replaces the 2017 circular list and is a useful baseline for document updates.
✅ Good uses
Building an onboard certificate index, delivery/redelivery checklists, internal audit prep, and a first-pass review before LR/Flag/ISM/ISPS document checks.
⚠️ Not a stand-alone compliance basis
Do not use this list alone to judge deficiencies. Always return to the governing convention, code, flag Administration instruction, class rules, PSC practice, and the ship's actual configuration.
02 · Practical workflow
Recommended workflow: filter from broad to narrow
This is not a universal tick-all list. It is a layered filter. The workflow below helps avoid treating non-applicable documents as deficiencies.
Confirm ship particulars
Ship type, GT, trading pattern, convention status, build date, and major conversion dates.
Apply general items first
Certificates plus safety, pollution-prevention, security, crew, and record-type documents.
Add ship-type items
Passenger, cargo, tanker, bulk carrier, gas carrier, chemical tanker, and similar types.
Add cargo and operation items
Dangerous goods, packaged DG, INF, oil/NLS bulk, grain, polar waters.
Add equipment-driven items
VDR, AIS, LRIT, EGCS, BWMS, incinerator, helicopter facility, low-flashpoint fuel systems.
Check form and validity
Valid, approved, endorsed, on board, accessible, updated; electronic documents must follow the relevant guidelines.
03 · Convention map
Convention map
Use this map to recognise which regulatory family a document belongs to before you inspect it.
| Theme | Typical document types | Practical inspection focus |
|---|---|---|
| SOLAS Safety | Safety CertificateFire planLSA manualTest report | Validity, attached forms, onboard availability/posting, equipment test reports, alternative design and exemptions. |
| MARPOL Pollution | IOPP/IAPP/IEERecord BookSOPEP/SMPEPSEEMP | GT thresholds, cargo type, emission control areas, BDN/sample retention, CII/EEXI/SEEMP updates. |
| STCW / Crew | CoC/CoPHours of rest | Availability of originals, rank competence, completeness of rest-hour records. |
| Security / ISM | SMC/DOCISSCSecurity records | ISM/ISPS certification, CSR continuity, SSP and security record retention. |
| Special operation | PolarIGFHSCINF | Applies only to specific ship types, cargoes, or areas and is often missed when operation is occasional. |
| Liability insurance | BunkersWRCCLCAthens/PAL | GT/passenger/oil thresholds, contracting States, certificate format, and issuing/recognised authority. |
04 · Searchable database
Searchable certificate and document table
Search by certificate, manual, record, SOLAS, MARPOL, IGF, Polar, BWMS, and more. Use the filter buttons to narrow the list quickly.
Tags:
SOLAS
MARPOL
STCW
Record
Liability
Special
| Section | Certificate / document | Applicability summary | Reference |
|---|
No matching items. Try another keyword or switch back to All.
05 · Ship type reminders
Ship-type and cargo reminders
The most common mistake is not ignorance of a document, but failing to judge when it actually applies.
Cargo ships
- 500 GT and over: Cargo Ship Safety Construction / Equipment, etc.
- 300 GT and over with a radio installation: Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate.
- Oil tankers and bulk carriers also need ESP, Ship Structure Access Manual, CAS, ODMC, COW, STS, VOC, and related items.
Passenger ships
- In addition to section 1 general items: Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, decision support system, SAR cooperation plan, and operational limitations list.
- Licensed to carry more than 12 passengers: passenger liability insurance certificate.
Oil / chemical / gas tankers
- Oil tanker: IOPP, Oil Record Book Part II, SOPEP, COW, STS, ODMC, CLC, and related items.
- Chemical tanker: NLS, Cargo Record Book, P&A Manual, SMPEP, BCH/IBC Certificate of Fitness.
- Gas carrier: GC/IGC Certificate of Fitness, Cargo Operations Manuals, especially ESD and PRV emergency isolating procedures.
New environmental / energy-efficiency documents
- SEEMP, IEE, fuel-oil consumption / CII statements, and EEXI Technical Files are common fleet-management focus areas.
- Ships with EGCS need the SOx Emission Compliance Certificate and EGC System Technical Manual.
Special areas and special fuels
- Polar waters: Polar Ship Certificate and PWOM.
- Ships using gas or low-flashpoint fuels: IGF Code maintenance, emergency, and operational procedures plus fuel-handling manual.
Record-type documents
- Record books must be onboard, readable, up to date, and retained for the required period.
- Common examples: oil/garbage/ballast/cargo record books, hours of rest, VDR/AIS/LRIT test reports, pilot ladder records, and navigational activity records.
06 · Important notes
Important notes on using this page
This page is a working visual note, not an official instrument. Formal decisions must follow the latest IMO instruments, flag Administration guidance, class/RO instructions, and the ship's actual configuration.
Scope
Covers only documents required under IMO instruments to be carried on board. It does not include other organisations, authorities, ports, charterers, or company SMS extras.
Electronic documents
Electronic certificates and records must follow the relevant IMO guidelines and remain demonstrable, verifiable, and readable onboard.
PSC / deficiency decisions
For PSC or formal deficiency decisions, return to the governing convention, code, flag circular, RO instruction, and specific regulation.