Revoked by A.1117(30)
Resolution A.1078(28)
Adopted on 4 December 2013
IMO Ship Identification Number Scheme
THE ASSEMBLY,
RECALLING
Article 15(j) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Assembly in relation to regulations and
guidelines concerning maritime safety and the prevention and control of marine
pollution from ships,
BELIEVING that
the enhancement of maritime safety and pollution prevention and the prevention
of maritime fraud could be facilitated if a permanent identification number
were assigned to a ship which would remain unchanged upon transfer of its flag
and would be inserted on the ship's certificates,
RECALLING ALSO
that, by resolution A.600(15),
it adopted the IMO Ship Identification Number Scheme,
RECOGNIZING
the need for the IMO Ship Identification Number Scheme to be revised to
allow its voluntary application to ships of 100 gross tonnage and above,
including fishing vessels,
HAVING
CONSIDERED the recommendation made by the Maritime Safety Committee at its
ninety-second session,
1 ADOPTS the IMO Ship
Identification Number Scheme, for implementation on a voluntary basis, as
set out in the annex to the present resolution;
2 INVITES Governments
concerned to implement the scheme, as far as it is practicable, and to inform
the Organization of measures taken in this respect;
3 REQUESTS the Maritime
Safety Committee to keep the scheme under review for further improvement as may
be necessary;
4
REVOKES resolution A.600(15).
Annex
IMO SHIP IDENTIFICATION NUMBER SCHEME
Introduction
1 The purpose of the scheme
is to enhance maritime safety and pollution prevention and to facilitate the
prevention of maritime fraud. It is not intended to prejudice matters of
liability, civil law or other commercial considerations in the operation of a
ship. The scheme may be applied by Administrations on a voluntary basis for new
and existing ships under their flag which are engaged in international voyages.
Administrations may also wish to assign the IMO numbers to ships engaged solely
on domestic voyages and to insert the number in the national certificates.
Application
2 The scheme applies to
seagoing ships of 100 gross tonnage and above, with the exception of the
following:
- ships without mechanical
means of propulsion;
-
pleasure yachts;
- ships engaged on special
service1;
____________________
1For example, lightships, floating radio stations, search and
rescue vessels.
-
hopper barges;
-
hydrofoils, hovercraft;
- floating docks and
structures classified in a similar manner;
- ships of war and troop
ships; and
-
wooden ships in general.
Assignment of IMO number
3 The IMO number is a
number, allocated by IHS Maritime2 at the time of build or when a
ship is first included in the Register of Ships, with the prefix IMO (e.g.
IMO8712345). Administrations which have decided to implement the scheme are
invited to assign all appropriate ships flying their flags, or cause them to be
assigned, the IMO numbers and to insert them on ships' certificates.
_________________
2 Formerly known as IHS-Fairplay
(IHS-F).
4 For new ships, the
assignment to the IMO number should be made when the ship is registered. For
existing ships, the assignment of the IMO number should be made at an early
convenient date, such as when the renewal survey is completed or new
certificates are issued.
5 Administrations
implementing the scheme are invited to inform the Organization accordingly, for
circulation to other Governments.
6 Official publications and
other information from IHS Maritime are sources for referencing the
identification number. If the particulars of a ship do not correspond to those
shown in the Register of Ships and its supplement because, for example, the
ship had changed name, or the port State control officer had doubts as to
whether the numbers given on the certificates were genuine, further
clarification may be sought from IHS Maritime, the IMO Secretariat or the flag
State.