Guidance for flag States regarding surveys and renewals of certificates during the COVID-19 pandemic

Please find attached for information the IMO Circular letter No.4204/Add.19/Rev.2 dated 22nd July 2020 “Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Guidance for flag states regarding surveys and renewals of certificates during the COVID-19 pandemic”, including the annexed “Guiding principles for the provision of technical and implementation advice to flag States when considering whether to permit statutory certificate extension beyond 3 months” developed by IACS, for the role of IACS member Classification Societies as ROs acting on behalf of flag States “.

Interesting article here by the North of England P and I that just shows how seafarers have and are suffering as a result of the COVID pandemic across the world.

In response to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has produced an updated set of guidelines to help shipping companies comply with the advice previously issued by several Inter-Governmental Organisations (IGOs).

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued guidance for flag States regarding surveys and renewals of certificates during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

During this ongoing situation, it is inevitable that flag States will have to extend the validity of statutory certificates beyond the three-month period usually allowed by many IMO instruments. Flag States also have the responsibility to issue clear statutory instructions and decisions to owners and recognised organisations (ROs).

The IMO has therefore provided step-by-step guiding principles for an evidence-based assessment of certificate extensions to be made on a case-by-case basis.