Statutory Surveys, Audits and Certification for Hong Kong Registered Cargo Ships

1. Hong Kong Marine Department (MD) has authorized nine Recognized Organizations (ROs) to carry out statutory surveys and audits for Hong Kong registered cargo ships and to issue the related certificates.

Recognized Organizations and Recognized Security Organizations

2. The following Recognized Organizations (ROs) and Recognized Security Organizations (RSOs) are authorized to carry out statutory surveys and audits for Hong Kong registered cargo ships and issue provisional or full term trading certificates on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR):-

1. American Bureau of Shipping (ABS);
2. Bureau Veritas SA (BV);
3. China Classification Society (CCS);
4. DNV AS (DNV);
5. Korean Register (KR);
6. Lloyd's Register Group Limited (LR);
7. Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NK);
8. RINA Services S.p.A. (RINA); and
9. Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS)

Acceptance of Materials and Equipment

3. MD accepts materials and equipment complying with the test procedures/standards and performance specifications laid down by IMO. In general, materials and equipments approved by a maritime authority for use on its registered ships or approved by the authorized ROs or RSOs of MD are acceptable to be used on cargo ships registered in Hong Kong.

Exemption Certificates

4. The Director of Marine (the Director) maintains the prerogative in granting exemptions from the requirements of the Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Regulations and the international conventions, and to issue exemption certificates for the first time to Hong Kong registered ships. However, for operational conveniences to all parties, all subsequent renewal of these exemption certificates may be issue by ROs or RSOs as apprpriate and tie in with the renewal of the related trading certificates. The Director need not be consulted on the renewal of such exemption certificates unless the conditions stated by the Director in the original exemption certificate cannot be fulfilled.

Application for Certificates issued by Marine Department

• Minimum Safe Manning Certificate (MSMC)

  Application forms –

  • English Version for Minimum Safe Manning Certificate (MSMC)
  • Chinese Version for Minimum Safe Manning Certificate (MSMC)

  Application should be made to the Senior Surveyor of Cargo Ships Safety Section at 24/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong or by facsimile to Fax. No. (+852) 2545 0556 or by E-mail: ss_css@mardep.gov.hk

  Fees : No charge

• Exemption Certificates

  Application should be made to the Senior Surveyor of the Cargo Ships Safety Section at 24/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong or by facsimile to Fax. No. (+852) 2545 0556 or by E-mail: ss_css@mardep.gov.hk for the issue of exemption certificates to vessels for the first time.

  Fees : No charge

• Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR)

  Application form for Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR)

  Application should be made to the Hong Kong Shipping Registry, 3/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong or by facsimile to Fax. No. (+852) 2541 8842 or 2545 4669 or by E-mail: csr@mardep.gov.hk

  Fees : HK$260

• Certificate of Compulsory Insurance or Other Financial Security in respect of Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC Certificate)

  Application forms –

  • English Version for CLC Certificate
  • Chinese Version for CLC Certificate

  Application should be made to the Senior Surveyor of Cargo Ships Safety Section at 24/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong or by facsimile to Fax. No. (+852) 2545 0556 or by E-mail: ss_css@mardep.gov.hk

  Fees : HK$535

• Certificates in respect of ship radio

  Ship Station Licence

  Applicants should contact the Licensing Office, Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA), 26/F, Wu Chung House, 213, Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong or by facsimile to Fax. No. (+852) 3155 0986or by E-mail: license.mob@ofca.gov.hk, and

  GMDSS CoEC and Endorsement

  Application should be submitted to the Support Services Subsection, Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA), 20/F, Wu Chung House, 213, Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong or by facsimile to Fax. No. (+852) 3155 0914 or by E-mail: maritime@ofca.gov.hk