IMO identification number schemes
IMO SHIP IDENTIFICATION NUMBER SCHEME
(Circular letter No.1886/Rev.5)
The IMO ship identification number
scheme was introduced in 1987 through adoption of resolution A.600(15), as a
measure aimed at enhancing "maritime safety, and pollution prevention and
to facilitate the prevention of maritime fraud". It aimed at assigning a
permanent number to each ship for identification purposes. That number would
remain unchanged upon transfer of the ship to other flag(s) and would be
inserted in the ship's certificates. When made mandatory, through SOLAS
regulation XI/3 (adopted in 1994), specific criteria of passenger ships of 100
gross tonnage and upwards and all cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards were
agreed.
The implementation of the scheme
became mandatory as of 1 January 1996. In 2013, IMO adopted resolution
A.1078(28) in order to allow the voluntary application of the IMO Ship
Identification Number Scheme to fishing vessels of 100 gross tons and above.
SOLAS regulation XI-1/3 requires ships' identification numbers to be permanently marked in a visible place either on the ship's hull or superstructure. Passenger ships should carry the marking on a horizontal surface visible from the air. Ships should also be marked with their ID numbers internally.
The IMO ship identification number is
made of the three letters "IMO" followed by the seven-digit number
assigned to all ships by IHS Maritime (formerly known as Lloyd's
Register-Fairplay) when constructed. This is a unique seven digit number that
is assigned to propelled, sea-going merchant ships of 100 GT and above upon
keel laying with the exception of the following:
·
Ships without mechanical means
of propulsion
·
Pleasure yachts
·
Ships engaged on special
service (e.g. lightships, SAR vessels)
·
Hopper barges
·
Hydrofoils, air cushion
vehicles
·
Floating docks and structures
classified in a similar manner
·
Ships of war and troopships
·
Wooden ships
This number is assigned to the total
portion of the hull enclosing the machinery space and is the determining factor,
should additional sections be added.
The IMO number is never reassigned to another ship
and is shown on the ship’s certificates.
IMO ship identification number -
contact
IHS Maritime is the manager of
the scheme and, as such, identifies and assigns IMO numbers without charge.
For verification of IMO numbers
for individual ships, IHS Maritime operates a service following receipt of
a completed IMO number Request Form.
Contact:
IHS Maritime
(Part of IHS Global Limited)
Sentinel House
163 Brighton Road
Surrey CR5 2YH
United Kingdom
International telephone: (+44)
(0)1737 379054
International fax: (+44)
(0)1737 379040
___________________________________________________________________
IMO UNIQUE COMPANY AND REGISTERED
OWNER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER SCHEME MO UNIQUE COMPANY AND REGISTERED
OWNER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER SCHEME
(Circular letter No.2554/Rev.3)
The IMO Unique Company and
Registered Owner Identification Number Scheme was introduced through the
adoption by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its seventy-eighth session
(12 to 21 May 2004), of resolution MSC.160(78), as a measure to
enhance maritime safety, security and environmental protection, and to
facilitate the prevention of maritime fraud. Its purpose is to assign a
permanent number for identification purposes to each company and/or registered
owner managing ships of 100 gross tonnage and above engaged on international
voyages. Additionally, Administrations are invited to participate in the
scheme to the extent they desire by assigning an IMO unique company and
registered owner identification number (hereinafter, referred to as “Number”)
to each company and/or registered owner managing ships of 100 gross tonnage and
above not engaged on international voyages.
The IMO Unique Company and
Registered Owner Identification Number Scheme is managed, in parallel with the
IMO Ship Identification Number Scheme (resolution A.600(15)) and procedures for
the implementation thereof (Circular letter No.1886/Rev.5), without charge by
IHS Maritime. The scheme may assign Numbers to companies and/or
registered owners of ships not required to have IMO ship identification
numbers.
The Number is a IHS Maritime
number, allocated at the time of issuance of the documents detailed in
paragraph 6 of the Annex to resolution MSC.160(78) or registration of a ship
not required to have these documents. The Number consists of seven digits assigned
by IHS Maritime. The label begins with the letters "IMO"
followed by either "Company" or "Registered Owner", then,
followed by the seven digits.
Once assigned, the Number
remains unchanged for a company and/or registered owner. When companies and/or
registered owners merge, as a matter of general policy, IHS Maritime
assigns the Number of the larger company and/or registered owner to the new
amalgamated entity, while the Number of the smaller entity is frozen and not
re-used.
The methods for obtaining
Numbers on existing registered owners and companies, for assigning a Number to
registered owners or companies that have not previously been assigned a Number
and for communicating corrected company details on existing records, on an
individual basis, are as follows:
- a free website (www.imonumbers.ihs.com) which
allows registered users to look up Numbers, by using the available “Search”
facility. When the companies or registered owners cannot be identified
through the “Search” function, authorized data providers should request the
assignment of new Numbers or provide corrective information on existing
records. The website has a free user registration system to enhance both the
security of the site and the information;
- paper request forms;
and
- a free web service for
Administrations to facilitate the provision of individual company and
registered owner data from IHS Maritime to flag Administrations in an
electronic format for ship registration purposes.
IMO unique
Company and Registered Owner identification number - contact
IHS Maritime
(Part of IHS Global Limited)
Sentinel House
163 Brighton Road
Coulsdon
Surrey CR5 2YH
United Kingdom
International
tel.: (+44) (0)1737 379054
International
fax: (+44) (0)1737 379040
E-mail:
fairplay.owners@ihs.com