Applicable to:
Cutter Suction Dredgers (CSD), Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHD), Backhoe Dredgers, Grab Dredgers, Split Hopper Barges, Floating Cranes, Pile Driving Vessels
1. Temporary Registration of Engineering Vessels
1.1 Definition and Applicable Scenarios
Core Definition: Temporary vessel registration serves as a temporary identity card for vessels. It is a temporary nationality certificate issued to vessels under specific circumstances, allowing vessels to legally fly the flag, sail for sea trials, or complete handover before formal registration.
Applicable Scenarios:
Purchasing or newly building vessels abroad: When buying vessels abroad or agreeing on delivery outside the country in the contract, sail the vessel back to China with the temporary nationality certificate.
Export of newly built domestic vessels: Engineering vessels built in China sold to foreign shipowners with agreed delivery in China.
Sea trials of new vessels: Newly built vessels need to sail for performance testing before formal delivery.
Bareboat charter (inbound): Leasing vessels from abroad via bareboat charter, required to fly the national flag during the lease period.
1.2 Validity Period, Legal Effect and Core Characteristics
Validity Period: Generally no more than 1 year; for bareboat charter from abroad, it may be extended appropriately according to the lease contract, up to a maximum of 2 years.
Legal Effect: Within the validity period, it has the same legal effect as the formal registration certificate, and the vessel can navigate legally.
Core Characteristics:
Convenience: Relatively simplified procedures, applications can be made with copies of key documents (e.g., vessel sales contract), faster processing.
Independence: Temporary registration is not a mandatory step for formal registration; the two can be carried out simultaneously without mutual influence.
Finality: Temporary registration is only a transition; formal ownership and nationality registration must be completed within the specified period.
1.3 List of Required Documents (Taking Sierra Leone as an Example)
Ownership Proof: Bill of Sale or Builder's Certificate (copy), Company Ownership Certificate (copy).
Pollution and Insurance: "Blue" Card CLC Oil Pollution Certificate (oil tankers only), "Blue" Card Bunker Oil Pollution Certificate (all vessels), P&I Guarantee Certificate (all vessels).
Compliance Documents: ISM Compliance Document (copy).
Registry Proof: Last CSR issued to the vessel by the original flag state (or dual registration state) (copy), Original Classification Society Certificate (copy).
Yanyang Marine can assist clients with processing.
2. Single Voyage Certificate for Engineering Vessels (Including New Requirements for International Voyages)
2.1 Definition and Nature
Core Concept: Single voyage refers to a single international voyage undertaken by vessels that do not normally engage in international voyages under special circumstances.
Navigation modes include self-propulsion and towing.
Legal Basis: In accordance with Article 1(4)(a) of the SOLAS Convention, the competent authority may exempt vessels that do not normally engage in international voyages from certain requirements for a single international voyage, provided that they meet the safety requirements deemed sufficient by the competent authority for such voyage.
Important Restriction: Single voyage navigation shall not carry cargo or passengers, generally for delivery purposes only.
2.2 New Requirements for Single Voyage International Voyage Certificate (Core Update)
Vessels applying for a Single Voyage Certificate (Special Registry Certificate) must meet the following statutory certificate requirements:
Applicable Statutory Certificates: Issued by a Recognized Organization (RO), with a validity period at least consistent with that of the single voyage registration certificate.
Basic Documents: Must hold Nationality Registration Certificate, Radio Station License, Minimum Manning Certificate.
Wreck Removal Certificate (WRC): Applicable to vessels of 300 gross tonnage and above, the validity period of financial security shall be at least consistent with that of the Special Registry Certificate (Single Voyage Certificate).
Bunker Oil Pollution Damage Certificate (BCC): Applicable to vessels of 1000 gross tonnage and above, the validity period of financial security shall be at least consistent with that of the Special Registry Certificate.
International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC): Temporary certificate may be issued by the classification society or Recognized Organization.
Carbon Emission Certificate (SOC-DCS CII): Data shall be sent to the classification society for verification after the voyage, and relevant documents shall be applied for immediately upon expiration of the single voyage registration.
Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR)
Safety Management System Certificate (SMS): The vessel must be subject to a safety management system, and at least an interim Safety Management Certificate (SMC) and a valid copy of the Document of Compliance (DOC) shall be kept on board; if the vessel is managed by a company with a DOC certificate issued by a non-Panamanian flag state, a valid DOC certificate issued on behalf of other competent authorities may be accepted for the intended single voyage.
2.3 Special Requirements for Single Voyage Towing Operations
If commercial towing operations are not salvage or rescue towing services, the Guidelines for Safe Ocean Towing (MSC/Circ.884) shall be followed.
Towing Vessel Requirements: Comply with requirements on responsibility division, manning, navigation planning, preparation, inspection, design environmental conditions, weather forecast, towing equipment, emergency handling, etc.
Towed Vessel Requirements:
Vessels of 300 gross tonnage and above must hold a valid Wreck Removal Certificate (WRC);
Vessels of 1000 gross tonnage and above with bunker oil or residues on board must hold a valid Bunker Oil Pollution Damage Certificate (BCC);
The validity period of the above insurance/financial security shall cover the validity period of the single voyage certificate.
2.4 Exemption and Special Case Handling
If a vessel cannot comply with specific requirements of international conventions or rules due to special circumstances, the competent authority shall conduct a joint assessment with the designated classification society/Recognized Organization to decide whether to issue an exemption certificate or single voyage authorization, and each application shall be assessed individually according to its specific circumstances.
2.5 Navigation Restrictions
Cargo and Passenger Carrying Restriction: Vessels on single international voyages shall not carry cargo or passengers.
Scope of Application: Only applicable to single voyages for delivery purposes; vessels shall not carry any cargo or passengers.
The above requirements are general requirements, some of which are not applicable to engineering vessels, and partial exemptions may be granted during actual processing.
Yanyang Marine can assist clients with processing.
Single Voyage Certificate sample:
3. Processing Procedures
3.1 Processing Procedures for Vessel Temporary Registration
Confirm Eligibility: Verify whether it falls into the four categories requiring temporary registration: purchasing/newly building vessels abroad, exporting newly built domestic vessels, sea trials of new vessels, and inbound bareboat charter.
Prepare Documents: Prepare complete copies of Bill of Sale or Builder’s Certificate, Company Ownership Certificate, "Blue" Card CLC Oil Pollution Certificate (oil tankers only), "Blue" Card Bunker Oil Pollution Certificate (all vessels), P&I Guarantee Certificate (all vessels), ISM Compliance Document (copy), last CSR of the original flag state/dual registration state (copy), Original Classification Society Certificate (copy).
Submit Application: Submit all documents to the flag state registry or officially authorized agency.
Obtain Temporary Registration Certificate: After approval, obtain the temporary vessel nationality certificate, valid for no more than 1 year generally; up to 2 years for bareboat chartered vessels from abroad.
Follow-up Formal Registration: Complete formal ownership and nationality registration within the validity period of temporary registration.
3.2 Processing Procedures for Single Voyage Vessel Certificate
Prepare Documents: In accordance with the new requirements for single voyage certificates, prepare complete statutory certificates issued by a Recognized Organization (RO) with validity covering the single voyage registration certificate, as well as Nationality Registration Certificate, Radio Station License, Minimum Manning Certificate, WRC, BCC, ISSC, SOC-DCS CII, CSR, SMS (interim SMC + valid DOC copy) and other full set of certificates and financial security certificates.
Submit Application: Submit an application to the competent authority or authorized agency, specifying the purpose of voyage (self-propulsion/towing), route and operation nature.
Exemption Assessment (if required): If the vessel cannot meet specific requirements of international conventions/rules, the competent authority shall conduct a case-by-case assessment of exemption certificates or single voyage authorizations jointly with the designated classification society/Recognized Organization.
Review and Issuance: After the competent authority completes document review and exemption assessment, issue the single voyage certificate and relevant exemption documents.
Post-voyage Compliance: After the voyage, send SOC-DCS CII relevant data to the classification society/Recognized Organization for verification, and complete the corresponding documents immediately upon expiration of the single voyage registration certificate.
Yanyang Marine can assist clients with processing.
4. Summary
Temporary Registration: Applicable to vessels requiring a long transition period (up to 2 years), with a relatively complete legal identity.
Single Voyage Certificate: Applicable to one-off international voyages (delivery, dismantling, etc.), strictly prohibited from carrying cargo and passengers.
Latest Compliance Priorities: Pay special attention to the validity of WRC, BCC, CSR and SMS certificates when applying for a single voyage certificate, and the insurance period shall cover the validity period of the single voyage certificate; vessels that do not meet conventional requirements shall apply for exemption assessment in advance.
FAQ: Ship Temporary Registration & Single Voyage Certificates
I. Concept & Relationship
Q1: Is a Single Voyage Certificate the same as Temporary Registration?
A: No. Although both have a "temporary" nature, they are fundamentally different:
Temporary Registration: Acts as a "Temporary ID Card" for the ship. It grants the vessel a temporary legal identity and nationality for a longer period (usually up to 1 year), allowing for multiple voyages and commercial operations during that time.
Single Voyage Certificate: Acts as a "One-Time Pass". It only permits the ship to undertake a single, specific voyage for a defined purpose (e.g., delivery, demolition). The certificate expires once the voyage is complete and does not grant a long-term legal identity.
Q2: Does Temporary Registration include Single Voyage Registration?
A: No, they are parallel concepts. They both fall under the broad category of "Temporary Registration," but they serve different needs:
Temporary Registration: Suitable for scenarios requiring a transition period, such as delivering a new building to the home country or bareboat chartering.
Single Voyage Registration: Suitable for scenarios where the ship only needs to be moved once (e.g., sale transition, towing for demolition).
II. New Requirements for Single Voyage International Voyages
Q3: Can a ship on a Single Voyage carry cargo or passengers?
A: Absolutely not. The Single Voyage Certificate is strictly for specific purposes like delivery or demolition. Commercial cargo or passenger transport is prohibited.
Q4: What are the special requirements for towed voyages?
A: Operations must follow the Guidelines for Safe Ocean Towing (MSC/Circ.884). The towed vessel must hold valid WRC and BCC certificates (depending on tonnage and bunker oil presence). Both the towing and towed vessels must meet corresponding manning and insurance requirements.
Q5: What if the ship cannot comply with certain Convention requirements?
A: You may apply for an Exemption. The Administration, in consultation with the Class Society, will evaluate the situation and may issue an "Exemption Certificate" or "Single Voyage Authorization" for specific non-compliances.
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