As informed by ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-1224, EC has published Commission Notice (2020/C 349/01) considering the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and ClassNK will issue a conditional SOC with validity for maximum 4 months, but not later than 30 June 2021 for the vessels with a semi-completed IHM without the on-board sampling element, subject to the agreement of the flag state.

On the other hand, when a vessel that without carrying on board a valid IHM and/or accompanying certificate calls at a port in an EU member state after December 31, 2020, the shipowner or master should provide "a service contract for sampling or a survey (quoted from the Commission Notice)” as evidence that all possible steps have been taken to obtain an IHM (including a "semi-completed IHM") certification, and a documents proving why the semi-completed IHM could not be obtained.

In order to assist in document verification in the above cases, ClassNK will provide a "IHM status letter" indicating the status of IHM certification for ships that have applied to ClassNK for IHM Certification and have submitted a Visual/Sampling Check Plan (VSCP).

The IHM status letter for each ship registered with ClassNK is available on "NK-SHIPS", our on-line information service, and it can be downloaded by each client. Please refer to the attached document for details on the download procedure.
For ships registered with other classification societies than ClassNK, please contact our Ship Management System Department as they are not available on "NK-SHIPS".

Please note that this letter is only one part of the proof required during ship inspections in Europe and other documents may also be required to be presented.

(To be continued)