COVID-19 Information
- Actions for surveys/audits responding to the spread of COVID-19
- Guidance issued by IMO on GBS application concerning unforeseen delays in the delivery of bulk carriers and oil tankers
- Information on circulars issued by Flag states responding to the spread of COVID-19
Committing to provide essential service to all our clients continuously, ClassNK has given first priority to preventing the further spread of infection as well as ensuring the safety of concerned parties in accordance with the instructions and recommendations by respective national/regional administrations. Though our service may be interrupted due to restrictions, we ask for your kind understanding and cooperation.
Actions for surveys/audits responding to the spread of COVID-19
(Updated on 27 Mar. 2020)
In response to the spread of COVID-19, ClassNK has been making every effort to provide support to all those who may miss due dates for surveys/audits due to force majeure. Specifically, we are offering applicable alternative measures such as the application of remote surveys and postponement of surveys etc., subject to approval of the flag state administration.
Related ClassNK Technical Information (TEC-1203)
[For inquiries relating to class & statutory surveys]
Head Office Survey Department
Email : svd@classnk.or.jp
Tel. : +81-3-5226-2027
[For inquiries relating to ISM/ISPS/MLC audits & inspections]
Head Office Ship Management Systems Department
Email : smd@classnk.or.jp
Tel. : +81-3-5226-2173
Guidance issued by IMO on GBS application concerning unforeseen delays in the delivery of bulk carriers and oil tankers
(Updated on 10 Apr. 2020)
GBS (Goal-based standard), as stipulated in SOLAS II-1/3-10, is applied to oil tankers and bulk carriers of more than 150m in length delivered on or after 1 July 2020. Design and construction of these ships shall comply with rules deemed as compliant with GBS.
Due to the spread of COVID-19, concerns were raised that unforeseen delays in the delivery affected by COVID-19 for non-GBS vessels scheduled to be delivered before 1 July 2020 might cause unintentional application of GBS to those vessels. To address the concerns, an IMO Circular has been issued so that the flag state administration may accept as the ship delivered before the application date of GBS on a case-by-case basis, bearing in mind such circumstances.
Circular Letter No.4204/Add.7
For any inquiries relating to IMO in general, please contact the following department. Regarding the matter on specific ship, please contact the nearest ClassNK office or Survey Dept. as above.
Head Office External Affairs Department
Email : xad@classnk.or.jp
Tel. : +81-3-5226-2038
Information on circulars issued by Flag states responding to the spread of COVID-19
The circulars issued by Flag state administrations are posted as follows. These circulars includes information and instructions in case where surveys/audits in accordance with Conventions such as SOLAS, Load Line, MARPOL, and ISM,/ISPS/MLC cannot be carried out by their due dates because of the impact of COVID-19. Other circulars, providing wide range of information on the protection of seafarers' health and postponement of crew assignments, etc, are posted as well. Although we strive to publish the latest information to the best of our ability, information will also be updated by flag state administrations as necessary, so please also make sure to refer to their websites.
(Updated on 13 May 2022)
Information on circulars
| Flag state | Circular No. | Title | Link | issue date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | Circular 2020-001(Rev.2) | Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) | 2021/3/30 | |
| Bahamas | Technical Alert 22-01 v1.0 | COVID-19 | 2022/1/7 | |
| Barbados | Bulletin 323 | COVID-19: GUIDANCE | 2020/3/19 | |
| Bulletin 323 Addendum | COVID-19: DISPENSATION REQUESTS | 2020/3/30 | ||
| Belgium | Circular 2020/002 Ver.1.6 | Operational measures concerning certification related to Covid-19 | 2021/12/8 | |
| Belize | Merchant Marine Notice MMN-20-003r1 | BELIZE (IMMARBE) Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Temporary Measures | 2020/6/5 | |
| Bermuda | BERMUDA MERCHANT SHIPPING GUIDANCE NOTICE 2020-01 | Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Outbreak on Bermuda-Registered Ships | 2020/3/17 | |
| BERMUDA MERCHANT SHIPPING GUIDANCE NOTICE 2020-02 | COVID-19 – Extension of Periodical Life Saving Appliance and Fixed Fire Extinguishing Servicing | 2020/3/17 | ||
| BERMUDA MERCHANT SHIPPING GUIDANCE NOTICE 2020-03(04) | COVID-19 – Continuity of Ship Certification | 2020/10/22 | ||
| Brazil | PORTARIA No.85/DPC | DIRETORIA DE PORTOS E COSTAS | 2020/3/19 | |
| PORTARIA No.215/DPC | DIRETORIA DE PORTOS E COSTAS | 2020/6/30 | ||
| Brunei | Shipping Notice BC/09/2020 | International Maritime Organization (IMO) Covid-19 Guidance for Flag States Regarding Surveys and Renewals of Certificates During The Covid-19 Pandemic | 2020/6/16 | |
| Cayman Islands | Guidance Note 02/2020 Rev.5 | IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON OPERATION OF CAYMAN ISLANDS REGISTERED SHIPS | 2021/1/7 | |
| Guidance Note 05/2020 (Rev.1) | OFFICIAL LOG BOOKS & IMO RECORD BOOKS (COVID-19) | 2020/4/10 | ||
| Comoros | Circular Ref.No.21/01855/COME4 | CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) – GUIDANCE RELATING TO THE POSTPONEMENT/EXTENSION OF STATUTORY CERTIFICATION & SERVICES | 2021/1/4 | |
| Cook Islands | Circular 227/2020 | COVID-19 – Extension of mandatory surveys, audits, inspections and validity of statutory certificates. | 2020/3/19 | |
| Circular 228/2020 | COVID-19 – Format of documentation on board Cook Islands’ Vessels | 2020/3/25 | ||
| Curacao | Notice to Shipping 10 NTS 10-2020 | MAC COVID-19 Contingency plan and guidelines | 2020/3/31 | |
| Notice to Shipping 21 NTS 21-2021 | MAC COVID-19 Contingency plan and guidelines | 2021/12/21 | ||
| Cyprus | Circular No.06/2020 | Special arrangement by the Shipping Debuty Ministry for the provision of services during the COVID-19 outbreak | 2020/3/17 | |
| Circular No. 20/2022 | Urgent Provisional Measures for the operation of Cyprus ships during the Covid-19 outbreak | 2022/5/2 | ||
| Denmark | Case 2020009936 | COVID-19 - Additional instructions for Recognised Organisations acting on behalf of the Danish Maritime Authority | 2020/9/16 | |
| Dominica | CD-MSC 01-20 Rev01 | ADVISORY ON THE 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) | 2020/3/3 | |
| CD-MSC 02-20 Rev01 | Guidance to Assist with Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Ship Operations | 2020/3/16 | ||
| Georgia | No.17/CIRC/FSI | Measures taken by Georgia regarding COVID-19 Pandemic | 2020/4/7 | |
| No. 28/CIRC/FSI | Flag State Inspection and Survey on behalf of MTA in the period of COVID-19 Pandemic | 2020/10/23 | ||
| Gibraltar | Shipping Information Notice 069 | COVID-19 – Periodical Verifications / Inspections | 2020/3/13 | |
| Shipping Information Notice 070 | COVID-19 – Periodical Verifications / Inspections (To be read in conjunction with SIN – 069) | 2020/3/16 | ||
| Shipping Information Notice 075 | COVID-19 - Temporary acceptance of alternative procedures ISM Code Section 12.1 – Internal Safety Audits | 2020/4/30 | ||
| Shipping Information Notice 075(a) | COVID-19 - Temporary acceptance of alternative procedures ISM Code Section 12.1 – Internal Safety Audits | 2020/11/24 | ||
| Shipping Information Notice 078 | (COVID-19) - Use of alternative measures for the completion of surveys on internationally trading Gibraltar registered ships.(To be read in conjunction with SIN 069) | 2020/7/8 | ||
| Shipping Information Notice 079 | (COVID-19) - GMA approach to a phased return to survey and certification activity (To be read in conjunction with SIN 069 & 078) | 2020/6/17 | ||
| Greece | Circular | INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION RELATED MEASURES TAKEN BY THE HELLENIC MARITIME ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO COVID-19- ISSUES | 2020/4/1 | |
| Honduras | Ciruclar DGMM No. 008-2020 | - | 2020/3/25 | |
| Hong Kong | - | <Dedicated webpage> Special Arrangements by the Hong Kong Marine Department under COVID-19 Pandemic Situation | URL | - |
| - | Special arrangement under COVID-19 pandemic procedures for extending statutory certificate beyond 3 months | 2020/7/3 | ||
| India | DGS Order No.13 of 2020 | Extension to the validity of Seafarer's Certificates and Ship's Statutory Certificates, periodical Surveys & Audits in view of COVlD-19 pandemic. | 2020/5/21 | |
| DGS Order No.17 of 2020 | Extension of validity of Seafarer's Certificate and Ship's Statutory Certificates, Periodical Surveys and Audits in view of COVID-19 pandemic | 2020/6/29 | ||
| DGS Order No. 23 of 2021 | Conduct of Ships Statutory Surveys, Inspections and Audits for the purpose of issuance of Certificates, endorsements of Certificates and extension of validity of Certificates during COVID-19 Pandemic - reg. | 2021/5/14 | ||
| Ireland | Marine Notice No.15 of 2020 Amended 07/09/2021 | Temporary Contingency Planning for the Surveying and Certification of Irish Registered Ships – COVID-19 | 2021/9/7 | |
| Isle of Man | Technical Advisory Notice 002-20 (Rev.7) | COVID-19 Advice to Ship Operators | 2021/10/15 | |
| Italy | Circular Letter No.4231/Add.1 | Measures to Address Covid-19 | 2020/4/2 | |
| Japan | - | 新型コロナウイルス感染症を受けた国土交通省海事局の措置 本ページ下記「日本籍船舶の証書及び検査・審査に対する措置について」もあわせてご覧ください。 |
2020/4/8 | |
| Kiribati | Marine Circular 52/2020 | COVID-19 Business Continuity | 2020/3/31 | |
| Marine Circular 53/2020 | Extension of Statutory Certificates, Surveys, Audits & Inspections due to COVID-19 | 2020/4/10 | ||
| Kuwait | KSN/MTD Circ.1/2020 | Marine Transport Department guidance relating ships/seafarers certificate - extraordinary measures resulting (COVID-19) pandemic | 2020/4/1 | |
| KSN-MTD Circ.1/2020 (Add.1) | Marine Transport Department guidance relating Ships/Seafarers Certifications – Extraordinary measures resulting (COVID-19) pandemic | 2020/7/5 | ||
| KSN-MTD Circ.1/2020 (Add.2) | Marine Transport Department guidance relating Ships/Seafarers Certifications – Extraordinary measures resulting (COVID-19) pandemic | 2020/8/10 | ||
| Liberia | Marine Advisory 07/2020-2 | Guidance to Assist with Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Ship Operations | 2020/4/8 | |
| Marine Advisory 11/2020-2 | Implementation of IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.1: COVID-19 – Implementation and enforcement of relevant IMO instruments | 2020/4/22 | ||
| Marine Advisory 17/2020 | Guidance on Exception of Goal Based Standard (GBS) Requirements for Newly Constructed Vessels suffering delays due to COVID-19 | 2020/4/30 | ||
| Libya | Circular No. 04/2020 | Libyan Ports & Maritime Transport Authority Circular No. 04/2020 Regarding Interim Policy on Extension/Postponement of surveys/audits and inspections due to the outbreaks of COVID-19 | 2020/4/1 | |
| Luxembourg | CAM 002/2020 updated version 17 November 2020 | Extraordinary measures related to crew documents and ship certificates in relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic | 2020/11/17 | |
| Malaysia | MALAYSIAN SHIPPING NOTICE MSN 03/ 2020 | COVID-19: INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL SHIPPING COMPANIES AND SEAFARERS (26 MARCH 2020 AMENDMENTS) | 2020/3/26 | |
| MALAYSIA SHIPPING NOTICE MSN 04/2021 | EXTENSION THE VALIDITY OF SHIP STATUTORY CERTIFICATES FOR THE YEAR 2021 DUE TO CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) PANDEMIC SITUATION WITH THE REVOCATION OF MSN 08/2020 | 2021/6/21 | ||
| Malta | Merchant Shipping Notice 158 | EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES RESULTING FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC | 2020/3/17 | |
| Marshall Islands | MARINE SAFETY ADVISORY No. 24-20 | HANDLING THE VALIDITY OF SHIP CERTIFICATES DUE TO COVID-19 | 2020/7/2 | |
| MARINE SAFETY ADVISORY No. 25-20 | HANDLING ISM, ISPS, AND MLC, 2006 DUE TO THE EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCE OF COVID-19 | 2020/7/2 | ||
| Marine Notice No. 1-004-3 | Modifications to Instrument Recordation, Acknowledgement, and Other Requirements Pursuant to the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Act, §§103-106, §108, and §203(h), in Response to the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic | 2020/7 | ||
| Marine Guideline No.1-04-1 | Guidelines on Modifications to Instrument Recordation, Acknowledgement, and Other Requirements Pursuant to the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Act, §§103-106, §108, and §203(h) in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic | 2020/7 | ||
| Mauritius | MERCHANT SHIPPING NOTICE Ref: 18 of 2020 | Vessels and seafarer’s certificates during the Covid-19 Pandemic | 2020/6/18 | |
| Myanmar | Marine Instruction (10/2021) | Extending the validity of the certificates of Myanmar registered vessels trading in international voyages and near coastal voyages during the COVID-19 pandemic | 2021/11/3 | |
| Marine Guidance (2/2021) | Extending the validity of the certificates of Myanmar registered vessels trading in international voyage due to the outbreak of 2019 Novel Coronavirus | 2021/2/26 | ||
| Marine Guidance (3/2021) | Guiding principles for the further extension of the validity of certificate beyond its statutory maximum during the COVID-19 pandemic | 2021/2/26 | ||
| The Netherlands | - | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Contingency Plan and Guidelines Revision 8 | 2021/12/31 | |
| Norway | - | Technical Note Regarding extension of statutory inspections and issuance/endorsement of statutory certificates due to COVID-19 | 2020/3/12 | |
| Instructions to Class 2-2020 rev.4 | COVID-19 - Extension of certificates and vessel instructions | 2021/12/17 | ||
| Instructions to Class 3-2020 | COVID-19 - Verification of safety management systems (ISM) by means of remote audits | 2020/3/26 | ||
| Instructions to Class 6-2020 rev.2 | Further extensions of statutory surveys and completion of renewal surveys by means of alternative methods due to COVID-19 | 2021/12/17 | ||
| Oman | Maritime Circular No.6/Add.1 | COVID-19 pandemic - Relaxation measures for ship's statutory survey and certification services | 2020/7/6 | |
| Palau | Marine Circular 187.1 Rev.03/2020 | HANDLING THE VALIDITY OF SHIP CERTIFICATES DUE TO COVID-19 | 2020/4 | |
| Panama | Merchant Marine Notice MMN-07/2020 | COVID-19 Request for Postponement- Extension of Statutory Certification & Services | 2020/8 | |
| Merchant Marine Circular MMC-313 | VALIDITY OF COLOR COPIES OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS | 2020/4/1 | ||
| Philippines | MARINA ADVISORY No. 2020-25 | Extension of statutory certificates issued by MARINA and its Recognized Organizations (ROs) as a temporary contingency measure during the COVID-19 pandemic | 2020/4/9 | |
| MARINA ADVISORY No. 2020-30 | Further Extension of Statutory Certification and Services as a Temporary Contingency Measure during the COVID-19 Pandemic | 2020/5/5 | ||
| MARINA ADVISORY No. 2020-33 | Guidelines on the Resumption of Operations of Shipbuilding, Ship Repair, Boatbuilding, Afloat Ship Repair/ Service Contractors, Shipbreaking Entities in Areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) | 2020/5/14 | ||
| MARINA ADVISORY No. 2020-52 | Guiding Principles (Step-based Approach) Developed by International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) regarding Surveys and Renewals of Certificates during the COVID-19 Pandemic | 2020/7/2 | ||
| MARINA ADVISORY No. 2020-75 | Implementation of the Conduct of Remote Inspection/ Survey/ Audit/ Compliance Monitoring of Company, Ship and Shipyard | 2020/10/1 | ||
| MARINA ADVISORY No. 2020-86 | Inclusion of Outbreak Management Plan (OMP) in the Safety Management System | 2020/11/26 | ||
| Portugal | - | Guidelines for adoption of extraordinary measures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, to all registered owners, registered bareboat charterers, managers and representatives of ships flying the Portuguese flag(REV 1) | 2020/3/20 | |
| Saudi Arabia | Circular No. (03) 2020 | Special Measures Concerning the extension of certificates of Saudi Flagged Ships | 2020/3/31 | |
| Singapore | Shipping Circular No. 03 of 2020 | Impact of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on Singapore-registered ships | 2020/2/26 | |
| Port Marine Circular 23 of 2020 | COVID-19 (TEMPORARY MEASURES) (CONTROL ORDER) REGULATIONS 2020 | 2020/4/16 | ||
| Sri Lanka | MSN04/2020 | Amendment to the MSN02/2020-Revised | 2020/5/15 | |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | Maritime Circular No. MC/92/20 | MEASURES TAKEN AS A RESULT OF COVID-19 | 2020/4/30 | |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | CIRCULAR N° GEN 025 Rev.13 | COVID-19, ADVICE FROM MARITIME ADMNISTRATION | 2022/3/18 | |
| Thailand | No.0322/1467 | Extension of statutory supervision and issuance/endorsement of statutory certificates due to COVID-19 for international voyage vessels flying Thai Flag | 2020/4/2 | |
| Turkey | DISTRIBUTION PLACES No.80368960-105.01.02-E.23156 | Certification issues | 2020/4/6 | |
| DISTRIBUTION PLACES No.80368960-105.01.02-E.23518 | ( Certification issues ) Measures due to Coronavirus | 2020/4/9 | ||
| DISTRIBUTION PLACES No. 80368960-165.99-E.31822 | Survey and Certification Process | 2020/6/15 | ||
| Tuvalu | Marine Circular MC-3/2020/1 | COVID-19 Business Continuity Notice | 2020/3 | |
| Marine Circular MC-4/2020/1 | MANAGING STATUTORY SURVEYS & CERTIFICATES, ISM, ISPS, MLC 2006 AND FSI DURING COVID-19 | 2020/4 | ||
| UK | ||||
| MARINE INFORMATION NOTE MIN 612 (M+F) Amendment 3 | Coronavirus (COVID-19) - MCA approach to survey and certification of UK vessels | 2020/6 | ||
| MARINE INFORMATION NOTE MIN 612 (M+F) Amendment 4 | Coronavirus (COVID-19) - MCA approach to survey and certification of UK vessels | 2020/7 | ||
| MARINE INFORMATION NOTE MIN 622 (M+F) | Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Use of alternative measures for the completion of surveys on internationally trading UK registered ships. | 2020/7 | ||
| MARINE INFORMATION NOTE MIN 623 (M+F) | Coronavirus (COVID-19) - MCA approach to a phased return to survey and certification activity. | 2020/7 | ||
| - | CORONAVIRUS Contingency Plan and Guidelines for Seafarers Ver.1 -The MCAs response and Advice to Industry on Areas of Operation which may be affected. | 2020/3 | ||
| USA | Marine Safety Information Bulletin 09-20 | Vessel Inspections, Exams, and Documentation | 2020/3/26 | |
| Marine Safety Information Bulletin 14-20 | COVID-19: Ballast Water Management (BWM) Extensions | 2020/4/9 | ||
| Vanuatu | - | COVID-19 | 2020/4 | |
| Vietnam | Ref. No. 11/TB | The extension of the ship's existing statutory certificates and the extension or postponement of the surveys, audits or inspections for Vietnamese flagged ships in situations of force majeure due to COVID-19 pandemic | 2020/4/9 |
For any inquiries relating to flag state information in general, please contact the following department. Regarding the matter on specific ship or company, please contact the nearest ClassNK office or Survey Dept./Ship Management System Dept. as above.
Head Office External Affairs Department
Email : xad@classnk.or.jp
Tel. : +81-3-5226-2038
Measures taken towards certificates and inspections of Japanese flag vessels
For extension applications / inquiries concerning certificates and inspections of Japanese flag vessels which expire in the forthcoming months, please contact:
Statutory/Classification surveys and certificates: Survey Department (svd@classnk.or.jp)
ISM/ISPS audits, MLC inspection and certificates: Ship Management Systems Department (smd@classnk.or.jp)