1. Purpose

1.1. Instructions to Class (IC) 6-2020 rev.1 establish conditions which Recognised Organisations (ROs) shall verify are complied with before a dispensation is given to extend survey windows beyond the three-months limit which the Norwegian Maritime Authority (the NMA) opens for in Instructions to Class (IC) 2-2020 rev.2.

2. Application

2.1. IC 6-2020 rev.1 shall apply to ships registered in the Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register (NOR) or the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS), for which the survey window already has been extended in accordance with IC 2-2020 rev.2.

3. Definitions

3.1. N/A

4. References

4.1. Agreement of 1 June 2002 between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and ROs concerning surveys of ships registered in a Norwegian ship register (the Agreement) articles 2.5, 3.3, 3.5 and 6.4.

4.2. Norwegian Regulation of 22 December 2014 No. 1893 on supervision and certificates for Norwegian ships and mobile offshore units section 41 first subsection, letter c.

4.3. Annex I paragraphs 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7, 3.8 and 3.10

4.4. Annex II paragraphs 3.1, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.8.

4.5. IMO Circular letter No. 4204/Add.19/Rev.2

5. Background

5.1. In order to ensure equal treatment and to avoid unnecessary transaction costs in connection with the handling of cases relating to actual or potential non-availability of statutory services or other coronavirus decease (COVID-19) implications, IC 2-2020 rev.2 allows ROs a narrow possibility to extend the validity of statutory certificates for a period of up to three months.

5.2. The COVID-19 pandemic has had and still has many negative effects which inter alia may hinder ships on international voyages from being inspected and surveyed according to applicable statutory requirements. As a result, NMA has received requests for extending the survey window beyond the three-month period adopted in e.g. SOLAS Reg. I/14(e).

5.3. The international shipping industry is crucial for the global supply chain. Despite the disparate nature of problems and obstacles caused as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NMA’s will endeavor to ensure that ships registered in NOR or NIS to the largest extent possible are operational with valid certificates.

5.4. To ensure that the intent of the requirements of relevant and applicable international instruments are complied with, paragraphs 7.1 to 7.5 below instruct ROs on how to deal with an application from a ship owner who require a dispensation from the survey requirements of international instruments which in effect means extending the survey window beyond the three-months period set out in e.g. SOLAS Regulation I/14 (e) or postponing the installation of a Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS), ref. paragraphs 7.6 and 7.7 below.

6. Repeal

6.1. Unless otherwise so decided by the NMA, IC 6-2020 rev.1 is repealed on 31 December 2021.

7. Item 

7.1. An application lodged by the Company for dispensing from the inspection and survey requirements shall in detail document the reasons for proposing to delay the survey window beyond the three-months period set out in e.g. SOLAS Regulation I/14 (e), ref. IC 2-2020 rev.2.

7.2. Before approving a dispensation, alternative methods for inspection and survey shall be considered with the objective of achieving equivalency with a traditional survey. For instance, it shall be considered whether a bottom survey carried out whilst the ship is afloat is a realistic alternative to a bottom survey in dry-dock or if a survey assisted by means of remote technologies may be carried out to compensate for lack of competent personnel due to travel restrictions.

7.3. In dealing with the application, ROs’ shall follow the steps set out in the annex to IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.19/Rev.2; “Guiding principles for the provision of technical and implementation advice to flag States when considering whether to permit statutory certificate extension beyond 3 months”.

7.4. A dispensation granted for a further delay of the survey window by not more than three months, shall be documented and issued on the behalf of the NMA.

7.5. When a renewal survey is completed, a new certificate shall be issued to the ship, with the start date set to the due date of the existing certificate before any extensions were given.

7.6. The installation and commissioning testing of BWTS shall be done within the due dates as far as reasonable, and if possible, carried out without dry docking.

7.7. For extending the validity of the IOPP-certificate, reference is made to IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.19/Rev.2, footnote 1.