Individual vehicle registration

This LAP analyses the procedure to be followed for individual vehicle registration. It contains information on the relevant authority, the documentary requirements for registration, as well as the time and costs associated with the procedure.

Glossary:

In general, ships and seagoing vessels are required to have an identification number recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and a registration identifying ownership, other liable parties, and shipbuilder. IMO numbers became mandatory through SOLAS regulation XI/3 of 1994, to improve maritime safety and security and to reduce maritime fraud. The regulation applies to cargo vessels that are at least 300 gross tons (gt) and passenger vessels of at least 100 gt. Registration in international or national ship registers are mandatory also for smaller ships/boats. Beside IMO requirements, a «Declaration of safety» issued by one of the approved classification societies and a set of Qualification requirements is commonly required.

Pan-European Assessment:

Despite the lack of specific regulation to this effect, or of significant practical experiences, early research suggests that no distinction would exist between hydrogen fuel cell vessels and other vessels with conventional power systems.in terms of vehicle registration procedure.
While some waiting time as well as economic costs are involved, these are considered relatively small and would not be a result of the hydrogen and full cell character of the vessel (once type approved). As a result, individual vehicle registration is not considered a barrier.

select country:

Is it a barrier?

Assessment Severity

Assessment

Since there are no hydrogen–driven vessels there is no specific regulation. HEPIC (Hydrogen Electric Passenger venICe boat) is the first Hydrogen/FC Italian passenger boat. At the moment the objective for this vessel is obtaining the IGF Code (International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low–flashpoint fuels). The code contains mandatory provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using low–flashpoint fuels, focusing initially on liquefied natural gas (LNG), not specifically for hydrogen . After receiving the IGF code by RINA it would be possible to receive from Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport a provisional permission for navigation.

Currently the lack of hydrogen boat/ship regulation implies long procedures to obtain permission for navigation and a delay in sector development. National regulation laying down the groundwork for the future development of hydrogen–powered vessels is needed

Once the design has been approved, it is not foreseen that there will be any special requirements or barriers associated with individual ship registration.

Questions:

Question 1 Which is the responsible approval authority?

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is the responsible authority for registration of vessels according to the law 27 February 1998 n.30 (Navigation Code). In particular, the Italian Coast Guard at the peripheral offices is the responsible authority that give the permissions for navigation (Italian Navy under the control of the Ministry of Infrasctructure and Tranport)

Question 2 Is the procedure different than for conventional vessels? a) In any case, what is the procedure to follow? b) Requirement for additional certificates and documents: i. all cases ii. additional requirements in case of liquid hydrogen iii. additional requirements in case of compressed gaseous hydrogen c) How much time does it take and what are the additional costs incurred?

The procedure is the same

Question 2 Is the procedure different than for conventional vessels? a - In any case, what is the procedure to follow?

a - According to the Navigation Code ( Law n° 30 of 27.2.98) vessels are required to register in the Italian International Shipping Register or Italian Ordinary Shipping Register. Vessel registration falls under the regulations of Ministry of Infrastructures and Transport. Italy hosts several ship registries located within different ports authorities. In particular for the recreational craft (Legislative Decree n.171 of 18 July 2005) the Italian Coast Guard is the owner of registers Pleasure craft Registry (RID). There is an assessment and control work between the technical classification company like RINA, the ship owner and the ship manufacturer. Then the request for identification to the Italian Coast Guard at the peripheral offices is made by the owner of the boat.

Question 2 Is the procedure different than for conventional vessels? b - Requirement for additional certificates and documents: i. all cases ii. additional requirements in case of liquid hydrogen iii. additional requirements in case of compressed gaseous hydrogen

b - no experience yet

Question 2 Is the procedure different than for conventional vessels? c - How much time does it take and what are the additional costs incurred?

c - No cases related to hydrogen yett

Question 3 Who can submit the registration form and documentation?

Owner of the ship or representative of company

Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen

Conventional fossil fuel, LNG and biomethanol as fuel for fuel cells. No difference with regards to individual registration. .

National legislation:

law 27 February 1998 n.30 (Navigation Code).
The Italian Code of Navigation is the main set of rules and regulates both maritime and air navigation. The maritime and inland navigation section regulates the administrative organisation of the navigation, ownership and operation of a vessel, charterparties, bills of lading, salvage, collision, maritime insurance and procedural rules for maritime claims.
Legislative Decree n.171 of 18 July 2005
The legislative decree n.171 introduces the Pleasure Craft Code which represents the main source of discipline on this matter, recently reviewed by Legislative Decree n.229 of 3 November 2017.

EU Legislation:

SOLAS regulation XI/3 adopted in 1994 and which came into force on 1 January 1996
Chapter I, on surveying the various types of ships and certifying that they meet the requirements of the convention. Chapter V – Safety of navigation, requires that all vessels are sufficiently and efficiently manned from a safety point of view, including requirements concerning all potential dangers to navigation, the competence of the crew, and all other relevant factors. Chapter IX – Management for the Safe Operation of Ships requires every shipowner and any person or company that has assumed responsibility for a ship to comply with the International Safety Management Code (ISM)..
IMO Resolutjon A.890(21) «principles of safe manning»
consists of Guidelines for the application of principles of safe manning; Guidelines for determination of minimum safe manning; Responsibilities in the application of principles of minimum safe manning, Guidance on contents and model form of minimum safe manning document and Framework for determining minimum safe manning.;
United Nations Convention on Conditions for Registration of Ships
The Convention has the stated purpose of ensuring or, as the case may be, strengthening the genuine link between a State and ships flying its flag, and in order to exercise effectively its jurisdiction and control over such ships with regard to identification and accountability of shipowners and operators..