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.
Is it a barrier?
No
Assessment Severity
0

Questions:

Question 1 Which is the responsible approval authority?
German shipping registry comprises the: 1. Shipping registers of sea–going ships (in colloquial terms “first register”) and 2. International German shipping register (GIS) (in colloquial terms “second register”). There is no central German „first register“ but a number of shipping registers of sea–going ships maintained by particular district courts, located mainly near the German coastline. The responsible court depends on the home port of the ship. In contrast, the GIS is a central register, maintained by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH).
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?
No.
Question 2 Is the procedure different than for conventional vessels? a - In any case, what is the procedure to follow?
a - German owned sea–going ships with a length of 15 m and above must be registered in one of the registers of sea–going ships (first register). Smaller ships may be registered on demand of the owner. Registration in the GIS („second register“) is not mandatory. 1. Registration in the first register: Proof of registration in a shipping register is the certificate of registry, in special cases also other flag documents. In addition to the certificate of registry, the distinctive number or letters are provided by the shipping register. The distinctive number or letters unambiguously identifies a ship and is at the same time the call sign for maritime radiocommunication. 2. Registration in the second register: German–flagged ships which operate in international trade in the sense of § 5a P. 2 of the German Income Tax Act can be registered in the German International Shipping Register (GIS). When a ship is registered in the GIS the employer can pay foreign seafarers on board German–flagged ships according to their national contract conditions.
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 - i.– 1.Registration in the first register: Prerequisites for registration: – International tonnage certificate; – Shipyard construction certificate (for new buildings); – Copy of commercial register extract etc. Some district courts provide specimen application forms for registration. 2. Registration in the second register – The vessel has to be registered in the first register; – Submission of a special application for registration, provided by Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency. For hydrogen specific applications requirements, it is not known
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 - It depends on the rules of the relevant see shipping register.
Question 3 Who can submit the registration form and documentation?
Ships owner or his representatives
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:

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..