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

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

In case the procedure is too complex and lengthy, thus cost and time consuming, this might constitute a barrier for the employment of hydrogen as fuel in this sector but basically it should not be the case although thereto related experience is missing so far.

Questions:

Question 1 Which is the responsible approval authority?

Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) and the Government of Åland. The State Department of Åland is responsible for maintaining the Register of Ships with regard to vessels registered in the Province of Åland, while the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency covers the rest of Finland.

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?

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

a - Finnish ships with a length of 15 m or more must be entered in the Register of Ships before they may be used for merchant shipping. Finnish ships with a length of not less than 10 m that are used for merchant shipping may be entered in the Register of Ships at the owner’s request (voluntary registration). A ship under construction in Finland may, upon request, be entered in the Register of Ships under Construction. A ship (with a length of 15 m or more) cannot engage in merchant shipping unless it has been entered in the Register of Ships and the registration authority has issued a Certificate of Nationality for it. The Register of Ships shall record the following: – the ship’s date of registry, register number, name, previous name(s), home port, call sign and IMO number, – the type of ship, tonnage, dimensions, builder, time and place of construction, and its intended purpose, – the name, nationality and domicile of the owner and the size of his holding; if the owner is Finnish, his social security number or, in the case of a corporate owner, trade register number or other identifying number shall also be recorded, – if the ship belongs to a shipping partnership, the items listed in subparagraph 3 shall be recorded for the principal owner, along with the holdings of the other owners.

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.– Traficom determines the safe manning of ships and issues certificates of competency and certificates of proficiency to seafarers. Traficom is also responsible for matters relating to seafarers' medical certificates and medical dispensations. Traficom's Register Services maintains a register of seafarers. 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 - N/A

Question 3 Who can submit the registration form and documentation?

Shipowners shall report ships for registration and apply for registration. In the case of a shipping partnership, the principal owner is entitled to apply for registration of the ship.

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..