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
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?
Maritime administration of Latvia
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 - Provisions of ship registration Latvian Ship Register performs: Registration of ships (also foreign) and issue of related documents; Registration of ship mortgages; Registration of ownership. Latvian Ship Register can register the following ships: Cargo vessels, passenger vessels, recreational craft (carrying less than 12 passengers), specific vessels (tugboats, icebreakers, pilots, rescue vessels, cable vessels, training and research vessels, dredgers, barges, auxiliary vessels, floating cranes etc.) and state service vessels (border guard, environment protection, rescue) if the vessel on the day of registration is not older than 23 years. This restriction is not applicable to vessels used only in cabotage in Latvia, passenger vessels routing between Baltic Sea ports and state service vessels, Ships under construction, Recreational craft – sailing yachts of maximum length over 2.5 meters, motoryachts of maximum length 12 meters and over, and motoryachts of maximum length less than 12 meters if they are used for commercial purposes (passenger transportation etc.), Fishing vessels and fishing boats used for industrial fishing in territorial waters and economic zone waters. Floating constructions (floating docks, floating workrooms, floating fuel filling stations, floating houses, cargo pontoons) shall be registered at the Ship Register, and they must comply with the requirements of Latvian legal acts applicable to ships. Registration of floating constructions made for specific works at sea, but not mentioned above, is not mandatory. These floating constructions, if the water displacement without cargo is more than 10 tons, can be registered at Latvian Ship Register basing on application of the owner, if they are completely located in the territory of Latvia. The only aim of this registration is to protect rights in relation to the floating constructions. Condition of Ownership The vessel may only be registered in Latvian Ship Register if: It is 100% owned by Latvian citizen or person having permanent residence permit or legal entity established and registered in Latvia or any combination of these and , is operated by ISM certified technical manager having valid Document of Compliance for the type of the vessel (DOC Company) established in Latvia or another EU country ; It is owned by foreigner or foreign legal entity from EU and is operated by DOC Company; established in EU (only authorized person must be from Latvia) It is owned by foreigner or foreign legal entity outside EU and is operated by DOC Company; established in Latvia Person/legal entity qualified to be owner of Latvian ship can register ownership in LSR and receive the Certificate of Ownership Please note, that Document of Compliance has to be issued by Maritime Administration of Latvia or recognized Organization Technical Supervision of Latvian Ships In order to register a ship, its technical condition and equipment must comply with international and local requirements. Maritime Administration of Latvia or classification society authorized by Maritime Administration of Latvia can carry out technical inspections.
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 - n/a
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..