IMO identification number schemes (2024)

IMO SHIP IDENTIFICATION NUMBER SCHEME

(Circular letter No.1886/Rev.5)

The IMO ship identification numberscheme was introduced in 1987 through adoption of resolution A.600(15), as ameasure aimed at enhancing "maritime safety, and pollution prevention andto facilitate the prevention of maritime fraud". It aimed at assigning apermanent number to each ship for identification purposes. That number wouldremain unchanged upon transfer of the ship to other flag(s) and would beinserted in the ship's certificates. When made mandatory, through SOLASregulation XI/3 (adopted in 1994), specific criteria of passenger ships of 100gross tonnage and upwards and all cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards wereagreed.

The implementation of the schemebecame mandatory as of 1 January 1996. In 2013, IMO adopted resolutionA.1078(28) in order to allow the voluntary application of the IMO ShipIdentification Number Scheme to fishing vessels of 100 gross tons and above.

SOLAS regulation XI-1/3 requires ships'identification numbers to be permanently marked in a visible place either onthe ship's hull or superstructure. Passenger ships should carry the marking ona horizontal surface visible from the air. Ships should also be marked withtheir ID numbers internally.

The IMO ship identification number ismade of the three letters "IMO" followed by the seven-digit numberassigned to all ships by IHSMaritime (formerly known as Lloyd'sRegister-Fairplay) when constructed. This is a unique seven digit number thatis assigned to propelled, sea-going merchant ships of 100 GT and above uponkeel laying with the exception of the following:

·Ships without mechanical meansof propulsion

·Pleasure yachts

·Ships engaged on specialservice (e.g. lightships, SAR vessels)

·Hopper barges

·Hydrofoils, air cushionvehicles

·Floating docks and structuresclassified in a similar manner

·Ships of war and troopships

·Wooden ships

International fax: (+44)(0)1737 379040

Existing numbers can be foundon GISIS at https://gisis.imo.org/Public/SHIPS/Default.aspx.

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IMO UNIQUE COMPANY AND REGISTEREDOWNER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER SCHEME MO UNIQUE COMPANY AND REGISTEREDOWNER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER SCHEME

(Circular letter No.2554/Rev.3)

The IMO Unique Company andRegistered Owner Identification Number Scheme was introduced through theadoption by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its seventy-eighth session(12to 21May 2004), of resolution MSC.160(78), as a measure toenhance maritime safety, security and environmental protection, and tofacilitate the prevention of maritime fraud. Its purpose is to assign apermanent number for identification purposes to each company and/or registeredowner managing ships of 100 gross tonnage and above engaged on internationalvoyages. Additionally, Administrations are invited to participate in thescheme to the extent they desire by assigning an IMO unique company andregistered owner identification number (hereinafter, referred to as “Number”)to each company and/or registered owner managing ships of 100 gross tonnage andabove not engaged on international voyages.

The IMO Unique Company andRegistered Owner Identification Number Scheme is managed, in parallel with theIMO Ship Identification Number Scheme (resolution A.600(15)) and procedures forthe implementation thereof (Circular letter No.1886/Rev.5), without charge byIHSMaritime. The scheme may assign Numbers to companies and/orregistered owners of ships not required to have IMO ship identificationnumbers.

The Number is a IHS Maritimenumber, allocated at the time of issuance of the documents detailed inparagraph 6 of the Annex to resolution MSC.160(78) or registration of a shipnot required to have these documents. The Number consists of seven digits assignedby IHSMaritime. The label begins with the letters "IMO"followed by either "Company" or "Registered Owner", then,followed by the seven digits.

Once assigned, the Numberremains unchanged for a company and/or registered owner. When companies and/orregistered owners merge, as a matter of general policy, IHSMaritimeassigns the Number of the larger company and/or registered owner to the newamalgamated entity, while the Number of the smaller entity is frozen and notre-used.

The methods for obtainingNumbers on existing registered owners and companies, for assigning a Number toregistered owners or companies that have not previously been assigned a Numberand for communicating corrected company details on existing records, on anindividual basis, are as follows:

- a free website (www.imonumbers.ihs.com) whichallows registered users to look up Numbers, by using the available “Search”facility. When the companies or registered owners cannot be identifiedthrough the “Search” function, authorized data providers should request theassignment of new Numbers or provide corrective information on existingrecords. The website has a free user registration system to enhance both thesecurity of the site and the information;

- paper request forms;and

- a free web service forAdministrations to facilitate the provision of individual company andregistered owner data from IHSMaritime to flag Administrations in anelectronic format for ship registration purposes.

Existing numbers can also befound on GISIS at https://gisis.imo.org/Public/SHIPS/Default.aspx.

IMOuniqueCompany and Registered Owneridentification number - contact

IHS Maritime

(Part of IHS Global Limited)

Sentinel House

163 Brighton Road

Coulsdon

Surrey CR5 2YH

United Kingdom

Internationaltel.: (+44) (0)1737 379054

Internationalfax: (+44) (0)1737 379040

Web:www.imonumbers.ihs.com

E-mail: [email protected]