The IMO number of the International Maritime Organization is a generic term with two distinct applications:
the IMO ship identification number is a unique ship identifier; or, the IMO company and registered owner identification number is used to identify uniquely each company and/or registered owner managing ships of at least 100 gross tons (gt). The schemes are managed in parallel, but IMO company/owner numbers may also be obtained by managers of vessels not having IMO ship numbers. IMO numbers were introduced to improve maritime safety and reduce fraud and pollution, under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The IMO ship number scheme has been mandatory, for SOLAS signatories, for passenger and cargo ships above a certain size since 1996, and voluntarily applicable to various other vessels since 2013/2017. The number identifies a ship and does not change when the ship's owner, country of registry (flag state) or name changes, unlike the official numbers used in some countries, e.g. the UK. The ship's certificates must also bear the IMO ship number. Since 1 July 2004, passenger ships are also required to carry the marking on a horizontal surface visible from the air.
History
IMO resolutions (1987–2017) In 1987 the IMO adopted Resolution A.600(15) to create the IMO ship identification number scheme aimed at the "enhancement of maritime safety and pollution prevention and the prevention of maritime fraud" by assigning to each ship a unique permanent identification number. Lloyd's Register had already introduced permanent numbers for all the ships in their published register in 1963, and these were modified to seven-digit numbers in 1969. It is this number series that was adopted as the basis for IMO ship numbers in 1987.
Unique and permanent numbers are needed due to the frequent changes in ships' names or other details. As one example, the vessel with IMO ship number "IMO 9176187" was built in Japan, has been through the names Asia Melody, Cornelie Oldendorff, Maxima, Jaydee M, Evangelia, Evangeli, Shinsung Dream and Orange Dream, has operated under the flags of Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands, the Republic of Korea and Sierra Leone, with numerous different owners/operators, and has had home port of Majuro, Freetown and Cheju, but its IMO number has remained unchanged throughout. The original resolution applied to cargo vessels (meaning "ships which are not passenger ships") of at least 300 gt and passenger vessels of at least 100 gt. This resolution was revoked in 2013, being replaced by Resolution A.1078(28), which allowed application of the Scheme to ships of 100 gt and above, including fishing vessels. That in turn was revoked in 2017 and replaced by Resolution A.1117(30), which allows its application to ships of 100 gt and above, "including fishing vessels of steel and non-steel hull construction; passenger ships of less than 100 gt, high-speed passenger craft and mobile offshore drilling units [...]; and all motorized inboard fishing vessels of less than 100 gt down to a size limit of 12 metres in length overall (LOA), authorized to operate outside waters under the national jurisdiction of the flag State". IMO resolutions are "for implementation on a voluntary basis". Although not mandatory under SOLAS, since IMO ship numbers became available also to fishing vessels in 2013, some regional fisheries management organisations, the European Union and other organizations or states have made them mandatory for fishing vessels above a certain size.
SOLAS regulation (1994) SOLAS regulation XI-1/3 was adopted in 1994 and came into force on 1 January 1996, making IMO ship numbers mandatory for those countries that have ratified (or acceded to, accepted, approved, adopted, etc.) SOLAS. The IMO scheme and hence SOLAS regulation does not apply to:
ships without mechanical means of propulsion pleasure yachts ships engaged on special service (e.g. lightships, SAR vessels) hopper barges hydrofoils, air cushion vehicles floating docks and structures classified in a similar manner ships of war and troopships wooden ships.
Security enhancements 2002 In December 2002, the Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security adopted a number of measures aimed at enhancing security of ships and port facilities. This included a modification to SOLAS Regulation XI-1/3 to require the IMO ship numbers to be permanently marked in a visible place either on the ship's hull or superstructure as well as internally and on the ship's certificates. Passenger ships should also carry the marking on a horizontal surface visible from the air. The enhanced regulations came into effect on 1 July 2004.
Company and Registered Owner Regulation 2005 In May 2005, IMO adopted a new SOLAS regulation XI-1/3-1 on the mandatory company and registered owner identification number scheme, with entry into force on 1 January 2009. The regulation provides that every ship owner and management company shall have a unique identification number. Other amendments require these numbers to be added to the relevant certificates and documents in the International Safety Management Code (ISM) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS). Like the IMO ship identification number, the company identification number is a seven-digit number with the prefix IMO. For example, for the ship Atlantic Star (IMO 8024026), IMO 5304986 referred to the former ship manager Pullmantur Cruises Ship Management Ltd and IMO 5364264 to her former owner, Pullmantur Cruises Empress Ltd.
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