How it works: Vessel certifications

Vessel certifications represent a critical framework of international and industry standards essential for a vessel's legal and safe operation. These certifications verify a vessel's compliance with technical standards for safety and environmental protection (Classification Society), affirm the operator's adherence to international safety management codes (SMC), and provide necessary liability coverage for major risks like oil spills and damage (P&I insurance), collectively serving as a strong indicator of regulatory compliance for vessels engaged in international trade.

Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance covers vessel liabilities, including cargo damage, collisions, and major risks such as oil spills. Membership in a recognised P&I Club is essential for operating internationally and is a strong indicator of compliance. Missing or unrecognised coverage often signals elevated sanctions or regulatory risk, as uninsured vessels are frequently linked to illicit trade. More about P&I insurance on Wikipedia

🟡 P&I Club not in International Group: Vessel is insured by a provider outside of the International Group. While oversight exists, these providers often have lower liability caps and fewer resources than IG clubs, potentially limiting recovery in catastrophic events.

🟠 P&I Club (can not be matched): Vessel should carry P&I insurance under IMO conventions, but no insurance data is available due to a mismatch between AIS and IMO databases. This creates a data blind spot, leaving the vessel's protection against spills and liability unverified.

🔴 P&I Club not recorded or unknown: Vessel is expected to carry P&I insurance but no valid P&I Club is recorded. This indicates an inability to cover damages in the event of an accident.

Vessels that are not required to hold P&I insurance under IMO conventions and with no current P&I recorded will not be assigned a risk.

This is summarised in the Table below.

What is an IMO Convention vessel? Read more. →