Barbados - Specific requirements by the Barbados Administration

Flag instructions relating to statutory surveys

Flag procedural requirements

General policy

Agreement

An Agreement has been signed between the Barbados Maritime Ship Registry (BMSR), acting on behalf of the Government of Barbados and Recognised Organisation (RO) SA, with entry into force on the 8^th January 2026 (see Agreement governing the delegation of statutory certification services to ANNEX to the Agreement).

Interpretations, Equivalents and Exemptions

Interpretations

(Refer to §5.2 of Agreement in Agreement governing the delegation of statutory certification services)

While interpretations of the applicable instruments, as well as the determination of equivalents or the acceptance of substitutes to the requirements of the applicable instruments are the prerogative of the Administration, Recognised Organisation (RO) will co-operate in their establishment as necessary.

IACS Unified Interpretations (“UIs”) that have been adopted by the IMO are to be applied by Recognised Organisation (RO).

IACS UIs that have been submitted to the IMO, but which have not been reviewed or adopted by IMO, can be applied by Recognised Organisation (RO), unless otherwise advised by the Administration.

IACS UIs that have been submitted to and rejected by the IMO may be considered by the Administration on a case-by-case basis for application by Recognised Organisation (RO). Application of such UIs will be referenced in a Bulletin issued by the Administration.

IACS UIs that have not been submitted to the IMO, but have been adopted and published by IACS, can be applied by Recognised Organisation (RO), unless otherwise advised by the Administration.

Exemptions, deviations and equivalent solutions

(Refer to §5.3 of Agreement in Agreement governing the delegation of statutory certification services)

Refer also to Bulletin 008 for Permits, Permanent Exemptions and Equivalences.

Exemptions and deviations from, and equivalents to, the requirements of the applicable instruments are the sole prerogative of the Administration and must be approved by the Administration prior to issuance.

Recognised Organisation (RO) has no power to grant exemptions, issue exemption certificates or waive statutory requirements in respect of statutory certification and services provided under the Agreement, unless specified in the Annex or otherwise instructed by Administration.

Exemptions from the requirements of the applicable instruments shall be authorised by the Administration in writing. All exemption requests are to be submitted to the Administration by Recognised Organisation (RO) who shall assess the request and make a clear recommendation to the Administration on acceptance or rejection of the requested exemption.

The assessment shall consider:

• the provisions of the applicable international Convention, Code or other relevant instrument;

• any relevant Administration information or guidance;

• the reason and justification for the requested exemption; and

• the urgency of the situation.

In urgent cases and out of office hours, Recognised Organisation (RO) or its attending surveyor may contact the Administration by telephone to seek verbal agreement to issue an exemption. Such requests shall be followed up in writing by Recognised Organisation (RO) and written confirmation of the verbal authorisation shall be sought from the Administration.

The Administration reserves the right to reject any request for exemption where Recognised Organisation (RO) has not provided sufficient justification for the request.

In instances where, temporarily, the requirements of an applicable instrument cannot be met under particular circumstances, proposals for such measures or supplementary equipment as may be available to permit the ship to proceed to a suitable port where permanent repairs or rectifications can be effected or replacement equipment fitted are to be acceptable to Recognised Organisation (RO) who shall notify the Administration of the action to be taken for final agreement of the Administration.

Reporting to the Administration

(Refer to §6 of Agreement in Agreement governing the delegation of statutory certification services)

In cases where a Barbadian ship did not in all respects remain fit to proceed to sea without danger to the ship or persons on board or presenting unreasonable threat of harm to the environment, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall advise the Administration at the earliest opportunity, after becoming aware, providing full details.

Whenever a request for classification of a ship to which statutory requirements apply, that will be or has been registered in Barbados is received, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall immediately inform the Administration.

Recognised Organisation (RO) shall notify the Administration immediately upon becoming aware of a situation involving a major deficiency or serious safety-related issue that would normally be considered sufficient to detain a ship from proceeding to sea pending correction.

Recognised Organisation (RO) shall notify the Administration immediately upon becoming aware of a situation aboard ship or within a company involving a major non-conformity, as defined in the revised Guidelines on the implementation of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code by Administrations (resolution A.1118(30), as may be amended).

The above notifications shall contain the name of the company or ship, the IMO number, the official number, if applicable, and a description of the major non-conformity, deficiency or issue.

Statutory certification and services

Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorized for statutory certification and services as set out in the Annex to the Agreement (see ANNEX to the Agreement):

• on Barbadian ships classed with Recognised Organisation (RO), or another Barbados Recognised Organisation (IACS Member) where explicitly indicated;

• on Companies responsible for operating Barbadian ships classed with Recognised Organisation (RO) or with another Barbados Recognised Organisation (IACS Member);

• for the following services on Barbadian ships classed with Recognised Organisation (RO) or with another Barbados Recognised Organisation (IACS Member):

  • International Safety Management (ISM Code);

  • International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code;

  • Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC);

  • Fuel Consumption Data Collection and Reporting, as required by MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 27 and Operational Carbon Intensity Rating as required by MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 28;

  • Hong Kong Ship Recycling Convention, 2009;

  • Regulation (EU) 1257/2013.

Change of flag surveys

(Bulletin 022)

When the vessel has been certified with Alternative Design and Arrangements or permanent exemptions, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall provide Administration with information or documentation for Administration reissuance of relevant documents of approval and permanent exemptions.

Recognised Organisation (RO) shall reapprove on behalf of Barbados all plans and drawings directly by another flag Administration or on behalf of a flag Administration not Party of the IMO Conventions.

The plans and drawings approved by the same Barbados RO that approved them on behalf of the losing flag Administration, which is Party of the IMO Conventions, do not need to be reapproved unless explicitly required by the IMO Conventions.

In cases where the existing Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) or Cargo Securing Manual (CSM) cannot be reapproved at the time of Change of Flag, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall request a temporary permit from the Administration, in accordance with Sec. 5 of BMSR Bulletin 008 – Permits Exemptions and Equivalences, to authorise the vessel to sail under the Barbados flag pending approval of the plans.

Recognised Organisation (RO) shall always submit to the Administration the following certificates, as applicable:

• Certificate of Class;

• International Tonnage Certificate;

• International Loadline Certificate;

• Safety Management Certificate;

• International Ship Security Certificate;

• Maritime Labour Certificate.

Remote surveys

(Bulletin 022)

The remote Change of Flag survey is not to be considered as an alternative to a survey attended on board by a Recognised Organisation (RO) Surveyor, but as an additional and temporary measure to facilitate the registration of the vessel, when physical attendance is not feasible.

Remote Change of Flag Surveys are Not Permitted for a vessel that transfers from a non-IACS member and/or from another RO.

For a Remote Change of Flag Survey, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall submit a request for a remote survey to the Administration, with justification and evidence. The request shall not be based on economic factors but mainly on the unavailability of Recognised Organisation (RO) surveyor to attend the vessel in a remote location.

The Administration will only authorise the remote Change of Flag survey if Recognised Organisation (RO) will carry out a physical attendance survey with the same extent as per IACS PR 28 within 3 months from the issuance of the authorisation.

Upon completion of the remote Change of Flag survey, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall issue short-term statutory certificates with the validity of 3 months as per Administration authorisation.

Electronic documents and statutory certificates

(Bulletin 023)

The use of electronic certificates is accepted by the Administration, provided that they are issued in compliance with the provisions of FAL.5/Circ.39.

Electronic Record Keeping Systems

(Bulletin 020)

MARPOL Electronic Record Books (MERBs), Ballast Water Electronic Record Book (BWERB), and Electronic Logbook Systems (ELSs) are permitted to be used on Barbadian vessels subject to compliance with the Bulletin 020 and approval by the Administration.

On satisfactory review the Administration will issue a Letter of Approval (LoA) for the specific vessel, depending on the electronic record keeping system.

Each LoA will list the official records permitted to be stored by the system and shall be kept on board of the vessel using the system, for presentation to duly authorised officials when requested.

Each LoA is valid for five (5) years from the date of issue and is subject to the vessel being managed by the Company noted on the approval document.

When installed onboard, a “Declaration of MERB” or “Declaration of BWERB”, as per the Appendices of MEPC.312(74) and Resolution MEPC.372(80), respectively, shall be issued to the vessel by Recognised Organisation (RO) upon physical attendance and installation survey.

Lay-up requirements

(Bulletin 051)

Refer to Bulletin 051 for requirements (Statutory and Class Certification / ISM / ISPS / MLC) applicable to all vessels that are to be laid up temporarily and not in commercial operations for any reason.

Technical requirements

Marine Circulars and Bulletins

The specific requirements from the Barbados Maritime Ship Registry (BMSR) are detailed in the Marine Circulars and the Bulletins:

• Marine Circulars are available at: https://barbadosmaritime.org/documents/marine-circulars-bmsr/

• Bulletins are available at: https://barbadosmaritime.org/documents/bulletins/

LL66

Load Line certificate

RESERVED

SOLAS 74

Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate

Inspections of the outside of the ship's bottom of cargo ships

(Marine Circular 02/2025 and Administration email dated 08/01/2025)

Inspections of the outside of the vessel's bottom should normally be carried out with the vessel in dry dock. However, consideration may be given to alternate inspections being carried out with the vessel afloat (In Water Survey IWS).

Conditions for In Water Survey (IWS):

• For vessels of less than 15 years of age, one bottom survey can be carried out afloat (IWS).

• For vessels of 15 years of age and above, one bottom survey can be carried out afloat (IWS), upon concurrence from the classification society that there are no structural concerns.

Both bottom surveys shall be carried out with the vessel in dry dock:

• For bulk carriers and oil tankers of less than 15 years of age but in an enhanced survey Program (ESP);

• For bulk carriers and oil tankers of 15 years of age or above;

• For any type of vessel of 20 years of age or above.

In ‘Exceptional circumstances’ such as: unavailability of dry-docking facilities; unavailability of repair facilities; unavailability of essential materials, equipment, or spare parts; or delays incurred by action taken to avoid severe weather conditions, the Administration may allow extension for the bottom survey to be carried out later than 36 months from the previous one.

The request for any extension of the bottom survey due to the ‘Exceptional circumstances’ mentioned above shall come through Recognised Organisation (RO), which is responsible for issuing the relevant certificates for the vessel. Recognised Organisation (RO) shall assess the case and provide the Administration with its concurrence, reasons and justification, and any supporting documentation. The Administration will evaluate the request on a case-by-case basis and may issue a temporary permission with a validity of a maximum of 3 months.

All requests for temporary permissions for extensions of bottom surveys shall be sent to:

• ops@barbadosmaritime.com

• office@barbadosmaritime.com

Lifting appliances and Anchor handling winches

(Bulletin 050)

SOLAS Reg. II-1/3-13 paragraphs 2.1, and 2.4 do not apply to lifting appliances which have a safe working load (SWL) below 1,000 kg. However, lifting appliances shall be permanently marked and provided with documentary evidence for the SWL.

Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate

Life Saving Appliances Maintenance and Inspections

Authorisation of Service Provider

(Bulletin 041)

Beginning 1 January 2020, a service provider, or manufacturer acting as a service provider, must be authorised by the Barbados Maritime Ship Registry (BMSR) according to MSC.402(96). under the provisions of Regulation 20.11.5 of Chapter III of SOLAS prior to providing maintenance, examination, testing, overhaul or repair of:

• lifeboats (including free-fall lifeboats);

• rescue boats;

• fast rescue boats;

• launching appliances; and

• on-load and off-load release gear for lifeboats (including primary and secondary means of launching appliances for free-fall lifeboats), rescue boats and davit- launched life rafts.

The Administration does not approve service providers but only authorises a service provider with an authorisation document, the Authorisation of Service Provider (BASP).

The BASP is specific to the vessel requiring servicing of any of the items listed above and is only valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

Refer to Bulletin 041 for the conditions of validity of a BASP.

Servicing of inflatable lifesaving appliances

(Bulletin 016)

Before endorsing or issuing the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, Recognised Organisation (RO) surveyors must be satisfied that the servicing has been completed satisfactorily. The surveyor’s attendance during servicing is not mandatory because they are taken ashore.

The servicing interval and procedures for inflatable rescue boats must be according to the manufacturer’s requirements. The facility performing the servicing must be an approved service provider by a Barbados RO, as detailed in Resolution A.761(18).

Where inflatable liferafts, inflatable lifejackets, inflated rescue boats and hydrostatic release units (other than disposable hydrostatic release units) are serviced outside the relevant annual or periodical survey window and cannot be serviced within the 12-month period, the Company shall apply to the Administration, via Recognised Organisation (RO), for an extension. “Under SOLAS III/20.8.3 and IMO MSC.1/Circ.1328, new and novel inflatable liferafts are allowed an extended service interval of up to 30 months.”

LRIT

(Bulletin 017)

In accordance with MSC.1/Circ.1307/Rev.1 Sec. 3.1.1, the Barbados LRIT Data Centre is managed on behalf of the BMSR by CLS UK that is also authorised as the sole Barbados-recognised Application Service Provider (Recognised ASP) to perform the functions in line with the current LRIT performance standards and functional requirements.

The equipment used for these transmissions of LRIT information is to be tested by an approved Application Service Provider (ASP). Upon successful completion of the test, the vessel is issued with an LRIT Conformance Test Report (CTR) confirming that the vessel’s equipment is ready for activation from the Barbados Data Centre.

Recognised Organisation (RO) is to ensure that the vessel has a valid CTR on board before issuing the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate (CS SEC) during the applicable surveys.

Maintenance and Inspection of Fire Protection Systems and Appliances

(Bulletin 012)

Prohibition of PFOS for fire-extinguishing media

For extinguishing media installed before 1 January 2026, where the maker’s declaration or laboratory test reports are not available, sampling and testing of the extinguishing media onboard should be required to be conducted in accordance with a recognised standard to verify that the firefighting media does not contain PFOS in concentrations above 10 mg/kg (0.001% by weight).

The Administration considers as a recognised standard any testing methods that are based on internationally recognised or widely accepted analytical standards. Specifically, NPR-CEN/TS 15968, which outlines procedures for the determination of PFOS and related substances in various matrices using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), is deemed acceptable for the purpose of compliance verification. Additionally, other equivalent standards such as those developed by ISO (e.g., ISO 25101) or EPA methods (e.g., EPA 537 or EPA 8327 for aqueous film-forming foams) may also be considered suitable, provided they ensure reliable detection and quantification of PFOS in accordance with the objectives of the IMO circulars.

Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate

RESERVED

Passenger Ship Safety Certificate

RESERVED

Others

Polar Code

(Bulletin 276)

The Bulletin 276 applies to all ships registered in Barbados that intend to proceed to Polar Water areas.

IP Code

Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully authorized for the survey and the issuance of Industrial Personnel Safety Certificate in accordance with IMO Resolutions MSC.521(106) and MSC.527(106).

MARPOL 73/78

Annex I. IOPP certificate

RESERVED

Annex II. NLS certificate

RESERVED

Annex IV. ISPP certificate

RESERVED

Annex V

RESERVED

Annex VI

(Bulletin 027)

Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorised to:

• Issue or endorse an IAPPC;

• Issue or endorse an Engine International Air Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) certificate;

• Verify VOC management plans ;

• Carry-out Type Approval of shipboard incinerators;

• Approve SOX Emissions Compliance Plans and issue a SOx Emission Compliance Certificate to vessels which use an Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCSs) as an approved equivalent;

• Verify attained EEDI values calculated for each vessel;

• Verify attained EEXI values calculated for each vessel;

• Issue an IEEC after completion of the relevant surveys. The IEEC is to remain valid for the life of the vessel, except for the cases specified under MARPOL Annex VI Reg. 9.11 (vessel withdrawn from service, major conversion, or upon transfer of the vessel to the flag of another State).

• Verify the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) Part II (Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Data Collection Plan) and issue Confirmation of Compliance;

• Verify Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Data Collection from each vessel operator, per vessel and issue an Annual Statement of Compliance (SoC);

• Submit data to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database.

Use of power reserve

Notification

In case of having used a power reserve, the vessel shall without delay (within 24 hours) notify Recognised Organisation (RO) responsible for issuing the relevant certificate and the competent authority of the relevant port of destination with the information. The notification need not be done to the Administration.

Reactivation

The SHaPoLi/EPL system should be reactivated or replaced by the crew immediately after the risks have been prevented and the ship can be safely operated with the limited shaft/engine power. The reactivation or replacement of the SHaPoLi/EPL system should be confirmed (e.g. validation of mechanical sealing) with supporting evidence (e.g. engine power log, photo taken at the occasion of resetting the mechanical sealing) by Recognised Organisation (RO) at the earliest opportunity.

Supporting evidence includes engine power log, photo taken at the occasion of resetting the mechanical sealing and these can be verified remotely by Recognised Organisation (RO). The Administration does not request an additional survey for reactivation of the SHaPoLi/EPL after engine maintenance.

Engine maintenance

The use of power reserve for engine maintenance depends on the engine type and auxiliary systems. Hence, if the maintenance, as per manufacturer's specifications, cannot be done with normal power, the use of a power reserve can be considered for engine maintenance for any applicable regular and irregular maintenance by Recognised Organisation (RO) when approving the OMM.

Recognised Organisation (RO), in this case, approves the use of a power reserve for regular maintenance only after assessment of the manufacturer's specifications as per above. In this case, the authority for this should be clearly set out in the OMM and/or the SMS manual, as appropriate.

Tonnage 69

Tonnage Certificate

RESERVED

AFS Convention

AFS Certification

RESERVED

BWM Convention

Alternate procedure in accordance with the related survey procedure §6.1

The Administration accepts the alternative procedure as per the related survey procedure, paragraph 6.1.

General

Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorised for issue of certificates / Statements of Compliance in accordance with the BWM convention. The Administration accepts installation of BWM installations approved by other Contracting Administrations in accordance with G8 Guidelines and Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorised to carry out type approval of BWM systems in accordance with G8 Guidelines.

BWMS

(Bulletin 032)

A test confirming that the installed BWMS meets the required performance standard shall be conducted to the satisfaction of the attending Recognised Organisation (RO) surveyor, as per BWM.2/Circ.70/Rev.1.

An effluent test confirming the BWMS discharge meets Regulation D-2 standards shall be completed in accordance with the maker’s recommendations or where appropriate laboratory facilities are available locally. Methodologies and approaches to sampling and analysis testing are to be done as per BWM.2/Circ.42/Rev.2.

Any BWMS failure must be reported to the Administration or Recognised Organisation (RO) without delay.

Miscellaneous technical requirements

IHM and Ship Recycling

(Bulletin 009)

Hong Kong Convention

The Hong Kong Convention will enter into force for Barbados on 29 December 2025.

Until the entry into force of the HKC, Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorised to conduct voluntary inspections and issue a Statement of Compliance (SoC) upon request by the vessel’s managers.

From 29 December 2025, compliance with the HKC will become mandatory for all Barbadian vessels.

Upon satisfactory completion of the relevant surveys, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall issue:

1. The International Certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Materials (ICIHM); and

2. The International Ready for Recycling Certificate (IRRC), at the final survey.

For existing vessels, the voluntary SoC shall be replaced by the ICIHM at the first Harmonised Renewal Survey on or after 29 December 2025, and in any case by no later than 26 June 2030, or earlier if the vessel is intended for recycling.

Existing SOC shall remain valid and acceptable during the transitional period until they are formally replaced by the new Convention certificates.

EU SRR

Recognised Organisation (RO) is authorised to survey vessels and issue voluntary EU SRR SoC on behalf of Barbados when requested by the managers.

The Administration requires the validity of EU SRR SoC to have a five-year validity in line with the IHM of HKC. Therefore initial, renewal and additional surveys, as applicable, will need to be conducted for Barbadian vessels under the EU SRR.

Type approval of equipment

(Bulletin 288)

For equipment specified by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), where there are standards developed by IMO committees: Recognised Organisation (RO) shall accept such approved/adopted equipment for use on Barbados registered ships; as having been approved by maritime authorities and included in the list of approved equipment.

For aquipment not specified by IMO, where conventions require “type approved” equipment: Barbados Maritime, in accordance with the provisions of the conventions, will accept equipment approved by IMO member countries, where those maritime countries have provision for approval of certain types of equipment and organisations must accept the equipment so approved.

In cases not covered by either of the above, Recognised Organisation (RO), acting on behalf of Barbados, shall accept national or international standards, or the standards developed by experienced organisations, for equipment or materials on board Barbados vessels.

In such circumstances, Recognised Organisation (RO) must submit to Barbados Maritime the list of equipment that has been approved, when such approvals are required.

ISM Code

Authorisations and Instructions

ISPS Code

Authorisations and Instructions

MLC, 2006

Scope of authorisation

2022 Amendments of the MLC 2006

(Bulletin 007)

The 2022 amendments to MLC 2006 do not require any changes to the Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) Part I, which remains valid.

The existing DMLC Part II and MLC documentation remains valid until the first renewal inspection after 23 December 2024, where Recognised Organisation (RO) will issue a new MLC after verifying that the 2022 amendments are addressed in the DMLC II.

While the MLC and DLMC II are to reflect the 2022 amendments from the first renewal inspection, MLC Shipowners are required to ensure full compliance with the revised MLC standards no later than the 23rd of December 2024.

Appendix — Agreement governing the delegation of statutory certification services

Agreement

See the attached file “Agreement_Barbados_RO SA_08012026”.

Appendix — ANNEX to the Agreement

Applicable instruments and degree of authorisation

See the attached file “Annex_Barbados_RO SA”.