Colombia - Specific requirements by the Colombian Administration
Flag instructions relating to Statutory surveys
Flag procedural requirements
| Standing requirements Standing requirements | Action by Action by |
|---|---|
| 1- Reporting on entry into Class 1- Reporting on entry into Class | MOC MOC |
| 2- Reporting on requests for exemptions or
interpretations 2- Reporting on requests for exemptions or interpretations | MOC MOC |
| 3- Reporting on cases of major deficiencies,
as per IACS Recommendation No. 98 (Duties of Surveyors under Statutory
Conventions and Codes) 3- Reporting on cases of major deficiencies, as per IACS Recommendation No. 98 (Duties of Surveyors under Statutory Conventions and Codes) | MOC MOC |
| 4- Pre-authorisation prior to extending Statutory
certificates 4- Pre-authorisation prior to extending Statutory certificates | MOC MOC |
| 5- Pre-authorisation prior to issuing conditional
certificates 5- Pre-authorisation prior to issuing conditional certificates | MOC MOC |
| 6- Reporting on detentions 6- Reporting on detentions | DO-FM DO-FM |
| 7- Submission of copies of Statutory certificates 7- Submission of copies of Statutory certificates | DO-FM DO-FM |
| 8- Reporting on Class suspension or Class modification 8- Reporting on Class suspension or Class modification | MOC MOC |
| 9- Reporting on Class withdrawal 9- Reporting on Class withdrawal | DO-FM DO-FM |
General Policy
Agreement
An Official Delegation Agreement No. 006/2025 has been signed between the General Maritime Directorate and Recognised Organisation (RO) SA, with an entry into force on 29/12/2025.
The Agreement and its Annexes “A” and “B” are displayed in Agreement on the delegation of Statutory Certification Services to Annex “B” to the Agreement.
The General Maritime Directorate authorizes Recognised Organisation (RO) to carry out certification and statutory services on behalf of the Colombian Maritime Authority with respect to vessels flying the Colombian flag, to the extent specified in Annex “A” (see Annex “A” to the Agreement).
Communications
All communications and notifications to the Administration shall be carried out via email at:
and/or by certified mail to the following address:
Merchant Marine Subdirectorate
Cra.54 No. 26-50, Bogota, Colombia
Regulations and flag instructions
In order to get updated information about Colombian regulations, the DIMAR regulations web page shall be used as reference for all surveyors at the following address:
https://www.dimar.mil.co/normatividad/Resoluci%C3%B3n
Surveys and issuance of certificates
The surveys shall be carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC).
The certificates shall be drafted in Spanish and English for vessels engaged in international navigation, and in Spanish for those engaged in national navigation.
Approval of plans
Recognised Organisation (RO) is delegated for the approval of plans which shall subsequently be submitted to the Administration for its review.
Approval of materials and equipment
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall carry out the technical tests and analyses necessary to verify compliance with the requirements of the applicable instruments, and shall issue its recommendation for approval; the final approval is the sole and exclusive competence of the Administration.
Interpretations
The interpretations of the applicable instruments, as well as the determination of equivalencies or the acceptance of solutions different from those prescribed therein, are the prerogative of the Administration. Recognised Organisation (RO) shall cooperate to establish them as necessary.
Special cases and equivalent solutions
The authorization of equivalencies for accessories, materials, devices, or equipment, as well as other procedures or methods of compliance applicable to ships, is the exclusive competence of the Administration.
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall submit, for authorization, approvals, and type approvals to the Administration, together with the corresponding compliance concept and supporting documentation. Once authorized by the Administration, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall issue an approval document and attach it to the corresponding certificate.
In cases where, temporarily, the requirements of an applicable instrument cannot be met due to particular circumstances, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall specify the measures or complementary equipment available to allow the vessel to proceed to a suitable port where permanent repairs or rectifications may be carried out or replacement equipment installed. The authorization to proceed is reserved for the Administration.
Exemptions
The authorization for an exemption from compliance with a maritime rule or regulation applicable to a ship is the exclusive competence of the Administration. Once authorized by the Administration, Recognised Organisation (RO) may issue the exemption certificate.
To grant exemptions from the requirements of the applicable instruments, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall submit a written request to the Administration, stating the reason provided by the Owner and the corresponding opinion issued by Recognised Organisation (RO).
Modifications
Modifications involving changes to the characteristics of ships shall be authorized by the Administration.
Reporting and notification to the Administration
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall notify the Administration immediately upon receiving a request for classification/certification of a vessel flying the Colombian flag, subject to certification and statutory services.
Recognised Organisation (RO) may suspend, cancel, or revoke any statutory certificate issued by virtue of the delegation, immediately informing the Administration of the reasons for such decision.
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall notify the Administration regarding the classification/certification of vessels (class assignment, alterations, withdrawals, and rejection, as applicable). In the event that the classification/certification is rejected and/or withdrawn, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall issue a report containing a description of the reasons for which the vessel has been rejected and/or withdrawn from classification/certification. Such notification shall be made within a maximum period of five (5) business days after the rejection or withdrawal of the classification/certification has become effective.
When the general condition of the vessel or its equipment, in important aspects, does not substantially correspond to the details of any of the certificates, or if its condition is such that the vessel is not fit to proceed to sea without danger to the vessel or the persons on board, or presents an unreasonable threat to the marine environment, Recognised Organisation (RO) shall immediately withdraw the applicable statutory certificates if the deficiencies are not corrected, and shall subsequently notify the Administration.
If, during the conduct of a survev, Recognised Organisation (RO) finds non-compliances, observations, or deficiencies that determine that a ship is not in a condition to proceed to sea without danger to itself, to the persons on board, or constitutes a threat to the marine environment, the corresponding certificate shall not be issued, endorsed, or renewed, and the Administration and the shipowner or operator thereof shall be immediately informed. Once the foregoing has occurred, and following an inspection by Recognised Organisation (RO) and the Administration, to verify that the corrective measures have been implemented and the observed deficiencies remedied, the certificate shall be issued, renewed, or endorsed, as applicable.
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall notify the Administration immediately upon becoming aware of a situation on board a vessel that involves a serious non-compliance, the definition of which, according to the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, is: “an identifiable discrepancy that constitutes a serious threat to the safety of personnel or the vessel, or poses a serious risk to the environment, and that requires immediate corrective action, or the lack of effective and systematic implementation of a requirement of the ISM Code.”
When Recognised Organisation (RO) becomes aware of the occurrence of a serious maritime casualty, any marine incident (as defined in the Casualty Investigation Code, annex to Resolution MSC.255(84)), machinery failures or structural damage which, if not corrected, would endanger the safety of the vessel, its occupants, any other person, or the marine environment, it shall immediately inform the Administration, and shall submit the necessary information for the corresponding verifications and/or investigations, as applicable.
LL 66
International Load Line Certificate
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated.
SOLAS 74
Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated.
Underwater inspections of the external hull of ships
(Resolution No. 0548-2026 dated 1st June 2026)
Underwater hull inspections may be authorized by the Administration as substitutes for dry-dock inspections.
Refer to the Resolution No. 0548-2026 in attached file “Resolution Nbr. 0548-2026 MD-DIMAR-GRUCOG of June 1, 2026” for more details about the criteria for conducting inspections of the outside of the underwater portion of the hull while the ship is afloat, in lieu of an inspection of the outside of the ship’s underwater portion in dry dock.
Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated.
Recognised Organisation (RO) is delegated for the issuance of certificate of exemption for cargo spaces and cargo list. Approval of fixed fire-extinguishing systems for gas as per SOLAS Convention 1974, as amended II-2/10.7.1.4; SOLAS ll-2/10.7.1.2 and 10.7.1.
Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated.
Passenger Ship Safety Certificate
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated.
Others
Grain Code
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated for the issuance of Authorization Document for the Carriage of Grain and the approval of the Grain Loading Manual as per SOLAS Convention 1974, as amended Regulation VI/9; International Code for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk, section 3.
Dangerous Goods
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated for the issuance of Document of Compliance with Special Requirements for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods as per SOLAS Convention 1974, as amended ll-2/19.4.
HSC Code
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated for Safety Certificate for High-Speed Craft as per SOLAS Convention 1974, as amended X/3.2. HSC Code, paragraph 1.8.1 and section 1.9. HSC Code 1994, section 1.8. HSC Code 2000, section 1.8.
SPS Code
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated for Safety Certificate for Special Purpose Ships as per SPS Code 1983 resolution A.534(13), as amended by MSC/Circ. 739 and SPS Code 2008, Resolution MSC.266(84), as amended.
IBC Code
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated.
IMSBC Code
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated.
GC Code and IGC Code
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated.
MARPOL 73/78
Annex I - IOPP certificate
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated.
Annex II - NLS certificate
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated.
Annex IV - ISPP certificate
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated.
TONNAGE 69
Tonnage Certificate
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated.
Recognised Organisation (RO) shall submit the tonnage and freeboard calculations to the Administration.
Miscellaneous technical requirements
Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU)
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated for the Safety Certificate for Mobile Offshore Drilling Units as per MODU Code; Resolution A.414(Xl), section 1.6; Resolution A.649(16), section 1.6; Resolution A.1023(26), section 1.6.
OSV Code
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated for the Certificate of Fitness for Offshore Support and/or Supply Vessels. Resolution A.673(16); MARPOL Convention 73/78, Annex ll, Regulation 11.2.
National Regulations
Refer also to the attached files “Resolucion_415”.
Recognised Organisation (RO) is fully delegated for the survey and issuance of the following certificates:
Safety Management Certificate as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B; Resolution 499 of 2018, Article 4.2.1.1.4.6
Document of Compliance with Safety Management System as per Resolution 499 of 2018, Article 4.2.1.1.4.1
Passenger Ship Safety Certificate as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B
Safety Certificate as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B
Construction Safety Certificate as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B
Radio Safety Certificate as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B
Safety Equipment Certificate as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B
Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B; Resolution 229 of 2020, Article 5.2.6.2.2.2
Certificate of fitness for Offshore Support and/or Supply Vessels as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B; Resolution 136 of 2020; Resolution 142 of 2020
Certificate of Pollution Prevention for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B; Resolution 135 of 2020, Article 5.2.6.1.6
Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B
Garbage Pollution Prevention Certificate as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B; Resolution 416 of 2020, Article 5.2.6.3.5.7
Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Oil as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B
Ballast Water and Sediments Management Compliance Document as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B; Resolution 477 of 2012, Article 15
Hazardous Materials Inventory Certificate as per Resolution 414 of 2021, Article 4.3.6.1.2.6
Ready for Recycling Certificate as per Resolution 414 of 2021, Article 4.3.6.1.2.6
Tonnage Certificate as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B; Resolution 715 of 2017
Load Line Certificate for cargo ships and/or mixed cargo vessels with a length less than 24 meters, and passenger ships with a deck, length less than 24 meters that may carry less than 200 persons as per as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B; Resolution 714 of 2017.
Certificate of fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk as per as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B
Safety Certificate for Mobile Offshore Drilling Units as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B
Safety Certificate for Fishing Vessels with a length less than 24 meters with deck, as per Resolution 714 of 2017.
Bollard Pull Certificate, as per Resolution 415/2014, Annex B; Resolution 849 of 2019, Article 4.3.5.1.2.3.
ISM Code
Untitled
| Ship Type Ship Type | PS PS | PH PH | PR PR | BC BC | OT OT | CT CT | GC GC | CH CH | CS CS | MO MO |
| Document of Compliance Document of Compliance | ||||||||||
| Interim Interim | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x |
| Initial Initial | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x |
| Periodical Periodical | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x |
| Additional Additional | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x |
| Renewal Renewal | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x |
| Safety Management Certificate Safety Management Certificate | ||||||||||
| Interim Interim | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x |
| Initial Initial | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x |
| Intermediate Intermediate | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x |
| Additional Additional | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x |
| Renewal Renewal | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x | x x |
| Note: Note: | ||||||||||
| Requirements of the Administration Requirements of the Administration | Action by Action by |
|---|---|
| Copies of all certificates sent to the Administration Copies of all certificates sent to the Administration | Auditor/CSQM Auditor/CSQM |
| Annex “A” to the Agreement (see Annex “A” to the Agreement) Annex “A” to the Agreement (see Annex “A” to the Agreement) |
Appendix — Agreement on the delegation of Statutory Certification Services
Untitled
See the attached file “Delegation Agreement - DIMAR - Recognised Organisation (RO) - Official translation - 29.12.2025” for the Official english translation.
Appendix — Annex “A” to the Agreement
Applicable instruments and degree of authorization
See the attached file “Annex A to Delegation Agreement - DIMAR - Recognised Organisation (RO) - Official translation - 29.12.2025”
Appendix — Annex “B” to the Agreement
Untitled
See the attached file “Annex B to Delegation Agreement - DIMAR - Recognised Organisation (RO) - Official translation - 29.12.2025”