In addition to the existing class notations for anchor handling equipment, DNV has provided a new survey and certification service to ensure compliance of anchor handling equipment (i.e. anchor handling winches, associated equipment and loose gear) with the new SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13 and Guideline MSC.1/Circ.1662.

The new DNV service will cover the following:

A) Design, construction and installation of new anchor handling winches and associated equipment, which includes:

  • Design approval
  • Manufacturing survey
  • Product certification.

B) Thorough examination and test, which includes:

  • Implementation of survey scheme for certified and non-certified anchor handling equipment 
  • Initial, annual and 5-yearly surveys performed by a DNV Surveyor
  • Issuance and endorsement of:
    • “Certificate of test and thorough examination of anchor handling equipment “ (AHW) for certified equipment, or
    • “Factual statement of test and thorough examination of non-certified anchor handling equipment installed before 01.01.2026” (AHWF) for non-certified equipment.

Requirements relating to operations onboard (responsibility of the owner):

C) Maintenance, operation, inspection and testing

  • To ensure compliance with SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13.3 and MSC.1/Circ.1662, paragraph 3.5, the owner shall implement and perform regular maintenance, inspection and operational test regimes for the anchor handling equipment (incl. loose gear) based on the maintenance and inspection manual provided by the manufacturer, industry standards and guidelines, classification society requirements and recommendations acceptable to the Administration. It shall be executed by responsible persons appointed by the master or company, by the manufacturer's service personnel or other service providers. Records of the regular inspections and maintenance shall be maintained and kept on board. The records and particulars of inspection and maintenance may be documented in any convenient form, with each entry containing the necessary information, being clearly legible and authenticated by a responsible person. Any manufacturer recommendations for such inspection and maintenance records should be used.
  • For compliance with SOLAS Reg. II-1/3-13.3 and MSC.1/Circ.1662, paragraph 3.6, the owner shall ensure that an operations manual for each anchor handling equipment is available on board and that the personnel operating anchor handling equipment should be qualified, familiarized with the equipment and authorized by the master. Anchor handling operations should be planned, supervised and carried out according to the operations manual.

How to get the new DNV scheme

Newbuildings

Anchor handling equipment which will be delivered to or installed on a SOLAS newbuilding on or after 1 January 2026, shall be ordered with DNV product certification.

The new DNV AHW scheme in Veracity and the associated “Certificate of Test and Thorough Examination of Anchor Handling Equipment” will be provided upon successful initial test and thorough examination at the newbuilding shipyard.

The same procedure applies to new anchor handling equipment that will be installed on existing vessels after 1 January 2026.

Fleet in Service (existing vessels)

DNV has issued a retroactive requirement (RR) to inform shipowners about the new requirements and to request owners to submit the relevant documentation via DATE for the anchor handling equipment for the affected vessel. The following shall be submitted:

  • Register of loose gear 
  • Operation manual (for anchor handling winch) 
  • Maintenance manual (for anchor handling winch) 
  • Test records 
  • Maintenance records 
  • Test procedures (covering scope of SOLAS Guidelines 1662) 
  • If Product Certificate(s) issued by a Classification Society exists for the equipment, please provide.

DNVs new electronic compliance documents for anchor handling winches and associated equipment (AHW/AHWF) will state compliance with the IMO requirements and be listed as a “certificate” in Fleet Status on Veracity. 

The surveys required for the implementation of the new scheme will be visible under Survey Status in the Fleet Status portal, aligned with the upcoming main class renewal survey window.

If a finding is observed and reported, it will be linked to a “Remark”, which is visible in Fleet Status, relating to the AHW/AHWF certificate. The remark will clarify whether the equipment may be used or not (depending on criticality of the finding/deficiency). An overdue remark or overdue survey shall lead to suspended use of the equipment, but not to suspension of the vessel nor to prevention of the endorsement of a statutory certificate enforcing the circular. 

The scope of periodical surveys and tests are similar to the requirements for the current class notation qualifier “Anchor handling” or “AHTS”. SOLAS vessels that have the current DNV Offshore Service Vessel(Anchor handling) or (AHTS) notation in Veracity under My Fleet – Survey Status, may get the AHW scheme.

For existing anchor handling equipment on SOLAS vessels that do not have the class notation in Veracity under My Fleet – Survey Status, or otherwise certified anchor handling equipment, will get the AHWF scheme. 

Figure 1: Overview of schemes depending on certification of equipment

Figure 2: Overview of schemes depending on certification of equipment

Actions for the owner

  • Ensure a maintenance, operation, inspection and test regime for onboard anchor handling equipment and loose gear is established based on the maintenance manual and operation manual supplied by the manufacturer. Where maintenance manuals and operations manuals for existing anchor handling equipment are not available from the manufacturer, these may be provided/created by competent third parties.
  • Request new scheme and provide documentation well in advance of main class survey.
  • Order anchor handling equipment that will be delivered to or installed on a SOLAS vessel on or after 1 January 2026 with DNV product certification.