In addition to the exisiting optional DNV ILO and non-ILO survey and certification service for onboard lifting applicanes, DNV will start a new IMO survey and certification service in the second half of 2025 to cover compliance of the lifting appliances listed in Table 1 with the new SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13.
The new DNV service will cover the following compliance requirements:
A) Design, construction and installation which includes
- Design approval
- Manufacturing survey
- Product certification
of lifting appliances acccording to the applicable DNV Lifting Appliance Standard.
B) Thorough examination and load test which includes
- Implementation of an IMO lifting appliance survey scheme in Veracity that distinguishes between certified and existing, and non-certified lifting appliances installed before 1 January 2026
- Initial, annual and occasional thorough examinations by a DNV Surveyor
- Certification of initial, quinquennial and occasional load tests by a DNV Surveyor
- Issuance, endorsement and maintenance of:
- A Register of Ship’s Lifting Appliances and Cargo Handling gear (LA1)
- Certificates of Test and Thorough Examination (LA2 and LA3)
- Factual Statement (LAFS) for non-certified, existing lifting appliances
in accordance with the applicable DNV Lifting Appliance Standard, MSC.1/Circ. 1663 and ILO Code of Practice.
Compliance with the following requirement is under 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.1663, paragraph 3.5, the owner shall implement and perform regular maintenance, inspection and operational test regimes for the lifting appliance and associated loose gear based on the maintenance and inspection manual provided by the lifting manufacturer and executed by responsible persons appointed by the master or shipping company, by the crane manufacturer's service personnel or other service providers. Records of the regular inspections and maintenance of lifting appliances and loose gear shall be maintained and kept on board. The records and particulars of inspection and maintenance should 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.1663, paragraph 3.6, the owner shall ensure that an operations manual for each lifting appliance is available on board and that the personnel operating lifting appliances should be qualified, familiarized with the equipment and be authorized by the master. Lifting operations should be planned by the shipping company and supervised and carried out according to the operations manual.
How to get the new DNV IMO lifting appliances scheme
Newbuildings (NBs)
Lifting appliances listed in Table 1, which will be delivered to or installed on a SOLAS newbuilding with DNV classification on or after 1 January 2026, shall be ordered at the crane maker with DNV design approval and DNV product certification.
The new DNV IMO survey scheme in Veracity and the associated DNV Register of Ship’s Lifting Appliances and Cargo Handling Gear and Certificates of Test and Thorough Examination will be automatically provided upon initial thorough examination and load test at the newbuilding shipyard.
The same procedure applies to new lifting appliances according to Table 1 which will be installed on SiOs after 1 January 2026.
Ships in Operation (SiOs)
Existing lifting appliances on SOLAS vessels which are included in the current DNV ILO or non-ILO survey and certification scheme, in Veracity under My Fleet – Survey Status, will be automatically transferred to the new DNV IMO scheme in Veracity in due time prior to the first Class Renewal Survey of the ship after 1 January 2026.
For existing lifting appliances as listed in Table 1 which are not included in the DNV ILO or non-ILO survey and certification scheme of a SOLAS vessel in Veracity under My Fleet – Survey Status, the owner needs to apply for registration in the new IMO scheme with a lead time of a minimum of 6 months prior to the first Class Renewal Survey of the ship after 1 January 2026.
The application shall be submitted via DATE with a list of the respective lifting appliances and the following information/documentation per lifting appliance:
- Type/designation
- SWL and outreach
- Distinguishing marks when more than one (e.g. PS, SB, fore, aft)
- Winch or cylinder luffing
If existing, a Product Certificate issued by a Classification Society shall be attached to the application for each lifting appliance. The DATE case shall be labelled with the subject “updating of lifting appliances scheme”. This update will be performed free of charge.
Figure 2: Lifting Appliance Scheme Transfer
Initial IMO survey and issuance of new compliance documentation
A new DNV Register of Ship’s Lifting Appliances and Cargo Handling Gear and Certificates of Test and thorough examination covering the IMO documentation requirements will be issued by the DNV Surveyor who performs the initial IMO thorough examination and certification of load test, starting the new IMO scheme at the first Class Renewal Survey of the ship after 1 January 2026.
Recommended actions for the owner
- Establish a maintenance, operation, inspection and test regime for onboard lifting appliances and loose gear based on the maintenance manual and operation manual supplied by the crane manufacturer. Where maintenance manuals and operations manuals for existing lifting appliances are not available from the manufacturer, these may be provided by competent third parties.
- Apply for DNV IMO scheme registration of lifting appliances as per Table 1 and which are currently not listed in the DNV ILO or non-ILO survey schemes. The application shall be submitted via DATE with a lead time of at least 6 months prior to the first Class Renewal Survey of the ship after 1 January 2026.
- Order lifting appliances listed in Table 1, which will be delivered to or installed on a SOLAS vessel with DNV Classification on or after 1 January 2026, with DNV design approval and DNV product certification.
- Ensure marking of the lifting appliance with SWL, maximum and minimum slewing radius.