CERS survey report 2025
Updated 22 July 2025
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CERS User Feedback Survey Report
Background
In May 2025, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency shared a user feedback survey to garner feedback about the Consolidated European Reporting System (CERS) and its associated processes.
Like the survey released in 2018, this 2025 survey primarily asked questions on two topics - the CERS Web User Interface (UI), and the CERS Workbook and upload process. Additionally, there were questions about the level of guidance and support provided by the CERS team, and the EDIFACT Interface.
Rather than go through each question individually, this report will provide an overview of the responses and provide a response or solutions where appropriate.
CERS System interface
59% of respondents said they found the CERS interface easy to navigate, with none responding that it was difficult. This is really pleasing, and an improvement on the 2018 survey where 54% of respondents said they found the CERS interface easy to navigate, with 10% stating that it was difficult.
Guidance
Other responses suggested it was rare to encounter technical difficulties when using the interface. However, some users noted that when issues did arise, including situations where submitted data didn’t meet validation rules, it wasn’t always clear what action to take.
Comments highlighted the lack of documentation in these moments, making it more difficult to respond to validation issues. We’ve taken this onboard and are looking at introducing an in-app easy-access guidance page available via the side bar. This would have quick tips on how to fix common errors as well as further guidance. We are also exploring ways to better highlight and describe errors on the CERS record itself.
Vessel details
One issue highlighted was the inability for port users to edit vessel details when the CERS vessel record is out of date. This decision was made as an initial step in a wider review of vessel records in CERS. When all users had the ability to edit vessel details, incorrect edits were often made. Additionally, a significant number of voyages are submitted with out-of-date vessel details.
On multiple occasions, our Inspections team were assigned erroneous inspection ‘misses’ for vessels that weren’t in the UK, because the wrong vessel had been attached to a voyage.
We’re aware that the current situation isn’t ideal and we’re assessing ways in which we can find a good middle ground.
CERS Workbook
We asked users how easy it was to complete each section of the workbook. While the results for every section skewed positively, there were a significant proportion of respondents who reported difficulties in completing the Hazmat, and to a lesser extent the Security and Waste, tabs.
Suggested improvements
Thank you to all those who made suggestions for workbook features or improvements; these will be reviewed as part of our next workbook release. We are also reviewing CERS data to find the most common and disruptive workbook errors.
The CERS workbook needs to work offline, without macros and across the broadest range of supported applications possible, which limits the features that can be used.
Although some suggestions are not possible to implement, we will look for the next best solution where possible. We are aiming to balance the benefits of validations and protected cells with file size, security and functionality of the workbook for all user types.
LOCODEs
The stand-out complaint was around invalid LOCODEs. To this end, we’ve recently implemented a ‘LOCODE Replacement Tool’ which automatically identifies and replaces LOCODEs from an approved list. For example, the tool may correct common typing errors, or misconceptions such as NLROT to NLRTM (Rotterdam).
Invalid sheets and references
Unfortunately, these errors usually stem from attempts to manipulate the tabs or insert tabs from elsewhere. There are ways to minimise the chance of errors occurring; workbook best practice is published in this CERSAN, and updated guidance will be published where relevant.
Other feedback was around invalid tabs/range references, which similarly tend to stem from users who attempt to manipulate the Workbook in some way by bypassing sheet protections or adding in macro formulas. We would advise against doing this.
Hazmat sheets
We’re aware that, while the Workbook is fine for most HAZMAT submissions, it is flawed when handling larger amounts of HAZMAT information. We have been trialling an EDIFACT[footnote 1] interface for roll out in 2025/26. The interface would allow shipping companies to upload hazardous goods information directly to CERS in an industry standard IFTDGN[footnote 2] format, bypassing the need for the Workbook. This should reduce HAZMAT reporting issues. We had some respondents show interest in this; thank you to them and if anyone else would like to hear more, then please e-mail us at cers3@mcga.gov.uk.
Guidance and Support
The response to questions about the level of support provided was mixed, often acknowledging the good support provided by the team, while also highlighting that the guidance documentation available was lacking.
As mentioned earlier, this is something we’re looking to correct and will hopefully have
more news on that front soon.
In the meantime, the guidance currently available is summarised below.
Support email addresses
MCA Maritime Surveillance team: cers3@mcga.gov.uk
We’re a small team, but we’ll try to respond asap to your queries.
Monitored during working hours.
Out of hours queries: cers@mcga.gov.uk
Monitored by HM Coastguard.
Technical queries only: cers@ibboost.com
Monitored during working hours.
Published online
CERS Advice Notes (CERSANs) are the guidance notes that we circulate on current issues relating to CERS.
The latest version of the Workbook is always available for download.
Information about reporting requirements and the relevant M-notices are available here: How to provide mandatory vessel reporting information to the MCA