Tonnage measurement of UK ships: Authorised organisations

Question

Accepted Answer

1. Introduction / Background

The following legislation provides the legal requirements for the measurement of a ship’s tonnage for registration purposes:

The Merchant Shipping Act 1995:
The Merchant Shipping (Tonnage) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No. 1510):
- Part II - Application, Ascertainment of Tonnage and Certification for United Kingdom Ships of 24 Metres in Length and Over; and
- Part III - Application, Ascertainment of Tonnage and Certification for United Kingdom Ships of Less Than 24 Metres in Length, Other Than Fishing Vessels;
The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships, and Tonnage) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 3206); and
The Merchant Shipping (Fishing Vessels – Tonnage) Regulations 1988 (SI 1988 No.1909) (Apply to fishing vessels under 24 m length).

The legislation also requires that the person undertaking tonnage measurements satisfies the requirements set out by the MCA.

Recognised Organisations (ROs) are those organisations the UK has recognised to comply with its international obligations in relation to the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Code for Recognised Organisations.

Small commercial vessel (SCV) Certifying Authorities (CAs) are those organisations the UK has authorised to examine and certificate SCVs in accordance with the requirements of the following legislation:

The Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 2023(SI 2023 No.1216 as amended); and
The Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998 No. 2771 as amended).

Fishing Vessel Certifying Authorities (FVCAs) are those organisations the UK has authorised to examine and certificate small fishing vessels in accordance with the applicable requirements of the following legislation and codes:

The Fishing Vessels (Codes of Practice) Regulations 2017;
The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993
MSN 1871 as maybe amended, (The Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m Length Overall);
MSN 1872 as maybe amended, (The Code of Safe Working Practice for the Construction and Use of Fishing Vessels of 15m Length Overall to less than 24m Registered Length)
MGN 630 - FISHING VESSELS: Pre-Registration surveys for Fishing vessels of less than 15m Length Overall built before 16 July 2007 and existing vessels of 15m Length overall to less than 24m Registered Length wishing to join the UK Register

ROs are authorised to undertake tonnage measurement of all UK ships.

SCV CAs are authorised to undertake tonnage measurement of ships under 24 metres in length excluding fishing vessels. SCV CAs are also authorised to undertake tonnage measurement of pre-ITC’69 vessels (keel laid before 21st July 1968) of less than 150 tons but 24m in length or over.

FVCAs can be authorised to undertake tonnage measurement of fishing vessels under 24 metres in length.

2. Authorised Organisations to measure tonnage by Vessel Type and Length

	All UK Ships of 24m in length and above	All UK ships under 24m in length excluding fishing vessels	Fishing vessels under 24m in length
ABS	X	X	X
BV	X	X	X
Class NK	X *	X
DNV	X	X	X
LR	X	X	X
RINA	X	X	X
BCTQ		X
IIMS		X
MECAL		X	X
RYA		X
SCMS		X	X
YDSA		X

*Note: Class NK is not authorised for Tonnage Measurements of Fishing Vessels

3. List of Tonnage Authorities

The following is a list of the offices of Recognised Organisations and Certifying Authorities authorised by the MCA as ‘Tonnage Authorities’ through formal agreement to undertake tonnage measurement of UK ships: