Interim Certificates
Interim DOC, SMC, ISSC and Maritime Labour Certificate allow interim certification in their respective permitted cases, following specific verifications and for distinct periods.
Operational Explanation
Interim certification supports the transition to a full certificate in the cases allowed by each instrument. Work starts with the actual change — delivery, new responsibility, flag transfer or, for the ISSC, entry or re-entry into service without a certificate — and continues through verification of issue conditions and a programme to complete certification. DOC concerns the Company and ship types; SMC, ISSC and Maritime Labour Certificate concern the ship within their respective scopes.
Each interim records verification of the specific conditions for that issue; it does not record completed verification for the full certificate.
| Document / evidence | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Interim DOC | Verification of the Company SMS and plan for full implementation for the ship types concerned. |
| Interim SMC | Relevant DOC/Interim DOC, key SMS elements, personnel familiarity and essential instructions; programme for required audits. |
| Interim ISSC | Completed security assessment, SSP onboard submitted for approval and implemented, CSO/SSO preparation and A/19.4.2 verifications. |
| Interim MLC | Inspection as far as reasonable and practicable, adequate procedures, master familiarity and information to prepare the DMLC. |
Regulatory Reference
ISM Code 14, introduced by MSC.104(73); UK implementation 2026, regulations 14, 17–18 (national scope); ISPS A/19.4, 2003 text; MLC 2006 as amended 2022, A5.1.3.5–8.
For an Interim ISSC, ISPS A/19.4.1 expressly includes a ship without a certificate before entry or re-entry into service, as well as on delivery. Reactivation after lay-up must therefore be assessed against certificate status and the required verifications; the cases are not limited to newbuilds or changes of flag/company. ISPS Code A/19.4.1, Regulation (EC) 725/2004, annex II.
Historical resolutions support the cited provisions without constituting a 2026 consolidation; check applicable flag text and instructions. The ILO flag State inspection guidelines, 2021 provide application context; the MLC text and current implementation remain the reference.
Scope of Application
- Interim DOC: new Company or new ship type; at most 12 months under ISM 14.1.
- Interim SMC: delivery, new Company responsibility or flag change; at most 6 months. In special cases the flag, or another authority permitted by ISM 14.3, may extend it by up to a further 6 months.
- Interim ISSC: ISPS A/19.4 cases; 6 months or until the full certificate, whichever is earlier, with no extension. Successive certificates intended to evade full compliance are prohibited.
- Interim MLC: new ship on delivery, flag change or new responsible shipowner; at most 6 months. No further interim after the initial six months; a DMLC need not be issued during this period.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Identify the specific interim certificate.
- Check the permitted case, issue conditions and scope.
- Calculate duration under the relevant instrument and check the issued document.
- Plan and complete verification for the full certificate by the deadline.
- Avoid successive interim certificates prohibited by the applicable instrument.
In the transition register connect each document with its issue trigger, verified conditions, issuer, expiry and programme for the full certificate. Distinguish booked and completed audits/inspections from an accepted result with the issued document. An extension request or appointment does not itself change validity.
Practical Example
A new ship may receive Interim SMC and Interim MLC on distinct bases; neither attests that audits or inspections for the full certificates have already been completed.
The register records two deadlines and separate programmes: the SMS and audit path for SMC, working/living conditions and full inspection for MLC. Each row closes with its own result and certificate; completing one path does not close the other.
What Typically Goes Wrong
Treating interim certificates as one SOLAS/MARPOL/MLC mechanism or as attesting completed definitive verification.
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Apply SMC duration and extension rules to every interim | Definitive verification may be planned beyond the permitted ISSC or MLC validity. | Identify each document, record its instrument’s duration and request only permitted extensions without treating them as automatic. |
| Treat interim issue as completed definitive verification | The programme may omit audits or inspections needed before expiry. | Record verified conditions and outstanding activities and follow them through to the result and full certificate. |
| Obtain successive interims to defer full certification | The chain may be prohibited by the applicable regime. | Check the specific ISSC/MLC limits and plan full verification within document validity. |
What the PSCO Checks
Operational Tips
- Record DOC, SMC, ISSC and MLC deadlines separately.
- Book definitive verification in good time; an allowed extension is not automatic.
- Distinguish Code-based interim certificates from short-term documents issued on other bases.
Preparation checklist
- Specific certificate identified
- Issue conditions checked
- Correct duration
- Verification for the full certificate planned
- No prohibited succession
FAQ
Related Topics
Certified substantive revision: 13 October 2026 · page fingerprint 9b29528f80f9