An IMO ship identification number is an identifying character string assigned by the International Maritime Organization to a ship for identification purposes in order to enhance "maritime safety, and pollution prevention and to facilitate the prevention of maritime fraud". The pattern is like "IMO 1234567". The identification never changes during the lifetime of the ship and is never assigned to any other ship.[1]
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Definition
It is made up of the three letters "IMO" followed by a space and a unique, seven-digit number: the pattern is like "IMO 1234567". It is assigned to ships by Lloyd's Register - Fairplay when they are constructed. For example, the IMO ship identification number for the Queen Mary 2 is IMO 9241061.[2] "Lloyd’s Register – Fairplay (LRF) is the originating source for the IMO Ship Number and is the sole authority with responsibility for assigning and validating these numbers. The Numbers are issued from the global maritime databases maintained by LRF and ... LRF manages this scheme on behalf of the IMO."[3]
History
Implementation of the numbering scheme became mandatory (through SOLAS regulation XI/3, adopted in 1994) for "passenger ships of 100 gross tonnage and upwards and all cargo ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards" from 1 January 1996.[1]
The December 2002 Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security modified the SOLAS regulation to require that "... ships' identification numbers to be permanently marked in a visible place either on the ship's hull or superstructure. Passenger ships should carry the marking on a horizontal surface visible from the air. Ships should also be marked with their ID numbers internally."[1]
A vessel's IMO number is also commonly referred to as Lloyds Code within the shipping industry.
See also
- International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
- More than 2350 ships by IMO number in Commons
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ships by IMO number |
- IMO Circular Letter on the IMO Ship identification number scheme
- Request form for an IMO number
- IMO Identification Number website
- Shipfinder Online (subscription required)
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