Applications for certificates for Faroese vessels must be submitted to the Faroese Maritime Authority.
Following the transfer of responsibility for maritime law as a Faroese special competence on 29 July this year, the Faroese Maritime Authority is now the issuing authority for CLC, Bunkers, Wreck and Athens certificates.
It is recommended to apply well in advance, no later than 20 February or before the certificate expires.
Vessels required to hold a certificate must not proceed to sea without a valid certificate.
Blue Cards / insurance documents must be addressed to the Faroese Maritime Authority:
Faroese Maritime Authority
á Hillingatanga 2
FO-360 Sandavágur
Faroe Islands
Applications are to be sent to: fma@fma.fo
Bunkers Certificate
All vessels of 1,000 GT or more must carry a Bunkers Certificate on board.
The certificate confirms that the vessel has insurance with an approved insurer providing cover for oil pollution damage caused by bunker oil.
Application form: Bunkers Certificate
CLC Certificate
All tankers of more than 2,000 GT must carry a CLC Certificate.
The certificate confirms that the vessel has insurance with an approved insurer providing cover for oil pollution damage caused by the cargo oil.
Application form: CLC Certificate
Wreck Certificate
All vessels of 300 GT or more must hold a Wreck Certificate.
The certificate confirms that the vessel has insurance covering the shipowner’s liability for the removal of wrecks.
Application form: Wreck Certificate
Athens Certificate
Passenger ships engaged in international voyages, and passenger ships in Class A and B operating in domestic trade, must hold an Athens Certificate.
The certificate confirms that the vessel has insurance with an approved insurer providing compensation for damage to passengers and their property.
Application form: Athens Certificate
Combined Applications
Shipping companies operating multiple vessels are encouraged to submit a combined application.
Most insurance documents expire on 20 February, which marks the end of the maritime insurance year, and consequently most certificates also expire on this date. This means that the Faroese Maritime Authority will receive a large number of applications, which may result in longer processing times. It is therefore strongly recommended to apply for certificate renewal well in advance of the expiry date.
The Faroese Maritime Authority has pre-approved insurance companies that are members of the International Group of P&I Clubs and the Blue Cards issued by these insurers.
Other insurance companies and their insurance documents (Blue Cards) are approved for one year at a time and must therefore be renewed annually. The approval process may in some cases take time, and shipping companies insured by insurers that are not members of the International Group of P&I Clubs are therefore also advised to apply well in advance.
