Stage 1: the "blue card"

 
What is a "blue card"?

• A document issued by the Club confirming that insurance is in place which meets the requirements of the Convention.

What do I do with the blue card?

• Send it to the authorities of the state which is issuing the Certificate.

Do I need to request the Club to provide a blue card?

• Yes. Members are required to submit an application form. This is necessary to ensure that the vessel needs a Certificate and that the information contained in the blue card is correct. Members who require a blue card for the next insurance year must first
     agree renewal terms so that the Club knows that the ship will be entered for the next insurance year, or
     give an undertaking in a prescribed form to renew with the Club or another P&I Club in the International Group.

How are they issued?

• They are sent out electronically, unless members specifically require a hard copy.

Is it only P&I Clubs in the International Group that can issue blue cards?

• No, other insurers or providers of financial security can issue blue cards as long as they are acceptable to the issuing authority.

What does the blue card look like?

• The blue card follows the same format used for CLC blue cards issued for tankers.

What information does the blue card contain about the ship?

• The ship name, distinctive number or letters, port of registry & IMO number.

What information does the blue card contain about the registered owners?

• The name and full address of the principal place of business of the registered owner. The registered office will be used as the principal place of business unless members provide an alternative address.

Stage 2: the Certificate

 
If the ship flies the flag of a State Party to the Convention

• apply to the authorities of that state; members should contact their flag state authority for information about the procedures to be followed. Contact details and other information are available in the Members State information section.

If the ship does not fly the flag of a State Party

• apply to a state which is party and willing to issue Certificates.

If the ship flies the flag of a state where the Convention has been ratified but not yet come into force

• Some states are in the process of ratifying the convention.  The convention will come into force three months after the date of ratification. There is a risk that certificates issued by such states will not be recognised as valid until the date when convention enters into force. Members whose vessels fly the flag of a state where the Convention has been ratified but not yet come into force will probably need to obtain a certificate from a state where the convention is in force in order to ensure compliance during the three month period between ratification and entry into force.  Club cover may otherwise be prejudiced if  the vessel is detained or fined.

Which states have agreed to issue blue cards to ships not on their register?

• Bahamas, Cook Islands, Jamaica, Liberia, Norway, Panama, Samoa, Sierra Leone, UK (including Isle of Man), Vanuatu and Cyprus will issue certificates to vessels registered in states which are not party to the Convention. For more details see Circulars dated 29 August and 3 October and Bunkers Bulletin - Member State information.

What does the Certificate look like?

• The form is prescribed in the Convention.