• Admin
• Jul 17, 2024
• Charters

The Safe Ship Management (SSM) Requirements

Every New Zealand flagged commercial vessel must comply with the Safe Ship Management (SSM) requirements provided under Maritime Rule Part 21. Under this rule, most of New Zealand’s commercial ships are required to establish safe ship management procedures.

Maritime Rule Part 21 has two sections:
- Section one covers SOLAS ships and ships of 45 meters or more in length that proceed beyond restricted limits.
- Section two covers ships which do not proceed beyond restricted limits, fishing ships, and ships of less than 45 meters in length which are not required to comply with Section one.

Gaining Safe Ship Management Approval

If you operate a New Zealand flagged commercial vessel that is required to have safe ship management procedures, follow these steps to get a vessel’s safe ship management certificate:

1. Decide if your vessel is (or will be) used for fishing, passengers, non-passengers, or a combination of these.
2. Choose your safe ship management company.
3. Discuss the scope of your operation with your safe ship management company.
4. Draw up and sign a contract (membership document) with your safe ship management company.
5. Determine if your vessel is yet to be built or an existing vessel.
   - For a new build, get design approval from one of Maritime New Zealand’s approved design companies and build the vessel under the supervision of one of Maritime New Zealand’s recognized surveyors.
   - For an existing vessel, find out if it has design approval. If the design has already been approved, get a letter from an approved safe ship management company stating design approval is not required. Otherwise, get design approval from one of Maritime New Zealand’s approved design companies. Following design approval, present your vessel for initial inspection by one of Maritime New Zealand’s recognized surveyors.
6. Your safe ship management company needs to get an MSA number for your vessel.
7. Obtain all the required certificates for your vessel and register your vessel nationally if applicable.
8. Correct all deficiencies and get a fit-for-purpose document.
9. Get approval for your safe ship management manual and maintenance plan.
10. Address all health and safety requirements.
11. Get your three-month exemption certificate.
12. Begin operating commercially. During this time, ensure your safe ship management manual is made ship-specific.
13. Present your vessel for an initial audit well before the expiry of your exemption certificate.
14. Attend to any corrective actions arising from the audit within agreed time frames and before your exemption certificate expires.
15. Get your safe ship management certificate.
16. Display your safe ship management certificate on your vessel.

For further information, you can contact Maritime New Zealand’s Technical Trainer, Safety Management Systems via email at ssm@maritimenz.govt.nz or visit the Maritime New Zealand website.