IMO’s identification numbers

Assignment of the IMO ship identification number

Ships of 100 gross tonnage or more, and all passenger ships 1 must have an IMO ship identification number.

This number is assigned by Information Handling Service Maritime & Trade (IHS M&T) at the time of construction or first registration, and consists of the three-letter prefix IMO followed by 7 digits (e.g. IMO 8712345).

For new ships, the IMO number is assigned at the time of registration.
In the case of existing ships, the IMO number is assigned prior to any renewal of any of the ship’s International Safety Certificates.

The above applications can be submitted to IHS Maritime & Trade (IHSM&T) electronically at http://www.imonumbers.ihs.com or sent to IHS Maritime at the following address:

IHS Maritime & Trade
Sentinel House

163 Brighton Road
Coulsdon, Surrey CR5 2YH
United Kingdom

Email: ship.imo@ihs.com

Phone:

Fax: +44 0 203 253 2102

The IMO number is shown on:

  • the ship’s certificate of registry, which indicates the ship’s identifying characteristics;
  • all statutory certificates, at the appropriate dates and spaces;
  • classification certificates, on the appropriate dates and in the appropriate spaces;

The IMO number is entered in the "Distinctive number or letter" box of certificates issued under international conventions, in addition to the call sign.

The IMO number is also permanently marked on the ship’s hull structure at the appropriate dates and locations.

Assignment of the IMO number as unique identification of companies and registered owners

An identification number is assigned to every company (as meant by the ISM Code) and registered owner (owner as indicated on the single document / act of Francization issued by the administration) operating at least one ship subject to the provisions of the ISM Code or the ISPS Code.

The unique identification number of companies and registered owners is the Lloyd’s Register number, composed by the letters IMO followed by either "company" or "registered owner" and 7 digits assigned at the time of issuance of the documents listed below:

  • document of compliance, ship safety management certificate, interim document of compliance and interim safety management certificate required under the International Safety Management Code (ISM Code) or Regulation (EC) n° 336/2006;
  • continuous synoptic record required by SOLAS XI-1/5 and in article 221-XI-1/05 of Division 221 of these regulations;
  • international ship security certificate and interim international ship security certificate required under the International Code for ship and port facility security (ISPS Code) or by Regulation (EC) n° 725/2004.

When a ship is not required to hold the relevant documents listed above, or in the case of a new company and/ or a new registered owner, the request to assign a number shall be made as soon as practicable following the ship registration.

For existing companies and/or registered owners, the request for a number shall be made as soon as possible following the new issuance or renewal of one of the documents listed above.

The numbers can be obtained by contacting LRF at the following address : http://www.imonumbers.ihs.com

Notes and references

1. Extract from IMO Resolution A.1117(30):
The Scheme applies to ships of 100 gross tonnage and above, including fishing
vessels of steel and non-steel hull construction; passenger ships of less than 100 gross tonnage, high-speed passenger craft and mobile offshore drilling units engaged on international voyages (SOLAS regulation V/19-1); and to all motorized inboard fishing vessels of less than 100 gross tonnage down to a size limit of 12 metres in length overall (LOA) authorized to operate outside waters under the national jurisdiction of the flag State, with the exception of the following:
.1 ships without mechanical means of propulsion;
.2 pleasure yachts;
.3 ships engaged on special service;1
.4 hopper barges;
.5 floating docks and structures classified in a similar manner;
.6 ships of war and troop ships; and
.7 wooden ships, other than fishing vessels.

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