Time has come to apply for renewal of CLC, Bunker, Athens and Wreck Removal Convention Certificates from the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA). Shipowners must renew the certificates once a year upon expiry of the underlying insurance, DMA informed, highlighting that ships may operate only when they have valid certificates.
DMA warned that many certificates expire on 20 February 2022; these are typically CLC, Bunker, Athens and Wreck Removal Certificates based on P&I insurance.
Certain CLC, Bunker, Athens and WRC Certificates expire on dates other than 20 February 2022. That typically goes for certificates based on insurance statements (Blue Cards) from insurance companies that are not members of the International Group of P&I Clubs. Shipowners with Blue Cards from companies of this type should note the need to apply for fresh certificates well in advance, as the Danish Maritime Authority normally approves these companies once a year.
The Danish Maritime Authority accepts electronic Blue Cards from approved insurance companies and issues electronic insurance certificates for ships meeting the requirements for their issuance.
Facts about the certificates
CLC Certificates: CLC Certificates concern insurance to cover liability for oil pollution damage. Danish ships carrying more than 2,000 tonnes of resistant mineral oil with carbon hydrids in bulk as cargo must acquire the certificate. Foreign ships carrying more than 2,000 tonnes of oil in bulk as cargo also need a CLC Certificate if they call at a Danish port, place of loading or unloading or the Danish continental shelf area.
Bunker Certificates: Bunker Certificates concern insurance to cover liability for bunker oil pollution damage. Danish ships with a GT of 1,000 or more must acquire the certificate. Foreign ships with a GT of 1,000 or more also need a Bunker Certificate if they intend to call at a Danish port, a Danish place of loading or unloading or the Danish continental shelf area, or if they are operating permanently in Danish territorial waters.
Athens Certificates: Athens Certificates concern insurance to cover passenger and luggage liability related to accidents occurring during commercial carriage of passengers by sea. Danish passenger ships in international trade and Danish passenger ships of classes A and B in national trade must acquire the certificate. Foreign passenger ships also need Athens Certificates if they intend to call at a Danish port, place of loading or unloading or continental shelf area. That also goes for foreign class A and B passenger ships in national trade in Danish territorial waters.
Wreck Removal Certificates (WRC Certificates): WRC Certificates concern insurance to cover liability for the location, marking and removal of wrecks. Danish ships with a GT of 300 or more need a certificate. Foreign ships with a GT of 300 or more also need a certificate if they intend to call at or depart from a Danish port or an offshore installation in Danish territorial waters.
