Modifications to ships and boats

Application for review and approval of construction specifications, drawings and other documents

If there is difference between the Icelandic version and the English, the Icelandic version is valid.

No major modifications or repairs may be made to a ship or a boat without the approval of the Icelandic Transport Authority. Examples of major modifications include:

enlargement of cargo area, hull or superstructure
main engine change
modifications affecting vessel´s measurement, seaworthiness and stability
modifications affecting the safety and/or accommodation of crew and passengers

The approval process

The process for the approval of a modifications and until it is permitted for the vessel to leave harbour is as follows:

Technical documentation -The Icelandic Transport Authority must be notified of the modification of a ship and drawings must submitted for approval.
Supervision of the construction - After the Icelandic Transport Authority has finished reviewing and approving the technical documentation, the stamped documentation is sent to the shipyard or designer and to the inspection body or classification society that will survey the construction.
Stability - The stability manual for the ship must be approved and an inclining test must be conducted to verify the stability of the ship. This applies to all ships other than open boats of up to 15 metres overall length. To verify stability manual for open boats less than 15 meters, a rolling test is sufficient.
Tonnage measurement - Confirmation of ship dimensions such as registration length, length overall and gross tonnage calculations is required if the modification affects ship dimensions.
Initial inspection - The ship must be inspected, before being put into service. This shall include the inspection of any matters relating to the use for which the ship is intended.
Registration of the vessel - The registration has to be reviewed after the modification. The review of the registration can be carried out when the vessel has passed the initial survey.
Issuance of Certificates - When the ship has successfully completed all necessary inspections, it is possible to issue relevant certificates to the vessel. A vessel may not leave harbour until a certificate of seaworthiness has been issued.

Ships with a length of over 15 metres

The Icelandic Transport Authority shall monitor modifications made to ships of over 15 metres in length.

If a ship is in a class with a classification society, the classification society shall supervise modifications or repair.
A classification society must notify the Icelandic Transport of the changes.

Boats under 15 metres

An A accredited inspection bodies may carry out surveillance on modifications.

Cost

Cost is in accordance with the tariff of the Icelandic Transport Authority:

For approval of modification of vessels an hourly fee for work shall be paid in accordance with the tariff of the Icelandic Transport Authority.
Travel costs - If an employee of the Icelandic Transport Authority is required to travel in connection with work relating to the approval of a vessel, travel costs shall be paid in accordance with the tariff of the Icelandic Transport Authority.
A fixed fee shall be paid for certificates in accordance with the tariff of the Icelandic Transport Authority.

Legal basis

Ship Act. no. 66/2021.
Regulation No. 122/2004 on the safety of fishing vessels of 15 m in length overall and over.
Regulation no. 592/1994 on the construction, design and equipment of vessels with an overall length of up to 15 metres.
Regulation No. 666/2001 on the safety of passenger ships engaged on domestic voyages
Regulation No. 466/2023 on inspections of ships and their equipment.
Regulation No. 189/1994 on the rescue and safety equipment of Icelandic ships.