CIRCULAR

PRESCRIBING REGISTRATION OF INLAND WATERWAY SHIPS

Pursuant to the Law on Inland Waterway Transport dated June 15, 2004;

Pursuant to the Law on amendments to the Law on Inland Waterway Transport dated June 17, 2014;

Pursuant to the Law on Quality of Goods and Products dated November 21, 2007;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 107/2012/ND-CP dated December 20, 2012 defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

At the request of the Director of Science and Technology Department, and of Director of Vietnam Register;

The Minister of Transport promulgates a Circular prescribing the registration of inland waterway ships.

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GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope

1. This Circular provides regulations on registration of inland waterway ships and organization of implementation thereof.

2. This Circular does not apply to:

a) Inland waterway ships used in performing national defense and security duties, fishing ships;

b) Non-motorized inland waterway ships with gross deadweight of up to 15 tonnes or carrying 12 persons or less;

c) Inland waterway ships with the main engine power of less than 5 HP and carrying less than 5 persons;

d) Rafts.

Article 2. Regulated entities

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Article 3. Definitions

For the purpose of this Circular, the terms below are construed as follows:

1. “industrial product" means any material, machinery or equipment piece used in building, modification or repair of, or installed on, inland waterway ships.

2. “survey stamp” means a stamp placed on the inland waterway ship which has been certified by the registration agency to meet technical quality and safety, and environmental protection standards.

3. “design documents” include the design documents for building, modification or repair of newly-built, modified, repaired and imported ships, design documents for documentation of the ship imported or built without the supervision of registration office, design documents for industrial products, representative sample design documents, or design documents for conversion of a seagoing vessel into an inland waterway ship.

4. “guidance documents” include the notice of ship stability to the master, ship oil pollution emergency plan and shipboard marine emergency plan for noxious liquid substances.

5. “ representative sample duplication and appraisal” means the act of duplicating and appraising a design on the basis of an appraised design of representative sample.

Chapter II

REGISTRATION OF INLAND WATERWAY SHIPS

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1. Appraise design documents and guidance documents of the ship.

2. Carry out inspection of the satisfaction of technical safety and quality, and environmental protection requirements (hereinafter referred to as “inspection” and issue the certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and quality, and environmental protection requirements to the imported inland waterway ship.

3. Carry out inspection and issue certificate to industrial products.

4. Carry out inspection and issue certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements to a new, modified or repaired ship.

5. Carry out inspection and issue certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements to an inland waterway ship during its operation.

6. Measure and determine the deadweight tonnage and tonnage of the ship.

7. Measure and examine freeboard and draught of the ship.

8. Duplicate and appraise representative sample; appraise building design and as-built design of the ship.

Article 5. Grounds for assessing technical safety and quality and environmental protection of inland waterway ships and industrial products

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Article 6. Types of inspection of inland waterway ships

1. Types of inspection of inland waterway ships include:

a) Initial inspection, including: inspection of new ships, inspection of imported ships, and inspection of ship undergoing initial administrative registration;

b) Regular inspection, including: periodical inspection, annual inspection, docking inspection and intermediate inspection;

c) Ad hoc inspection which will be carried out in accordance with legislative documents, technical regulations and standards specified in Appendix I enclosed herewith.

2. Contents of and periods for carrying out types of inspections shall comply with the legislative documents, technical regulations and standards specified in Appendix I enclosed herewith.

Article 7. Rules for inspection and issuance of certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements to inland waterway ships

1. An inland waterway ship shall be undergone initial inspection and issued with certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements before administrative registration procedures for the ship are carried out.

2. The registration agency that is sufficiently competent to manage the area where the building, modification or repair of an inland waterway ship is carried out shall carry out inspection and issue certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements to that ship.

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4. Registration agencies shall only carry out inspection and issue certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements to inland waterway ships within their competence and assigned management areas.

Chapter III

PROCEDURES FOR APPRAISAL OF DESIGN DOCUMENTS AND GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS; INSPECTION AND ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF SATISFACTION OF TECHNICAL SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR INLAND WATERWAY SHIPS; INSPECTION AND ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF SATISFACTION OF TECHNICAL SAFETY AND QUALITY FOR INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

Article 8. Application for appraisal of design documents and guidance documents

1. An application for appraisal of design documents for building, modification, repair or documentation of a ship includes:

a) 01 original of the application form for appraisal of design documents made according to form in Appendix II enclosed herewith;

b) 03 originals of design documents, including spreadsheet, drawings, notes and technical documents (if any) as prescribed in technical regulations and standards for the ship. If design documents are prepared by a foreign design unit or the ship owner is a foreigner or the ship is built in Vietnam for export, notes and spreadsheet must be prepared in Vietnamese, or in English and accompanied with their Vietnamese translations, but drawings may be prepared in either Vietnamese or English;

c) With regard to design documents for documentation of a ship built abroad without the supervision of the registration agency, in addition to the documents specified in Point a, Point b of this Clause, the following document is required: The shipbuilding contract or other documents proving the lawful ownership of the shipowner who shall take legal responsibility for the legality of his ship.

2. An application for appraisal of representative sample design documents includes:

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b) 03 originals of design documents, including spreadsheet, drawings, and notes as prescribed in technical regulations and standards for the ship.

3. With regard to representative sample duplication and appraisal, the application shall include 01 original of the application form for approval for use of representative sample of an inland waterway ship made according to form in Appendix IV enclosed herewith.

4. An application for appraisal of design documents of an imported ship includes:

a) 01 original of the application form for appraisal of design documents made according to form in Appendix II enclosed herewith;

b) 03 originals of design documents, including spreadsheet, drawings, notes and technical documents (if any) as prescribed in technical regulations and standards for the ship and any technical documents issued to the ship by foreign organizations. Notes and spreadsheet included in the design documents must be prepared in Vietnamese, or in English and accompanied with their Vietnamese translations, but drawings included therein may be prepared in either Vietnamese or English;

c) Documents determining the ship’s age;

d) The customs declaration for import (if the ship has been imported to Vietnam).

5. An application for appraisal of design documents for an industrial product includes:

a) If the industrial product is produced or manufactured domestically, the application includes: 01 original of the application form for appraisal of design documents made according to form in Appendix II enclosed herewith; 03 originals of design documents, including spreadsheet, drawings, notes and technical documents (if any) as prescribed in technical regulations and standards for the industrial product;

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6. An application for appraisal of design documents for conversion of a seagoing vessel into an inland waterway ship includes:

a) 01 original of the application form for appraisal of design documents made according to form in Appendix II enclosed herewith;

b) 03 originals of design documents, including spreadsheet, drawings, notes and technical documents (if any) as prescribed in technical regulations and standards for the ship.

7. An application for appraisal of guidance documents includes:

a) 01 original of the application form for appraisal of guidance documents made according to form in Appendix II enclosed herewith;

b) 03 originals of guidance documents.

Article 9. Procedures for appraisal of design documents and guidance documents

1. The applicant shall prepare and send 01 application directly, or by post, or by any other appropriate form, to Vietnam Register or its authorized registration agency.

2. Vietnam Register or its authorized registration agency shall receive and examine the application, and, in case of inadequate application, instruct the applicant to complete the application within the same working day if it is submitted directly or within 02 (two) working days if it is submitted by post or in any other appropriate form, or, in case of adequate application, give an appointment for returning application processing result.

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4. Within 02 working days from the receipt of design documents of which unsatisfactory contents have been remedied as notified, Vietnam Register or its authorized registration agency shall complete the appraisal and issue certificate of design appraisal as prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article, if design documents are satisfactory, or give a written notification to the applicant for remedying, if design documents are unsatisfactory.

5. The applicant for appraisal of design documents/guidance documents shall pay fees and charges as prescribed and may receive application processing results either directly at Vietnam Register or its authorized registration agency, or by post or any other appropriate form.

Article 10. Procedures for inspection and issuance of certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements to inland waterway ships

1. The applicant shall submit an application directly or by post or any other appropriate form to the registration agency. Such application includes: An application form made according to the form in Appendix V enclosed herewith (except for an application submitted directly or by call), and technical documents of the ship. Technical documents of the ship are prescribed as follows:

a) In case of inspection and issuance of certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements for a new, modified or repaired ship or the ship built without the supervision of registration office, the original design documents which have been duly appraised shall be submitted.

b) In case of inspection and issuance of certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements for a ship in service, the original of the certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements issued to the ship when it is inspected shall be submitted.

c) In case of inspection and issuance of certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements for an inland waterway ship converted from a seagoing vessel, the original design documents for conversion of the seagoing vessel into an inland waterway ship, which have been duly appraised, and certificate of deregistration of Vietnamese-flagged seagoing vessel.

2. The registration agency shall receive and examine the application, and, in case of inadequate application, instruct the applicant to complete the application within the same working day if it is submitted directly or within 02 (two) working days if it is submitted by post or in any other appropriate form, or, in case of adequate application, give an appointment indicating the inspection time and location.

3. The registration agency shall conduct the inspection. Within a working day upon completion of the field inspection which is less than 70 km far from the registration agency’s office, or within 02 (two) working days upon completion of the field inspection which is 70 km, or more, far from the registration agency’s office, or which is conducted at sea waters or island, if the inspection result indicates that the ship is conformable with relevant technical regulations and standards, the registration agency shall issue the certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements according to the form provided in the Circular No. 15/2013/TT-BGTVT and append the as-built stamp on as-built design documents for building, modification or repair of any of the ships specified in Clause 1, 2, 3 Appendix IX enclosed herewith. If the inspection result indicates that the ship is not conformable with relevant technical regulations and standards, a written notice shall be given to the applicant.

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Article 11. Procedures for inspection and issuance of certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements to imported ships

1. The applicant shall submit an application directly or by post or any other appropriate form to Vietnam Register. Such application includes: An application form made according to the form in Appendix V enclosed herewith (except for an application submitted directly or by call), and technical documents of the imported ship. Technical documents of the imported ship are prescribed as follows:

a) If the imported ship has been inspected and issued with a certificate of registration by a foreign registration agency accredited by Vietnam Register, when it is imported into Vietnam, the copies of the ship’s design documents which have been duly appraised by the foreign registration agency (accompanied by their originals for verification purpose), the original registration documents issued to the ship by the foreign registration agency and technical documents of the ship shall be submitted; documents serving determination of the ship’s age and copies of import documents bearing the importer's certification, including the commercial invoice, or other documents of equivalent validity, and customs declaration for import shall be also presented;

b) If the imported ship has been inspected and issued with a certificate by a foreign registration agency that is not yet accredited by Vietnam Register or the imported ship has not been inspected, the original design documents which have been duly appraised shall be submitted.

2. Vietnam Register shall receive and examine the application, and, in case of inadequate application, instruct the applicant to complete the application within the same working day if it is submitted directly or within 02 (two) working days if it is submitted by post or in any other appropriate form, or, in case of adequate application, give an appointment indicating the inspection time and location.

3. Vietnam Register shall directly conduct, or authorizes a qualified registration agency to conduct, the inspection as follows:

a) With regard to the ship prescribed in Point a Clause 1 of this Article, the inspection is conducted to verify whether the actual technical status of the ship matches with its appraised design documents and registration documents issued to the ship;

b) With regard to the ship prescribed in Point b Clause 1 of this Article, the physical inspection of the ship shall be conducted in the same manner as an initial inspection.

4. Within a working day upon completion of the field inspection which is less than 70 km far from the working office, or within 02 (two) working days upon completion of the field inspection which is 70 km, or more, far from the working office, or which is conducted at sea waters or island, if the inspection result indicates that the ship is conformable with relevant technical regulations and standards, Vietnam Register, or its authorized registration agency, shall issue the certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements according to the form provided in the Circular No. 15/2013/TT-BGTVT. If the inspection result indicates that the ship is not conformable with relevant technical regulations and standards, a written notice shall be given to the applicant.

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Article 12. Procedures for inspection and issuance of certificate to industrial products

1. The applicant shall submit an application directly, or by post or any other appropriate form, to Vietnam Register or its authorized registration agency. Such application includes: An application form made according to the form in Appendix V enclosed herewith (except for an application submitted directly or by call), and technical documents of the industrial product. Technical documents of the industrial product are prescribed as follows:

a) If the industrial product is made using the job production or batch production method, the original design documents which have been duly appraised shall be submitted;

b) If the industrial product imported into Vietnam has been inspected by a foreign registration agency accredited by Vietnam Register, the copies of registration documents issued to the industrial product by the foreign registration agency (accompanied by their originals for verification purpose), and any relevant technical documents; copies of import documents bearing the importer's certification, including the commercial invoice, or other documents of equivalent validity, and customs declaration for import shall be submitted;

c) If the industrial product imported into Vietnam has been inspected by a foreign registration agency that is not yet accredited by Vietnam Register or it has not been inspected, the original design documents which have been duly appraised shall be submitted.

2. Vietnam Register, or its authorized registration agency, shall receive the application, and, in case of inadequate application, instruct the applicant to complete the application within the same working day if it is submitted directly or within 02 (two) working days if it is submitted by post or any other appropriate form, or, in case of adequate application, give an appointment indicating the inspection time and location.

3. Vietnam Register, or its authorized registration agency, shall conduct the inspection. With regard to the industrial product prescribed in Point a and Point c Clause 1 of this Article, within a working day upon completion of the field inspection of the industrial product which is less than 70 km far from the working office, or within 02 (two) working days upon completion of the field inspection of the industrial product which is 70 km, or more, far from the working office, or which is conducted at sea waters or island, if the inspection result indicates that the industrial product is conformable with relevant technical regulations and standards, Vietnam Register, or its authorized registration agency, shall issue certificate of industrial product according to the form provided in Circular No. 15/2013/TT-BGTVT. If the inspection result indicates that the industrial product is not conformable with relevant technical regulations and standards, a written notice shall be given to the applicant.

4. The applicant shall pay fees and charges as prescribed and may receive the inspection results either directly at Vietnam Register, or its authorized registration agency, or by post or any other appropriate form.

Article 13. Registration documents, survey stamp and control code issued to inland waterway ships

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a) Certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements issued to inland waterway ship;

b) Records and reports on technical inspection.

2. In addition to the documents in Clause 1 of this Article, the ship is also issued with the followings:

a) Inspection record of the lift crane installed on the ship;

b) Certificate of moulded volume of the ship, if requested by the shipowner;

c) Certificates of industrial products used for the inland waterway ship.

3. The survey stamp which is made according to the form in Appendix VII enclosed herewith shall be issued together with the certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements issued to the inland waterway ship. The survey stamp shall be stuck on the ship as follows:

a) If the ship has glass equipped in front of its wheel: The survey stamp will be stuck on the inner side and to the upper right corner of the glass (with a view from aft to fore) or at a noticeable position;

b) If the ship has cabin or sleeping room without the glass wall in its front: The survey stamp will be stuck on the outer side and to the upper right corner of the front wall of cabin or sleeping room (with a view from aft to fore) or at a noticeable position;

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d) For other types of ships: The survey stamp will be stuck at a noticeable position which is protected from hitting and the impact of weather.

4. Control code

a) If the inspection result indicates that the ship satisfies all relevant technical regulations and standards, a control code will be carved or stuck on the ship. This control code is used for controlling every ship and the number of ships registered nationwide;  

b) The control code is comprised of alphabetical and numerical parts. The alphabetical part includes two capital letters: VR – for the ships prescribed in Clause 1, 2, 3 of Appendix IX enclosed herewith, or VS – for the ships prescribed in Clause 4 of Appendix IX enclosed herewith. The numerical part includes 8 (eight) digits of which two first digits are 2 (two) last digits of the ship’s year of building and followed by six digits which are managed and granted by Vietnam Register directly to registration agencies. The control code will be stored in the inland waterway ship registration database during the service of the ship;

c) When receiving the notice of 6 (six) digits granted by Vietnam Register, registration agencies shall give a confirmation to Vietnam Register. Registration agencies shall use control codes in ascending numerical order. Each registration agency shall prepare and send monthly report on its use of control codes and estimated control codes in the following month to Vietnam Register.

5. The size and position of control code are prescribed in Appendix VIII enclosed herewith.

Chapter IV

AGENCIES PERFORMING REGISTRATION OF INLAND WATERWAY SHIPS AND RESPONSIBILITY OF RELEVANT ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

Article 14. Agencies performing registration of inland waterway ships

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2. Registration agencies affiliated to Vietnam Register and those affiliated to Provincial Departments of Transport (hereinafter referred to as “registration agencies”) which have been certified and ranked shall perform registration contents prescribed in Clause 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 Article 4 hereof and other registration contents authorized by Vietnam Register in conformity with their competence after receiving certification and notification as prescribed.

3. Registration agencies shall be ranked I, II or III according to their competence as prescribed in Appendix X enclosed herewith and perform registration contents as follows:

a) Rank-III registration agencies shall take charge of registration of the ships prescribed in Clause 4 Appendix IX enclosed herewith.

b) Rank-II registration agencies shall take charge of registration of the ships prescribed in Clause 1, 2, 3 and 4 Appendix IX enclosed herewith (except cargo ships with gross deadweight of 2,000 tonnes or more, oil tankers with a flash point exceeding 60°C and a gross deadweight of 1,000 tonnes or more, oil tankers with a flash point not exceeding 60°C and a gross deadweight of 500 tonnes or more, cargo ships of VR-SB class and a gross deadweight of 500 tonnes or more, passenger ships of VR-SB class and capable of carrying 50 persons or more, hovercrafts, ships carrying hazardous chemicals in bulk, and ships carrying liquefied gas).

c) Rank-I registration agencies shall take charge of registration of inland waterway ships of all types.

Article 15. Vietnam Register’s responsibility

1. Formulate or amend technical regulations/standards on technical safety and quality and environmental protection of inland waterway ships, and submit them to competent authorities for promulgation; formulate and promulgate regulations on registration procedures for application of such technical regulations/standards.

2. Professional instruct and direct the registration of inland waterway ships and inspect the implementation of this Circular.

3. Develop, manage and instruct inland waterway ship registration database; make connections for transmitting data and managing inland waterway ship registration data of registration agencies.

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5. Make certification and notification of competence of registration agencies according to the provisions in Appendix X; publish ranks of registration agencies on its website.

6. Publish the list of registration agencies authorized to perform registration of inland waterway ships on its website.

7. Inspect and supervise the performance of registration contents by registration agencies. Handle or request competent authorities to handle violations committed by individuals and registration agencies as prescribed.

8. Stipulate records and reports on technical inspection issued to inland waterway ships.

9. Print, manage and deliver written records and publications used in performing registration of inland waterway ships.

10. Submit reports on registration of inland waterway ships as prescribed.

11. Collect fees and charges in accordance with current regulations.

Article 16. Responsibility of Provincial Departments of Transport

1. Inspect and supervise operations and take actions against violations committed by individuals and registration agencies under their management. Cooperate with Vietnam Register in inspecting the performance of registration duties by registration agencies under their management.

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a) cooperate with local governments in disseminating, mobilizing, inspecting and taking actions against cases of failure to comply with regulations on registration of inland waterway ships;

b) cooperate with registration agencies affiliated to Vietnam Register in performing registration of ships in cases prescribed in Clause 2 Article 17 hereof.

Article 17. Responsibility of registration agencies

1. Registration agencies affiliated to provincial Departments of Transport shall perform registration contents for the ships prescribed in Clause 4 of Appendix IX under management of such Departments and the ships prescribed in Clause 3 of Appendix IX enclosed herewith if they meet competence requirements and receive certification and notification from Vietnam Register.

2. Registration agencies affiliated to Vietnam Register shall perform registration contents for the ships prescribed in Clause 1, 2 and 3 of Appendix IX enclosed herewith. Registration agencies affiliated to Vietnam Register shall perform registration contents assigned to registration agencies affiliated to provincial Departments of Transport at the request of provincial Departments of Transport.

3. Registration agencies are required to satisfy competence requirements for corresponding rank I, II or III prescribed in Appendix X enclosed herewith, and such satisfaction must be certified and notified.

4. Registration agencies shall arrange adequate personnel to perform registration contents in assigned areas specified in Appendix X and Appendix XI enclosed herewith; assign surveyors to carry out inspections according to the qualification and competence specified in their certificates of surveyors.

5. Carry out inspection and issue certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements for inland waterway ships in an objective manner that is conformable with professional requirements and law regulations.

6. Heads of registration agencies and surveyors who directly carry out inspections shall assume responsibility for inspection results.

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8. Comply with regulations on storage, periodical and ad hoc reporting.

9. Comply with professional direction and instructions given by Vietnam Register about inspection and issuance of certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements for inland waterway ships.

10. Bear the inspection and supervision of performance of registration duties by competent authorities.

11. Manage and supervise performance of registration duties by their officials, surveyors and employees; regularly provide training courses in professional ethics to their officials, surveyors and employees; take actions to prevent violations against regulations on registration of inland waterway ships.

12. Collect fees and charges in accordance with current regulations.

13. When receiving the written request for ad hoc inspection from a competent authority, the registration agency shall carry out inspection and give written inspection results according to contents, time and location of the requested inspection.

14. Revoke certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements and survey stamp issued to the inland waterway ship when it is in distress and thus fails to meet technical requirements; revoke certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements in case of issuance of new registration documents when carrying out the next inspection.

Article 18. Responsibility of shipowners, ship design, building, modification and repair facilities, industrial product manufacturing facilities, and testing facilities serving performance of registration duties

1. Comply with regulations on registration of inland waterway ships and industrial products herein and relevant laws.

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3. Pay fees and charges as regulated.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 19. Effect

1. This Circular comes into force from January 01, 2016.

2. Regulations on registration of inland waterway ships in Decision No. 25/2004/QD-BGTVT dated November 25, 2004 and Circular No. 34/2011/TT-BGTVT dated April 26, 2011, and standards, responsibility and duties of officers in charge of registration of inland waterway ships in Decision No. 2687/2000/QD-BGTVT dated September 14, 2000.

Article 20. Transition

1. Registration agencies have been operating before the effective date of this Circular shall continue to perform registration of inland waterway ships as prescribed in Decision No. 25/2004/QD-BGTVT dated November 25, 2004 until their competence is assessed and certified.

2. Vietnam Register shall complete certification and notification of competence of registration agencies before January 01, 2018.

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Chief of the Ministry's Office, Chief Inspector of the Ministry, Directors of Departments/Agencies affiliated to the Ministry, Director of Vietnam Register, Directors of provincial Departments of Transport, heads of relevant agencies/ organizations and relevant individuals shall be responsible for implementation of this Circular./.

MINISTER




Dinh La Thang

APPENDIX I

LIST OF TECHNICAL REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR INLAND WATERWAY SHIPS
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 48/2015/TT-BGTVT dated September 22, 2015 of the Minister of Transport)

1. Decree No. 111/2014/ND-CP dated November 20, 2014 prescribing service life of inland waterway ships and of service life of ships permitted for import.

2. National Technical Regulation on Rule on inland waterway ships classification and construction - QCVN 72:2013/BGTVT, enclosed with Circular No. 61/2013/TT-BGTVT dated December 31, 2013 of Minister of Transport.

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4. National Technical Regulation on Rules for pollution prevention of inland waterway ships - QCVN 17:2011/BGTVT, amendment 1:2013, enclosed with Circular No. 08/2013/TT-BGTVT dated May 06, 2013 of Minister of Transport.

5. National Technical Regulation on Rule for the classification and construction of inland waterway wooden ships - QCVN 84:2013/BGTVT, enclosed with Circular No. 79/2014/TT-BGTVT dated December 27, 2014 of Minister of Transport.

6. National Technical Regulation on technical supervision and construction of small sea-going ships – QCVN 03:2009/BGTVT, enclosed with Circular No. 21/2009/TT-BGTVT dated October 06, 2009 of Minister of Transport.

7. National Technical Regulation on Rules for technical safety supervision and inspection of pleasure craft – QCVN 50:2012/BGTVT, enclosed with Circular No. 54/2012/TT-BGTVT dated December 26, 2012 of Minister of Transport.

8. National Technical Regulation on classification and construction of ships of fiberglass reinforced plastics – QCVN 56:2013/BGTVT, enclosed with Circular No. 06/2013/TT-BGTVT dated June 25, 2013 of Minister of Transport.

9. National Technical Regulation on the classification and construction of inland waterway steel ships carrying dangerous chemicals in bulk - QCVN 01:2008/BGTVT, enclosed with Circular No. 30/2008/TT-BGTVT dated December 22, 2008 of Minister of Transport.

10. National Technical Regulation on classification and construction of high speed craft – QCVN 54:2013/BGTVT, enclosed with Circular No. 11/2013/TT-BGTVT dated May 22, 2013 of Minister of Transport.

11. National Technical Regulation on classification and construction of inland waterway ships of steel reinforced cement - QCVN 51:2012/BGTVT, enclosed with Circular No. 54/2012/TT-BGTVT dated December 26, 2012 of Minister of Transport.

12. National Technical Regulation on hydraulic steering gears for ships - technical equipments and test method - QCVN 24:2010/BGTVT, enclosed with Circular No. 27/2010/TT-BGTVT dated September 09, 2010 of Minister of Transport.

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14. National Technical Regulation on inspection and manufacture of inland waterway ship’s life saving equipment - QCVN 85:2015/BGTVT, enclosed with Circular No. 04/2015/TT-BGTVT dated March 23, 2015 of Minister of Transport.

15. National Technical Regulation on classification and construction of floating dock – QCVN 55:2013/BGTVT, enclosed with Circular No. 06/2013/TT-BGTVT dated May 02, 2013 of Minister of Transport.

16. Rules of transport and signals of inland waterway ships laid down in Chapter V of the Law on Inland Waterway Transport.

If any technical regulations/standards mentioned above are amended or superseded by competent authorities by new technical regulations/standards after this Circular comes into force, such amended or new technical regulations/standards will apply to the inspection of technical safety and quality and environmental protection requirements of inland waterway ships.

APPENDIX II

APPLICATION FORM FOR APPRAISAL OF DESIGN DOCUMENTS/ GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS/ INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 48/2015/TT-BGTVT dated September 22, 2015 by the Minister of Transport)

(NAME OF APPLICANT)
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SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Independence-Freedom-Happiness
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………….. [Location & date]

APPLICATION FORM FOR APPRAISAL OF DESIGN DOCUMENTS/ GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS/ INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

To: …………………………………………………

Name of applicant:.............................................................................................................

Address:............................................................................................................................

Telephone: ………………………… Fax: ...............................................................................

Hereby requests the registration agency to carry out appraisal of the following design documents:

Name of ship, industrial product or guidance documents/design sign: .................................

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Initial name of ship or industrial product/initial design sign (**):…………./..............................

Administrative registration number/ registration number (**):……………..……./.......................

Design contents: ...............................................................................................................

Used for the ship with the following specifications:

Length (L_max/L): …………. (m); Breadth: (B_max/B): ...........................................................  (m);

Depth (D): ………… (m); Draught (d): ..........................................................................  (m);

Gross tonnage (GT): ……………; Deadweight tonnage/Cargo space: .......................  (tonne);

Main engine (quantity, type and rating power): ................................................................... ;

Type and use of the ship: ................................................................................................. ;

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Design’s user: ...................................................................................................................

Address of design’s user: ..................................................................................................

Estimated place of building: ..............................................................................................

Building quantity: ........................................................  (pieces)

Applicant
(signature & seal)

 (*) Type of design is specified, e.g. “new construction", “modification”, “repair”, “guidance documents”, “industrial product”.

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APPENDIX III

APPLICATION FORM FOR APPRAISAL OF REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 48/2015/TT-BGTVT dated September 22, 2015 by the Minister of Transport)

 (Name of applicant)
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      SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Independence-Freedom-Happiness
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No.:

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APPLICATION FOR APPRAISAL OF REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE

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Name of applicant: ............................................................................................................

Address: ...........................................................................................................................

Sample-developing unit: ....................................................................................................

Address: ...........................................................................................................................

Hereby requests Vietnam Register to carry out appraisal of the representative sample with the following technical specifications:

Type and use of the ship: ..................................................................................................

Hull material: .....................................................................................................................

Design length from: ...................................  (m); to: ....................................................  (m)

Design breadth from: .................................  (m); to: ....................................................  (m)

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Draught from: ............................................  (m); to: ....................................................  (m)

Deadweight tonnage from: .......................  (tone); to: ...................................................  (tonne)

Number of passengers from: ..................  (person); to:  (person)

Main engine installation type: …………….; Power from: ………….…. to …………….. (HP)

Navigation area: ................................................................................................................

APPLICANT
(signature & seal)

...

...

...

APPLICATION FORM FOR APPROVAL FOR USE OF REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 48/2015/TT-BGTVT dated September 22, 2015 by the Minister of Transport)

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence – Freedom – Happiness
---------------------

………… [location & date]

APPLICATION FORM FOR APPROVAL FOR USE OF REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF INLAND WATERWAY SHIP

To: …………………………………….

Name of applicant: ............................................................................................................

Address: ...........................................................................................................................

ID number/ TIN: ................................................................................... /.............................

Telephone: ..................................................  Fax: ............................................................

...

...

...

Building of new ship: £

Documentation of the ship: £

Modification of the ship: £

With the following specifications:

Length (L_max/L): ……../…….(m); Breadth: (B_max/B): ……./................................................ (m);

Depth (D): ………………. (m); Draught (d): ...................................................................  (m);

Deadweight tonnage from: ………….. (tonne); Number of passengers/other persons: ……………./            (person);

Hull material: .....................................................................................................................

Sign of main engine: ……………..; Main engine power: ...............................................  (HP);

...

...

...

Navigation area: ................................................................................................................

Expected building unit: ......................................................................................................

Building quantity: .........................................................  (piece)

We will fully pay fees and charges for issuance of certificate in accordance with current regulations.

Applicant
(signature, full name & seal, if any)

APPENDIX V

...

...

...

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Independence-Freedom-Happiness
---------------

No.: ……………

…………. [location & date]

APPLICATION FORM FOR INSPECTION OF INLAND WATERWAY SHIP/ INDUSTRIAL PRODUCT

To: ………………………………………

Applicant: .........................................................................................................................

Address: ...........................................................................................................................

Telephone: ..................................................  Fax: ............................................................

...

...

...

Name of the ship/ industrial product: …………………/..........................................................

Design appraisal number: ..................................................................................................

Administrative registration number/ registration number (*):………………../............................

Contents of physical inspection:

.........................................................................................................................................

Name and address of manufacturer (**):..............................................................................

Planned inspection time: ....................................................................................................

Location of inspection: ......................................................................................................

Name of payer of registration fees: ....................................................................................

...

...

...

TIN: ..................................................................................................................................

We will fully pay fees and charges for issuance of certificate in accordance with current regulations.

Applicant
(signature, full name & seal, if any)

 (*) This item is specified in case of a ship in service.

 (**) This item is specified in case of inspection of industrial product used for the ship.

APPENDIX VI

...

...

...

TB 01-TND

VIETNAM REGISTER

No. 18, Pham Hung Street, Tu Liem, Hanoi, Vietnam

Tel: 84 - 4 - 37684709

Fax: 84 - 4 - 37684724 Website: http//www.vr.org.vn

NOTICE OF APPRAISAL OF GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS/DESIGN

No.: ……/……

...

...

...

Regarding: ........................................................................................................................

Name/sign of design: ........................................................................................................

Design unit: ......................................................................................................................

VIETNAM REGISTER

APPENDIX VII

...

...

...

SURVEY STAMP

1. General requirements

- The template of the survey stamp must be issued consistently and bear anti-counterfeit features.

- This is an oval-shaped stamp with an overall dimension of 114 x 102 mm, the inner oval is regularly distanced from the outer oval and has a corresponding dimension of 88 x 76 mm.

- The front of the survey stamp: Black words and red serial number are pre-printed on the white background between the inner oval and the outer oval. Contents other than the black words are printed by the registration agency.

- Vietnam Register’s watermark logo and digits of month and year of the next survey are printed on the inner yellow space of the oval.

- The survey stamp is made of breakable material, only used once and may be stuck directly on the hull material (steel, wood, ferro-cement, FRP or aluminum), and then covered with a thick nylon layer which protects the stamp from removal and impacts of the weather such as rain, sunlight, wind, waves and water.

2. Contents printed on the survey stamp

...

...

...

 (2): control code of the ship

 (3): registration number of the ship

 (4): month and year of the next survey

 (5): administrative registration number of the ship

 (6): expiry date of registration validity of the ship

APPENDIX VIII

SIZE AND POSITION OF CONTROL CODE
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 48/2015/TT-BGTVT dated September 22, 2015 by the Minister of Transport)

1. With regard to a ship whose hull is made of steel/ aluminum alloys

...

...

...

b) The size (height x width) of the letters and digits of the control code is (100 x 60) mm, thickness of letters and digits is 15 mm; both letters and digits of the control code have the same color with the administrative registration number.

2. With regard to a ship whose hull is made of wood/glass-fibre reinforced plastic:

a) The control code is stuck on the control plate (made of aluminum material) and fastened by rivet to the ship on its wheel or bridge, in front of the steering gear if the ship's wheel is not available. The height of the control code of the ships prescribed in Clause 1, 2 and 3 Appendix IX enclosed herewith is 8 mm. The height of the control code of the ships prescribed in Clause 4 Appendix IX enclosed herewith is 6 mm.

b) The control code is stuck on the ships of other types at a noticeable position.

APPENDIX IX

CLASSIFICATION OF INLAND WATERWAY SHIPS
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 48/2015/TT-BGTVT dated September 22, 2015 by the Minister of Transport)

1. Ships operating on inland waterway and coastal routes, from shore to islands or between islands; ships carrying liquefied gas, container ships, ships carrying hazardous chemicals in bulk, oil tankers; high-speed passenger ships and hovercrafts.

2. Ships of foreigners or wholly foreign-owned enterprises engaging in inland waterway transport.

...

...

...

a) The ship carrying 50 persons or more;

b) The ship with a deadweight tonnage of 200 tonnes or more;

c) The ship with a main engine power of 135 HP or more;

d) Specialized ships such as floating docks and work ships and other ships with special uses and design length of 10 m or more;

e) The ship fitted with lifting appliance whose lifting capacity of more than 1 tonne.

4. Ships operating on river, canals, ditches, lakes, lagoons and bays (except the ships in the said Clause 1 and 2), having one of the following specifications:

a) Ships carrying less than 50 persons;

b) Ships with a deadweight tonnage of less than 200 tonnes;

c) Ships with a main engine power of less than 135 HP;

...

...

...

APPENDIX X

CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS TO BE SATISFIED BY REGISTRATION AGENCIES FOR INLAND WATERWAY SHIPS
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 48/2015/TT-BGTVT dated September 22, 2015 by the Minister of Transport)

1. General requirements

1.1. Material facility

1.1.1. Headquarters

The headquarters or working office of the registration agency must be large enough to ensure normal working conditions and document storage space.

1.1.2. Equipment

In addition to common office stationary items, the registration agency must be equipped with the followings:

...

...

...

- Fax machine.

- Photocopier.

- Firefighting equipment.

- Boards/tables publicly indicating survey procedures, fees and charges, working hours and internal rules of the registration agency.

Survey equipment and tools

No.

Name of equipment

Minimum quantity

1

...

...

...

01 piece/01 hull surveyor

2

Steel tape with a length of 2-5 m

01 piece/01 hull surveyor

3

Soft tape with a length of >10 m

01 piece/01 hull surveyor

4

Plumb line + plumb bob

...

...

...

5

Welding gauge

01 piece/01 hull surveyor

6

Welding inspection mirror

01 piece/01 hull surveyor

7

Caliper

01 piece/01 engine surveyor

...

...

...

Feeler gauge

01 piece/01 engine surveyor

9

Electrical tester pen

01 piece/01 engine surveyor

10

Multimeter

01 piece/01 engine surveyor

11

...

...

...

01 piece/01 engine surveyor

12

6V flashlight

01 piece/01 surveyor

13

Stopwatch

02 pieces/01 registration agency

14

Straight ruler with a length of > 500 mm

...

...

...

15

Micrometer (0 – 150 mm range)

02 pieces/01 registration agency

16

Inside and outside calipers

02 pieces/01 registration agency

17

Dial test indicator

02 pieces/01 registration agency

...

...

...

1.2.1. Positions in the registration agency

The registration agency has the following positions:

- Leaders (including director, deputy directors of registration sub-department or center; heads and deputy heads of departments/divisions).

- Surveyors.

- Operations staff.

1.2.2. Competence of leaders, surveyors and operations staff

Comply with regulations of the Circular No. 49/2015/TT-BGTVT dated September 22, 2015 of the Minister of Transport prescribing standards, duties and powers of leaders, surveyors and operations staff of registration agencies for inland waterway ships.

1.2.3. Number of leaders, surveyors and operations staff members

The number of leaders, surveyors and operations staff members of a registration agency shall depend on the number of inland waterway ships to be inspected and supervised within its managed area, provided that:

...

...

...

- The number of operations staff members (excluding accountants and cashiers): at least 01 operations staff member is arranged for every 05 surveyors.

1.3. Legislative documents

The registration agency must have adequate technical standards and regulations for inland waterway ships as well as other regulations and guidelines on registration procedures as the basis for management, inspection and assessment of technical safety and environmental protection requirements satisfied by inland waterway ships and industrial products.

2. Requirements to be satisfied by rank-III registration agency

In addition to general requirements, a rank-III registration agency is required to meet the following requirements:

2.1. Personnel

It must have at least 01 rank-III hull surveyor and 01 rank-III engine surveyor.

2.2. Material facility

- Computers with available internet network must be equipped for inputting and issuing registration documents to the ships, storing and transmitting data, and implementing the “technical management and supervision for inland waterway ships" program according to professional guidelines of Vietnam Register, including:

...

...

...

+ P4 or higher processor;

+ RAM >=2 GB;

+ HDD >- 200 GB.

3. Requirements to be satisfied by rank-II registration agency

In addition to general requirements, a rank-II registration agency is required to meet the following requirements:

3.1. Personnel

- Its leaders must be surveyors of inland waterway ships.

- It must have at least 02 rank-II hull surveyors and 02 rank-II engine surveyors.

3.2. Material facility

...

...

...

- At least 01 computer with the following configuration:

+ Dual-core or higher processor;

+ RAM >=8 GB;

+ HDD >= 1 TB;

+ Windows Server operating system.

- At least 04 computers with the following configuration:

+ P4 or higher processor;

+ RAM >=2 GB;

+ HDD >= 200 GB.

...

...

...

- At least 01 portable toxic gas detector.

- At least 01 set of dyes used to detect surface breaking defects by liquid penetrant testing.

- At least 01 GPS used to measure the speed of the ship.

- At least 01 oxygen meter.

- At least 01 digital tachometer (remote control).

- At least 01 crankshaft deflection indicator.

- At least 01 metal surface roughness tester.

- At least 01 laptop.

- RT film viewer

...

...

...

4. Requirements to be satisfied by rank-I registration agency

In addition to general requirements, a rank-I registration agency is required to meet the following requirements:

4.1. Personnel

- Its leaders must be surveyors of inland waterway ships.

- It must have at least 02 rank-I hull surveyors and 02 rank-I engine surveyors.

4.2. Material facility

- Computers with available internet network must be equipped for inputting and issuing registration documents to the ships, storing and transmitting data, and implementing the “technical management and supervision for inland waterway ships" program according to professional guidelines of Vietnam Register, including:

- At least 01 computer with the following configuration:

+ Dual-core or higher processor;

...

...

...

+ HDD >= 1 TB;

+ Windows Server operating system.

- At least 04 computers with the following configuration:

+ P4 or higher processor;

+ RAM >=2 GB;

+ HDD >= 200 GB;

+ Windows 7 or higher operating system.

- At least 01 infrared thermometer.

- At least 01 portable toxic gas detector.

...

...

...

- At least 01 GPS used to measure the speed of the ship.

- At least 01 oxygen meter.

- At least 02 digital tachometers (remote control).

- At least 02 crankshaft deflection indicators.

- At least 02 metal surface roughness testers.

- At least 04 laptops.

- At least 01 ultrasonic thickness gauge.

- At least 01 ultrasonic flaw detector.

- RT film viewer

...

...

...

APPENDIX XI

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF INLAND WATERWAY SHIPS TO BE INSPECTED BY A SURVEYOR DURING A YEAR
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 48/2015/TT-BGTVT dated September 22, 2015 by the Minister of Transport)

TABLE 1

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF INLAND WATERWAY SHIPS TO BE INSPECTED BY A SURVEYOR DURING A YEAR

 (EXCEPT THE SHIPS IN TABLE 2 AND TABLE 3)

No.

Maximum number of inland waterway ships to be inspected by a surveyor during a year

Type of inspection

Annual/ intermediate inspection

...

...

...

Periodical inspection

Inspection of new ship

Hull

Engine

Hull

Engine

Hull

Engine

Hull

...

...

...

Deadweight tonnage (*)

Design hull dimensions (LxBxD) (**)

...

...

...

1

From  5 to less than 15 tonnes

From 8,5 to less than 25 m³

3.932

3.984

...

...

...

293

2

From  15 to less than 50 tonnes

From 25 to less than 85 m³

2.929

2.929

5.858

5.858

1.953

...

...

...

110

262

3

From  50 to less than 100 tonnes

From 85 to less than 165 m³

993

976

1.986

1.952

...

...

...

651

70

110

4

From  100 to less than 200 tonnes

From 165 to less than 340 m³

819

830

1.638

...

...

...

546

553

60

96

5

From  200 to less than 350 tonnes

From 340 to less than 590 m³

715

722

...

...

...

1.444

477

481

49

78

6

From  350 to less than 500 tonnes

From 590 to less than 855 m³

620

...

...

...

1.240

1.250

413

417

42

72

7

From  500 to less than 700 tonnes

From 855 to less than 1100 m³

...

...

...

501

1.026

1.002

342

334

37

64

8

From  700 to less than 1000 tonnes

...

...

...

417

418

834

836

278

279

30

51

9

...

...

...

1600 m³ or more

307

312

614

624

205

208

25

44

...

...

...

- (*) applied to the following ships: dry cargo ships, bulk carriers, oil tankers, ships carrying dangerous goods, ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk, ships carrying dangerous chemicals in bulk, chemical tankers, ships carrying liquid cargo (except oil tankers, ships carrying dangerous goods, ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk, ships carrying dangerous chemicals in bulk and chemical tankers), container ships, and reefer ships.

- (**) applied to the following ships: tugs and pusher craft, work ships, service ships, ships serving research, exploration, sports or entertainment, floating docks, and ships with special uses.

- The maximum number of dry cargo ships will be divided by the corresponding coefficient 1.

- The maximum number of work ships, service ships and oil tankers with flash point exceeding 60 °C or container ships will be divided by the corresponding coefficient 1,2.

- The maximum number of research and exploration ships, tugs and pusher craft, reefer ships, oil tankers with flash point not exceeding 60 °C, ships serving sports or entertainment, floating docks, and ships with special uses will be divided by the corresponding coefficient 1,5.

- The maximum number of ships carrying dangerous goods, ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk, ships carrying dangerous chemicals in bulk and chemical tankers will be divided by the corresponding coefficient 1,8.

TABLE 2

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PASSENGER SHIPS, FERRIES AND HIGH-SPEED CARGO SHIPS TO BE INSPECTED BY A SURVEYOR DURING A YEAR

...

...

...

Maximum number of inland waterway ships to be inspected by a surveyor during a year

Type of inspection

Annual/ intermediate inspection

Docking inspection

Periodical inspection

Inspection of new ship

Number of persons carried by the ship

Hull

Engine

...

...

...

Engine

Hull

Engine

Hull

Engine

1

12 persons or less

2.621

2.656

...

...

...

113

195

2

More than 12 to less than 50 persons

662

651

...

...

...

1302

441

434

47

73

3

From 50 to less than 100 persons

477

481

...

...

...

962

318

321

33

52

4

From 100 to less than 150 persons

342

334

...

...

...

668

228

222

24

43

5

150 persons or more

205

208

...

...

...

416

137

138

17

30

TABLE 3

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF HIGH-SPEED PASSENGER SHIPS, FLOATING HOTELS, FLOATING RESTAURANTS, OVERNIGHT CRUISES AND HOVERCRAFTS TO BE INSPECTED BY A SURVEYOR DURING A YEAR

No.

...

...

...

Type of inspection

Annual/ intermediate inspection

Docking inspection

Periodical inspection

Inspection of new ship

Number of persons carried by the ship (*)

Design hull dimensions (LxBxD) (**)

Hull

...

...

...

Hull

Engine

Hull

Engine

Hull

Engine

1

12 persons or less

From 8,5 to less than 55 m³

...

...

...

2.213

94

163

2

More than 12 to less than 50 persons

...

...

...

551

542

1102

1084

368

362

39

61

3

...

...

...

From 250 to less than 720 m³

397

401

794

802

265

267

27

44

...

...

...

From 100 - 150 persons

From 720 to less than 1400 m³

285

278

570

556

190

185

20

...

...

...

5

150 persons or more

1400 m³ or more

171

173

342

346

114

115

...

...

...

25

Notes:

 (*) applied to high-speed passenger ships and floating restaurants.

 (**) applied to floating restaurants, overnight cruises and hovercrafts.

Thông tư 48/2015/TT-BGTVT quy định về đăng kiểm phương tiện thủy nội địa do Bộ trưởng Bộ Giao thông vận tải ban hành