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The Danish Maritime Authority has reminded shipowners that it is time to apply for the renewal of their bunker certificates. The certificate concerns insurance cover for liability for bunker oil pollution damage.

In a statement, Martin John, Director, Ship Survey and Certification and Manning at the Danish Maritime Authority, said: "We urge shipowners to apply for renewed certificates from the Danish Maritime Authority in due time."

Danish ships with a gross tonnage (gt) of 1000 or more must acquire the certificate, as should foreign vessels with a gross tonnage of 1000 or more if they intend to call at a Danish port, a Danish place of loading or unloading, the Danish continental shelf area, or if they intend to operate permanently in Danish territorial waters.

Ships subject to a requirement for a certificate are not permitted to operate without it. All bunker certificates - as well as Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC), Athens and Wreck Removal Convention (WRC) certificates - based on protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance typically expire on 20th February 2017.

Some bunker, CLC, Athens and WRC certificates will expire on a date other than 20th February 2017; that typically applies to certificates issued on the basis of declarations on liability cover (Blue Cards) from insurance companies that are not members of the International Group of P&I Clubs.

Shipowners with these Blue Cards have been urged to pay particular attention to the need to apply for fresh certificates in time as the Danish Maritime Authority normally needs to approve these companies on an annual basis.

As a new procedure, Blue Cards from approved insurance companies will be accepted in electronic format and insurance certificates for Danish ships will now be issued electronically.

CLC certificates

Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC) certificates concern insurance cover for liability for oil pollution damage. Danish ships carrying more than 2000 tonnes of resistant mineral oil with carbon hybrids 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 intend to call at a Danish port, a place of loading or unloading, or the Danish continental shelf area.

Applications can be made at the following address: http://www.dma.dk/ships/sider/form.aspx