Circulars and directives
The Swiss Maritime Navigation Office (SMNO) plays a central role in the implementation of international maritime regulations and ensures that these regulations are applied uniformly.
The technical department issues implementing regulations and provides interpretations of international maritime navigation instruments. It also grants exemptions and assesses equivalences and alternative regulations within the framework of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.
Circulars
Official Circular issued by the Flag State Administration to vessels and shipping companies flying its flag and RO’s used to communicate new or amended regulations, interpretations of international conventions (such as SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, MLC), national requirements, or administrative procedures. Flag State Circulars form part of the flag State’s oversight and support the consistent implementation of safety, environmental, and operational standards in shipping.
Equivalents
An Equivalent issued by the Flag State Administration is an approved alternative arrangement that may be accepted in place of a specific requirement of an IMO convention, provided that it is at least as effective in achieving the required level of safety and meets the intent of the relevant regulation.
Exemptions
An Exemption issued by the Flag State Administration is an official approval by which the Administration permits a vessel to depart from a specific mandatory requirement of an IMO convention, provided that the conditions for granting such an exemption, as set out in the convention, are fulfilled and an acceptable level of safety is maintained.
Flag State Directives
A Flag State Directive issued by the Flag State Administration is a binding instruction addressed to vessels and shipping companies flying its flag, often issued in response to a specific event or situation, specifying how such cases are to be handled and which procedures are to be followed.
Short Term Notices
A Short Term Notice issued by the Flag State Administration is an official, time-limited instruction, typically related to an urgent or exceptional situation, defining how these cases are to be managed and implemented in practice by vessels and operators.
Contact
Elisabethenstrasse 33
P.O.Box
Switzerland - 4010 Basel