Changing Flag and Class at the Same Time?
Coordinate Flag State acceptance, transfer of class, Recognized Organization authorization and statutory certification as one structured transition project.
What Is a Flag & Class Change?
A combined Flag and Class change occurs when a vessel transfers to a new Flag State while also transferring from its existing Classification Society to another Classification Society.
Although both changes may be completed within the same project, they are not a single approval. The proposed Flag Administration must assess the vessel for registration, while the proposed Classification Society must independently determine whether the vessel can be accepted into class.
Statutory certification creates an additional interface. The organization intended to perform statutory surveys, audits and certification must have the necessary authorization from the new Flag Administration for the relevant scope.
Three Decisions Must Work Together
A successful combined transition requires compatibility between the new registry, the new Classification Society and the statutory authorization structure.
Flag State Acceptance
The proposed Flag Administration assesses vessel eligibility, ownership, age, type, compliance history, technical status and applicable registration requirements.
Class Entry Acceptance
The proposed Classification Society reviews class records, survey status, technical history, outstanding items, drawings and any surveys required for entry into class.
Statutory Authorization
The new Flag Administration’s authorization of the organization for the applicable statutory conventions, surveys, audits and certification must be confirmed.
Recommended Flag & Class Change Sequence
The exact sequence depends on the vessel and organizations involved, but early coordination helps prevent certification gaps and unnecessary operational disruption.
Collect Vessel & Class Status
Review vessel particulars, current flag, current class, survey status, statutory certificates, outstanding conditions, PSC history and intended trading area.
Obtain Preliminary Flag Eligibility
Confirm whether the proposed Flag State is prepared to consider the vessel before significant transition costs are incurred.
Apply to the Proposed Classification Society
Submit the information required for class entry review, including existing class and survey records where applicable.
Verify RO Authorization
Confirm that the intended organization is authorized by the proposed Flag Administration for the statutory work required for the vessel.
Complete Document & Plan Review
Provide technical records, drawings and supporting documentation requested by the incoming class or Flag Administration.
Define Survey Scope
Establish the required class entry surveys, statutory surveys, audits, inspections and any outstanding technical work.
Coordinate Existing Flag & Class
Plan deletion, closure and transfer procedures together with any required information exchange involving the outgoing registry and Classification Society.
Complete Surveys & Audits
Carry out the agreed class, statutory and management-system survey or audit scope and close applicable findings.
Complete Flag Transition
Coordinate registry documentation, radio arrangements, insurance evidence, CSR and other flag-related requirements.
Issue New Class & Statutory Documentation
Following satisfactory completion of applicable requirements, the relevant class, statutory and flag documentation can be issued in accordance with each organization’s authority.
What Changes — and What Usually Stays?
| Item | Flag Change | Class Change | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMO Ship Number | No change solely due to reflagging | No change | Retained |
| Certificate of Registry | Changes | — | New Flag documentation |
| Call Sign | Review / normally changes with new allocation | — | Coordinate with Flag |
| MMSI | New Flag allocation normally required | — | Radio update |
| Class Certificate | — | Changes | Issued by incoming Class |
| Class Survey Status | Reviewed | Transferred / reviewed | Incoming Class assessment |
| Statutory Certificates | Flag-related review | RO may change | Review / reissue as applicable |
| CSR | Updated | Class details may be relevant | Maintain required history |
| Radio Licence | Changes | — | New Flag arrangement |
| P&I / Blue Cards | Review / update | Class change may require insurer notification | Coordinate with insurer |
| ISM / ISPS / MLC | Flag implications | RO implications where applicable | Audit / certification review |
Check Flag & Class Options
Provide the vessel’s current status and proposed destination if already known. This allows the transition to be assessed before detailed applications are started.
- Flag eligibility
- Class entry considerations
- RO authorization compatibility
- Survey scope considerations
- Initial transition planning
Vessel Details
Documents to Prepare
Exact requirements depend on the proposed Flag State, incoming Classification Society and vessel status.
Registry
- Current Certificate of Registry
- Ownership documentation
- Company documents
- CSR documentation
- Deletion-related documents
Class
- Current Class Certificate
- Complete survey status
- Outstanding recommendations / conditions
- Class history
- Available technical records
Technical
- Approved drawings as requested
- Statutory certificates
- Tonnage documentation
- Equipment records
- Previous survey reports where required
Compliance
- ISM / ISPS documentation
- MLC documentation
- P&I / insurance evidence
- Applicable Blue Cards
- PSC information where requested
Key Issues to Check Early
Identifying these matters before committing to a transition can reduce delays, unexpected surveys and additional cost.
Vessel Age
The proposed Flag State or Classification Society may apply additional requirements to older vessels.
Outstanding Class Items
Recommendations, conditions, overdue surveys or technical findings can affect class entry.
RO Authorization
Confirm authorization for the proposed Flag State and the required statutory scope.
Drydock Status
Review docking and underwater survey status early to determine whether additional attendance may be required.
Drawings & Records
Missing technical drawings or historical records can delay the incoming Class review.
Insurance & Trading
Consider insurer, financing, chartering and trading requirements when selecting the new Flag and Class combination.
Flag & Class Change Questions
Can flag and class be changed at the same time?
Yes. Both transitions can be coordinated within the same project. However, Flag State acceptance and class entry are separate decisions, and statutory authorization must also be verified.
Which should be approved first: the new flag or new class?
The sequence depends on the vessel and organizations involved. In practice, preliminary compatibility and acceptance should be established with both sides before the outgoing arrangements are closed or significant transition commitments are made.
Does changing class require dry docking?
Not automatically. The required survey scope depends on the vessel’s technical and survey status, the incoming Classification Society’s requirements and the circumstances of the transfer.
What happens to outstanding class recommendations?
Outstanding class items form part of the technical status considered during transfer. Their treatment and closure should be coordinated with the Classification Societies involved.
Can the same organization be both Class and RO?
Potentially. A Classification Society may also perform statutory functions when it has the necessary authorization from the relevant Flag Administration for the applicable scope. Class status alone does not create that authorization.
Does the IMO number change?
No. Changing Flag State or Classification Society does not by itself change the vessel’s IMO Ship Identification Number.
Will the statutory certificates need to be reissued?
Statutory certification must be reviewed as part of the flag transition. Reissuance, endorsement, surveys or audits may be required depending on the certificate, new Flag State and authorized RO arrangements.
How long does a combined Flag and Class change take?
Timing depends on flag approval, class entry review, documentation availability, survey scope, outstanding technical items, statutory certification and coordination with the outgoing organizations. A vessel-specific review is required for a meaningful schedule.
How much does a Flag and Class change cost?
Total cost may include registry fees, class entry and survey charges, statutory surveys and audits, radio arrangements, insurance documentation, technical work and other vessel-specific costs. Quotations should therefore be based on the vessel’s actual status.
Plan the Transition
One Vessel. Two Major Changes. One Coordinated Plan.
Provide the IMO number, current Flag and Class, together with your preferred new Flag or Classification Society if already known. The vessel can then be reviewed for potential transition options and quotation requests.
Review Your Vessel → Request QuotationsThis guide provides general maritime information only. Flag registration, class entry, statutory authorization, survey scope, certification and transition requirements depend on the vessel and the requirements of the relevant Flag Administration, Classification Society and Recognized Organization.
Shipregistration.org is an independent maritime information and coordination platform unless expressly stated otherwise. It is not a Flag Administration, Classification Society or Recognized Organization.