Flag state control

Flag State Control

The purpose of Flag State Control is to ensure that ships flying the flag of the Republic of Lithuania comply with national and international requirements for maritime safety, security, and the prevention of pollution from ships, as well as standards for shipboard living and working conditions. As a party to various international conventions, protocols, and agreements that Lithuania has ratified, adopted, or acceded to, the Republic of Lithuania undertakes the responsibility to implement these instruments fully and to monitor compliance with their provisions.

The Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration (the Administration) participates in setting technical and organizational requirements and ensures their implementation and enforcement. The Administration’s activities in the field of shipping safety for seagoing ships are regulated by the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Maritime Safety.

Seagoing Ships

Seagoing ships are registered in the Register of Seagoing Ships of the Republic of Lithuania in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Maritime Safety, the Merchant Shipping Law of the Republic of Lithuania, and the Rules of the Seagoing Ships Register of the Republic of Lithuania. The shipowner must be either a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania or a legal entity registered in Lithuania. Registration and the issuance of relevant documents are carried out by the Client Service Division of Western Lithuania.

Every seagoing ship must hold a valid certificate of class.

A vessel is deemed seaworthy and fit to perform a particular voyage within the limits of its designated sailing area if it has been designed, built, equipped, and operated in compliance with technical, navigational, environmental protection, ship manning, workplace safety, and fire protection requirements. The ship operator must possess valid documents issued by the Administration or an authorized classification society to certify compliance.

Authorized classification societies have the right to carry out technical supervision and surveys as prescribed by international agreements.

The shipowner (company) is responsible for maintaining the vessel in proper technical condition.

A list of certificates and documents required on board ships registered in the Register of Seagoing Ships of the Republic of Lithuania can be found [here].

Safety and Security Management

The verification and certification of safety management systems on ships and within companies to which the ISM Code applies are carried out by auditors of the Ship Control and Traffic Monitoring Division or, in some cases, by Recognized Organizations. Implementation of the ISM Code is regulated by the Order of the Minister of Transport and Communications; Regulation (EC) No. 336/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 February 2006 on the implementation of the International Safety Management Code within the Community; and IMO Resolutions A.741(18) and A.913(22).

Ship security plans for vessels subject to the ISPS Code must be approved by the Lithuanian Maritime Safety Administration. Verification and certification are conducted by auditors of the Ship Control and Traffic Monitoring Division or, in certain cases, by Recognized Organizations. Implementation of the ISPS Code is regulated by Government Resolutions, Orders of the Minister of Transport and Communications, Orders of the Director of the Lithuanian Maritime Safety Administration, Regulation (EC) No. 725/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on enhancing ship and port facility security, and relevant IMO resolutions.

EU and Environmental Requirements

As Lithuania is an EU member state, ships flying the Lithuanian flag must comply with the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) (Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on marine equipment). Certain approved marine equipment on board must bear the “Wheel Mark.”

Lithuanian-flagged ships must also comply with Regulation (EC) No. 1005/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

Inspections and Surveys

Periodic inspections and surveys of seagoing ships are carried out by inspectors of the Ship Control and Traffic Monitoring Division.