What is Equasis | Ship Safety Information Search

What is Equasis?｜Ship Safety Information Search

Equasis is an international public ship information system that allows users to search for safety and quality information regarding vessels and ship-related companies.

Using the ship name or IMO number, you can check basic vessel information, flag state, classification society, ship management company, ship owner/operator, PSC (Port State Control) inspections, identified deficiencies, detention history, and more.

Equasis was established to eliminate substandard ships, improve maritime safety, and enhance transparency in the shipping market. It consolidates safety-related information from multiple classification societies, PSC authorities, maritime administrations, P&I club personnel, and other data providers.

Use of Equasis is free; however, user registration and login are generally required to perform vessel or company searches.

Equasis does not serve as a certificate guaranteeing the safety of vessels. It does not replace classification certificates, P&I membership certificates, marine insurance policies, PSC inspection reports, accident investigation reports, or General Average adjustment documents.

On Maritime Wiki, Equasis is presented not merely as a classification lookup tool but as an "entry point for vessel risk assessment" to support chartering, securing vessel space, marine cargo insurance, General Average, vessel incident analysis, carrier liability, and claims potential verification.

Scope Covered in This Article

Item	Content Covered in This Article	Additional References / Institutions to Confirm
Basic Role of Equasis	Positioning as a system to consolidate and search vessel safety information	Equasis usage conditions, official documents from information providers
Vessel Identification	Reasons for searching mainly by IMO number instead of vessel name	B/L, Booking Confirmation, shipping line materials
Class Society Information	How to view classification societies, class validity, changes of class, etc.	Official databases of classification societies, class certificates
PSC Information	Inspection dates, deficiencies, detention history, repeated findings overview	Tokyo MOU, Paris MOU and other PSC databases
Ship Management Company	Verification of Ship Manager, ISM Manager, owner, operator, etc.	Latest documents from shipping lines, ship management companies, P&I Clubs
Chartering and Vessel Space Arrangement	How to use for pre-contract vessel risk confirmation	Vessel particulars, class certificates, P&I, charter party conditions
Cargo Insurance / Marine Insurance	Initial checks for underwriting and accident investigations	Insurance policy, clauses, survey reports, accident reports
General Average and Vessel Incidents	Initial confirmation of vessel class, management company, PSC history, etc.	General Average Declaration, adjuster materials, voyage records
Carrier Liability and Claims	Confirm owner, management company, operator, and vessel management status	B/L, carriage clauses, P&I information, accident cause documents
Freight Forwarder’s Involvement Scope	Involvement by Standard Five Classifications in Equasis search, vessel info confirmation, additional inquiries, etc.	Quotations, carriage contracts, B/L, delegation content, actual handling
Usage Restrictions	Cautions regarding automated retrieval, bulk download, copying, redistribution, etc.	Latest Equasis Terms of Use and Conditions
Limitations of Information	Time lag in updates, missing data, not a final decision-making source	Direct confirmation with classification societies, PSC authorities, shipping lines, etc.

History and Purpose of Establishing Equasis

The concept of Equasis was initiated in 1997, primarily by the European Commission and the French maritime authorities, with operations commencing in 2000.

One of the underlying issues was that information on vessel safety and management quality was dispersed among classification societies, flag states, Port State Control (PSC) authorities, shipowners, insurers, and others, making it difficult for market participants to comprehensively verify the condition of target vessels.

To eliminate substandard vessels from the market, it is necessary not only for government agencies to conduct inspections but also for shippers, charterers, insurers, financial institutions, freight forwarders, and others to have access to vessel information before transactions.

Equasis aims to consolidate existing safety-related information into a single platform, enabling maritime stakeholders to verify the status of vessels and shipping-related companies, thereby encouraging improved safety and quality driven by the market.

The management and operation involve the administrative unit of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), with multiple maritime authorities including Japan participating in this international framework.

Scale of Equasis and Sources of Information

Equasis contains information on more than 85,000 vessels, with data aggregated from over 50 public and private sources.

The number of registered vessels and information sources may vary due to data additions or system changes. Therefore, these figures should be treated as a rough guide to understand the scale and coverage of Equasis.

Type of Information Source	Main Information Provided	Practical Use	Notes
PSC Authorities	Inspection dates, identified deficiencies, detention records	Check for safety management issues and recurring findings	Verify details again with each MOU’s official database
Classification Societies	Class, classification society, classification status	Confirm validity of class and any class changes	Does not substitute for official class certificates
Flag States and Maritime Authorities	Registry, registration details, basic vessel information	Reference for flag state management and vessel identification	Updates may lag behind registration changes
Vessel Management-Related Information	Shipowner, Ship Manager, ISM Manager, Operator	Clarify actual management and operation relationships	May not align with the contractual Carrier
P&I Related Information	Information on membership with Clubs, etc.	Starting point to confirm liability insurance and accident contact points	Check the latest membership certificates directly
Other Maritime Information Sources	Vessel name changes, company data, vessel specifications, etc.	Verify historical records and related companies	Update timing varies by source

While the aggregation of multiple information sources is an advantage of Equasis, it also means that update timing, definitions, and data accuracy may differ depending on the source.

Basic Positioning of Equasis

Vessel information is distributed among various organizations such as shipping lines, classification societies, Port State Control (PSC) authorities, flag states, P&I Clubs, and ship management companies.

Equasis is a system that consolidates this safety-related information, making it easier to check details of a target vessel using its name or IMO number.

In actual practice, it is used in situations such as the following:

• When verifying a vessel of a shipping line or NVOCC with whom there is no regular business relationship
• When considering spot chartering or space booking
• When transporting heavy cargo, dangerous goods, food, feed, fertilizers, etc.
• When making underwrite decisions for marine cargo insurance
• When using aged or specialized vessels
• When General Average has been declared
• When an incident such as collision, fire, grounding, or machinery failure occurs on a vessel
• When examining carrier liability or the potential for claims
• When the shipper requests confirmation of the vessel’s safety

However, final decisions regarding vessel selection, chartering, insurance underwriting, carrier liability, the establishment of General Average, or seaworthiness should not be made based solely on Equasis search results.

Main Information Available for Confirmation on Equasis

Check Item	Main Information to Confirm	Practical Interpretation	Additional Sources for Confirmation
Ship Name	Current and former ship names	Do not rely solely on ship name due to name changes and ships with identical names	B/L, shipping line, IMO number
IMO Number	Unique ship identification number	Used as the most important information to identify the specific vessel	B/L, Booking Confirmation, shipping line materials
Flag State	Flag State	Consider the flag state's regulatory system and Port State Control (PSC) evaluations	Flag state registration information, PSC materials
Year Built / Ship Age	Year of construction, ship age	Assess whether the vessel qualifies as aged and if additional checks are necessary	Ship particulars, insurance company
Ship Type / Specifications	Ship type, gross tonnage, etc.	Verify consistency with planned cargo and transportation method	Ship particulars, shipping line materials
Classification Society Information	Classification society, class status, change history	Confirm whether classification is valid and check for suspension or cancellation	Official classification society information, class certificates
Ship Management Company	Ship Manager, ISM Manager, etc.	Assess the stability of the management company and the condition of other managed vessels	Management company, shipping line, DOC materials
Ship Owner / Operating Company	Registered Owner, Operator, etc.	Use as an entry point to verify contractual parties and responsible entities	B/L, carriage clauses, company registration documents
PSC Inspection Information	Inspection date, port of inspection, noted deficiencies	Check for recency, severity, and repeated deficiencies	Official databases of each PSC MOU
Detention History	Presence and timing of detentions	Confirm no significant issues with safety management	PSC inspection reports, shipping line responses
Information Update Timing	Source of information and update date	If outdated, obtain the latest data directly	Each original information provider

Why Search by IMO Number Instead of Ship Name

When using Equasis, it is important to identify the target vessel not only by its ship name but also by its IMO number.

Vessels may change their names due to sales, changes of ownership, changes in management company, or changes in registration. Also, different vessels with the same or similar names may exist.

The IMO number is a unique identifier used to track the same vessel even if its name or registration changes.

Search Method	Advantages	Main Issues	Practical Handling
Ship Name Only	Can search when only the ship name is available	Confusion with ships of the same name, similar names, or former names	Confirm IMO number from search results and cross-check with B/L, etc.
IMO Number	Easier to track the same vessel after name changes	Input errors can lead to different vessel or no results	Cross-check the number multiple times with B/L, shipping line documents, etc.
Combination of Ship Name and IMO Number	Reduces risk of misidentifying the target vessel	Ship name notation may differ between information sources	Standard verification method in practice

Items to Record When Searching

Vessel information at the time of contract, insurance underwriting, or accident occurrence may be updated afterward.

To explain later which information was the basis for decisions, save not only the search results but also the verification conditions.

Item to Record	Content to Record	Reason for Recording	Storage Example
Verification Date	Date of performing the search	Clarify the timing of the information	Internal verification sheet, investigation memo
Vessel Name	The current vessel name used at the time of search	Track history before and after name changes	Search log, copy of B/L
IMO Number	Unique identifier of the vessel	Prevent confusion with other vessels	Project management sheet
Ship Flag and Class	Flag and class at the time of search	Identify changes occurring later	Verification checklist
Management Company	Ship Manager, ISM Manager, etc.	Allow confirmation before and after management changes	Investigation memo
PSC Information	Most recent inspection date, remarks, detention history	Explain risk assessment at the contract timing	Record of search results
Source of Verified Information	Equasis, PSC, classification societies, etc.	Clarify the source of the information	List of information sources
Additional Verification Results	Responses from shipping line, classification society, P&I club, etc.	Organize discrepancies with Equasis information	Emails, certificates, response letters

Basic Procedure for Using Equasis

1. Obtain the vessel name and IMO number from the B/L, Booking Confirmation, or shipping line documents.
2. Verify that the vessel name matches the IMO number.
3. Log in to Equasis and, as a general rule, search for the target vessel using the IMO number.
4. Check the basic information such as current and previous vessel names, flag, vessel type, and year built.
5. Confirm the classification society and classification status.
6. Check details such as Ship Manager, ISM Manager, Registered Owner, and Operator.
7. Review the latest PSC inspection date, inspection location, number of deficiencies, details of deficiencies, and detention history.
8. Confirm whether similar deficiencies or detentions have been repeated.
9. If the information is outdated, inconsistent, or there are serious deficiencies, conduct additional verification with the classification society, PSC authority, shipping line, P&I Club, etc.
10. Record the date of verification, search criteria, IMO number, verification results, and reasons for judgment.

How to Interpret Classification Society Information

Classification society information serves as an entry point to confirm whether a vessel has undergone structural and equipment inspections according to the rules of the classification society, and whether it maintains a certain class status.

Checklist Item	Key Points to Check	Potential Problematic Conditions	Additional Actions
Classification Society Name	Which classification society the vessel is registered with	Limited recognition or restricted information disclosure	Verify IACS membership status and official information
Validity of Classification	Whether the classification is currently valid and maintained	Indications such as suspended, cancelled, withdrawn, etc.	Confirm directly with the classification society
Classification Changes	Whether classification society changes occurred within a short period	Frequent changes or unclear reasons for changes	Check past classifications, change dates, and reasons
Multiple Classifications Displayed	Whether multiple classification records are shown redundantly	Time lag in updates or classification transfer in progress	Obtain the latest classification certificate
Consistency with Vessel Type	Whether the vessel type matches the planned cargo requirements	Inability to confirm capabilities needed for special cargoes	Review vessel particulars, certificates, and survey reports
Relation to Vessel Age	Whether classification is properly maintained even for older vessels	High vessel age combined with classification or PSC issues	Consult further with insurers and chartering personnel

Simply having a valid classification does not fully guarantee the vessel’s safety or its suitability for cargo transport.

Classification information should be reviewed together with vessel age, PSC records, management company, accident history, vessel particulars, P&I membership status, and other relevant data.

How to Read PSC Information

PSC stands for Port State Control. It refers to safety and convention compliance inspections conducted by the port state on foreign vessels.

PSC inspections cover the hull, engine room, firefighting equipment, lifesaving equipment, pollution prevention devices, certificates, crew, working environment, and ISM-based safety management.

Check Item	Key Points to Observe	Practical Assessment	When Additional Verification is Needed
Date of Most Recent Inspection	When the last PSC inspection took place	Used as a reference to evaluate the latest management condition	If there is a long absence of inspection records
Inspection Location	Country, port, or MOU under which the inspection was carried out	Consideration of calling regions and trade routes	Check details with regional databases
Number of Deficiencies	The count of deficiencies noted	Review not just quantity but also content and corrective status	If the number is large or rapidly increasing
Details of Deficiencies	Firefighting, lifesaving, structure, engine, ISM, crew, etc.	Distinguish between serious safety issues and minor management shortcomings	When critical equipment or safety management deficiencies are present
Detention History	Whether there were detentions and their timing	Indicates possible serious non-compliance	If there are recent or multiple detentions
Repeated Deficiencies	Whether similar deficiencies recur repeatedly	May suggest issues with corrective abilities or management system	If the same equipment or ISM items keep being noted
Relationship with Management Company	Whether deficiency trends changed before or after management company changes	Consider whether the problem lies with the individual vessel or the entire management system	If the management company has similar issues across multiple vessels

The presence of a PSC detention history does not automatically mean the vessel should not be used.

Past problems may have been properly addressed, with subsequent inspections showing satisfactory results. However, in cases of recent serious detentions or repeated similar deficiencies, further verification should be conducted before chartering, insurance underwriting, or cargo arrangements.

Relationship with Regional PSC MOUs

Port State Control (PSC) operates based on regional cooperation frameworks such as Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs).

Name	Main Region	Practical Use Cases	Notes
Tokyo MOU	Asia-Pacific region	Checking vessels calling at ports in Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, etc.	Especially important for intra-Asia trade routes
Paris MOU	Europe and North Atlantic region	Verifying vessels calling at European ports and on European routes	Flag State, classification society, and company performance data are also referenced
Mediterranean MOU	Mediterranean coastal region	Confirmation of vessels on Mediterranean routes and calling coastal countries	Should be checked along with inspection records from other MOUs
Indian Ocean MOU	Indian Ocean surrounding region	Verification of vessels on routes around South Asia, Middle East, and East Africa	Consider regional differences between ports of call and inspection records
US PSC	United States	Checking safety and detention information for vessels calling at US ports	Direct confirmation from the US Coast Guard information is recommended

For voyages to and from Japan or within the Asia-Pacific region, it is common to check Tokyo MOU PSC information and APCIS together with Equasis data.

If the overview shown in Equasis is insufficient to assess severity, the inspection details should be confirmed directly from the relevant PSC authority.

Viewpoints on Ship Management Companies

Ship management companies are involved in crew management, maintenance management, safety management, ISM operation, ship supplies management, repairs, and daily operational quality.

Inspection Item	Details to Confirm	Practical Implications	Points of Caution
Ship Manager	The company centrally responsible for ship management	Verify the ship's daily management framework	May differ from the shipowner or operator
ISM Manager	The company responsible for the Safety Management System	Confirm who holds management responsibility under ISM	Cross-check with the latest DOC information
Registered Owner	Registered shipowner	Entry point to confirm ownership relationships	May be a single-ship SPC company
Operator	The company involved in vessel operation	Organize actual voyage and commercial operation relationships	Does not necessarily correspond with the carrier on the B/L
Management Company Changes	Timing and frequency of changes	Indicator for assessing stability of the management system	Do not automatically assume risk solely based on changes
PSC Status of Other Ships	Inspection and detention status of other vessels under the same management company	Assess company-wide management tendencies rather than individual ships	Also consider company size and number of operated vessels

Frequent changes in the management company alone cannot definitively indicate that a ship is unsafe.

However, when management company changes, classification society changes, flag state changes, PSC detentions, or accidents occur in close temporal proximity, additional verification of the management system and vessel condition should be conducted.

Use in Chartering and Vessel Space Arrangement

For charter contracts and vessel space arrangements, it is important to verify the vessel’s classification society, age, management company, PSC history, detention records, and other details before finalizing the contract.

This preliminary investigation is particularly critical for spot charters, heavy cargo transport, dangerous goods shipments, bulk cargo, cargoes requiring quality control such as food, feed, and fertilizer, and when dealing with shipowners or operators with whom there is no prior business relationship.

Verification Item	Verification via Equasis	Additional Documentation	Points of Caution
Vessel Identification	Vessel name, IMO number, former names	Vessel particulars, Fixture Recap	Avoid misidentifying the vessel
Vessel Age and Type	Year built, vessel type	Vessel particulars, Cargo Gear information	Confirm suitability for cargo and transport method
Classification Society	Class society, status	Class certificates	Verify validity and any special requirements
PSC	Detentions, deficiencies, most recent inspection	Details from each MOU	Assess severity and corrective status
Management Company	Ship Manager, ISM Manager	DOC, company responses	Check for management changes and condition of other vessels
P&I	Reference information	Latest membership certificate	Do not rely solely on Equasis display

Verification via Equasis is useful for pre-contract investigations, but the final charter decision should comprehensively consider the charter party terms, vessel particulars, classification certificates, P&I, hull insurance, and the track record of the shipowner and operator.

Use in General Average and Vessel Accidents

When General Average is declared or vessel accidents such as fire, grounding, collision, engine failure, or flooding occur, it is necessary to promptly organize the basic information of the vessel involved in the accident.

Equasis allows you to verify the vessel’s IMO number, flag, class society, management company, owner, operator, and PSC (Port State Control) history, making it useful for information gathering in the initial stage of accident response.

However, Equasis alone cannot be used to determine the cause of the accident, seaworthiness, the validity of General Average, the reasonableness of General Average acts, or the allocation of costs.

In practice, the following documents should be cross-referenced:

• Vessel accident report
• Navigation records and log book
• Master’s report
• Class society’s accident and inspection documents
• General Average declaration
• General Average guarantee
• General Average bond
• General Average adjuster and surveyor’s documents
• P&I Club information
• Information from hull insurers and cargo insurers
• Survey reports

Use in Cargo and Marine Insurance

In marine cargo insurance and other marine insurance types, the vessel’s age, class, flag, management company, and Port State Control (PSC) history may serve as reference points for underwriting decisions and accident investigations.

Situation	Information to Check on Equasis	Significance in Insurance Practice	Final Reference Documents
Underwriting	Vessel age, class, flag, management company, PSC history	Entry point for assessing vessel risk	Vessel particulars, underwriting guidelines, classification certificates
Use of Aging Vessel	Build year, class status, detention history	Consideration of additional conditions or prior approval requirements	Insurance clauses, aging vessel conditions, insurer responses
When an Accident Occurs	Past PSC findings, detentions, management company, class	Initial reference material for accident cause investigation	Accident reports, survey reports, voyage records
Reviewing Carrier Liability	Ship management status, PSC history, affiliated companies	Entry point to identify claims target or management issues	B/L, carrier clauses, P&I, accident documentation
General Average Handling	Class, flag, management company, past inspections	Organizing basic vessel information	General Average documents, adjuster reports

Even if PSC detention history or class changes appear on Equasis, it does not automatically mean insurance claims will be denied, the carrier is liable, or the vessel lacked seaworthiness.

In insurance practice, a comprehensive review includes the policy, insurance clauses, cause of the accident, causation with cargo damage, insured’s awareness, survey reports, classification records, and P&I information.

Usage in Carrier Liability and Subrogation Review

In case of cargo incidents, it is necessary to confirm not only the Carrier named on the B/L but also the actual vessel involved, the shipowner, the operator, the ship management company, and the P&I Club.

Items to Confirm	Information Available on Equasis	Practical Purpose	Additional Reference Materials
Actual Vessel	Vessel name, IMO number, former vessel names	Precisely identify the vessel involved in the incident	B/L, transshipment records, shipping line responses
Registered Owner	Registered Owner	Entry point for confirming ownership relationships	Ship registration, company documents
Management Company	Ship Manager, ISM Manager	Clarify management and liability relationships	DOC, management contracts, shipping line responses
Operating Company	Operator, etc.	Understand the actual operational relationship	Transport contract, fixture, B/L
PSC History	Detentions, deficiencies, inspection records	Examine relevance to incident causes	PSC detailed reports, incident investigation documents
Ship Classification	Classification society, status	Verify vessel condition and inspection matters	Classification society documents

For the final assessment of carrier liability, documents such as the B/L, transport clauses, the leg of the voyage when the incident occurred, liability limits, exemptions, notification deadlines, survey reports, voyage records, and cargo delivery records are important.

Equasis serves as a reference tool to confirm the underlying vessel information and related parties.

Scope of Freight Forwarders' Involvement

The following Standard Five Classifications are not legally or industry-wide established categories but serve as an analytical framework in this series to organize the scope of freight forwarders' involvement.

Standard Five Classifications	Possible Tasks Related to Equasis	Judgments or Guarantees Usually Excluded	Reference Documents for Scope of Responsibility	Practical Points of Attention
Simple Intermediary	Obtaining vessel name and IMO number from the shipping line, relaying Equasis search results to the cargo owner, transmitting additional documents	Guarantee of the vessel’s safety, creditworthiness of the shipowner, final judgment on insurance underwriting or seaworthiness	Quotations, emails, inquiry requests, response records	Do not confuse the transmission of information with guaranteeing its content
Cargo Transportation Service Provider	Confirming vessels used for self-arranged transport, referring to class society and PSC information for transportation risk management	Guarantee of Equasis information completeness, assurance that accidents will not occur, substitute certification for class societies or PSC authorities	Transportation clauses, carriage contracts, quotation terms, vessel space booking records	Distinguish between the duty of care under the carriage contract and any absolute guarantee of vessel safety
NVOCC / House B/L Issuer	Identifying the actual vessel for House B/L cargo, cross-referencing Master B/L, shipping line data, and IMO number, confirming vessel information in case of accidents	Guarantee of all acts by actual shipowners and managers, determination of carrier liability solely based on PSC or class society information	House B/L, Master B/L, NVOCC clauses, shipping line responses	Carrier on the House B/L may differ from the registered owner, operator, or ship manager
Door-to-Door Single Contractor	Confirming vessels used in the ocean leg of door-to-door transport, explaining risks to the cargo owner, coordinating alternative vessels or additional conditions	Guarantee that vessel accidents, general average, or PSC detentions will not occur, acting as a proxy for insurance underwriting decisions	Door-to-Door contracts, quotation terms, transport clauses, vessel selection records	Even when contracted for the entire transport, final vessel suitability should not be confirmed by Equasis alone
Agent / Coordinator for Specific Operations	Investigating vessel information at the cargo owner’s request, additional inquiries with class societies, shipping lines, and P&I Clubs, organizing investigation results	Final judgments on chartering approval beyond delegation scope, insurance underwriting, legal responsibilities, seaworthiness, or recoverability	Power of attorney, investigation requests, work instructions, reports, emails	Clearly distinguish between investigation outsourcing, information organization, and expert judgment

Contracting Carrier and Actual Carrier are legal or contractual positions and do not replace the Standard Five Classifications presented in this article as alternative categories.

Furthermore, the operational tasks of searching Equasis, verifying IMO numbers, checking PSC histories, inquiries to class societies, confirming P&I coverage, internal recording of search results, and information transmission to cargo owners do not in themselves constitute a sixth classification.

Even if a freight forwarder searches Equasis and provides class society, PSC, or manager-related information to the cargo owner, this action alone does not place them in a position to guarantee the vessel’s safety, seaworthiness, shipowner creditworthiness, insurance underwriting eligibility, or accident prevention.

The specific scope of involvement should be confirmed based on quotations, carriage contracts, B/Ls, transport clauses, delegation details, emails, investigation reports, and actual handling.

Restrictions on Using Equasis Data

Being able to view information on Equasis does not mean you can freely copy, reproduce, redistribute, or commercially use the data.

The terms of use for Equasis restrict or prohibit commercial copying of data, large-scale or bulk downloads, and data retrieval by web robots or automated programs.

Usage Method	Points to Note	Practical Response
Manual Search of Individual Vessels	Use for routine business checks	Search relevant cases within the scope of the terms of use
Bulk or Mass Downloads	Avoid mechanical acquisition of the entire database or many vessels	Consider formal usage permissions or alternative data services if needed
Web Robots or Automated Retrieval	Do not use scraping or automated crawling methods	Do not link data automatically into internal systems
External Republishing of Search Results	Do not reproduce search screens in publicly accessible materials without permission	Check terms of use and obtain necessary permissions before external submission
Commercial Redistribution	Do not resell acquired data as products or databases	Distinguish original research results from raw Equasis data
Saving for Internal Records	Differentiate between saving confirmation dates and decision processes and external redistribution	Keep records to the minimum necessary and manage access rights

Even when saving search results as evidence for contract screening, chartering evaluation, or insurance underwriting, it is not always permitted to distribute Equasis screens or data freely outside the organization.

If search results are to be republished in contracts, customer reports, insurance underwriting materials, public articles, or external databases, confirm the latest terms of use and check whether permission is required.

Sources of Information and Limitations of Equasis

Equasis is a system that consolidates ship safety-related information from existing public and private sources.

Its extensive data and ability to display multiple pieces of information on a single screen are useful; however, the following limitations exist.

Limitation	Potential Issues	Practical Measures
Update Lag	Changes in shipowner, management company, classification society, P&I, etc. may not be reflected	Obtain the latest certificates and responses from relevant companies
Source Discrepancies	Names, dates, or company affiliations may not match	Verify the source and the date of the last update
Missing Information	Some vessel or company data may not be displayed	Check directly with classification societies, flag states, shipping lines, etc.
Summary Display	Details of PSC findings and corrective actions cannot be grasped	Refer to detailed information from each PSC authority
No Guarantee of Safety	Accidents may occur despite favorable information	Conduct a comprehensive assessment including vessel specifications, certificates, and performance records
Limits of Legal Evidential Value	Responsibility, seaworthiness, and insurance applicability cannot be determined	Judge based on official documents, expert opinions, and contractual agreements
Focus on Past Information	Future safety and operational quality are not guaranteed	Confirm recent management status and supplementary documents

Equasis is not a source for definitive judgments; rather, it serves as an entry point to decide on further verifications.

Order of Verification When Information Does Not Match

Verification Order	Reference Materials / Information Sources	Main Points to Verify	Notes
1	IMO number of the vessel in question	Whether it is the same vessel	Do not rely solely on the ship name match
2	Official information from the classification society	Latest classification, classification status	Check the validity date of the official certificate
3	Official information from PSC authorities	Inspections, findings, detentions, corrective actions	Verify the applicable regional MOU
4	Shipping line / ship management company	Shipowner, management company, operational status	Obtain written response or certification
5	P&I Club	Latest membership status	Confirm membership certificate and insurance period
6	Insurance company, surveyor, lawyer	Underwriting, cause of accident, liability, claims	Obtain expert judgment on a case-by-case basis

Common Practical Issues

Case	Main Cause	Reference Materials	Key Evaluation Points	Initial Response
Discovered a different vessel due to a name change	Search based only on vessel name	B/L, IMO number, previous vessel names	Whether the vessel in question is the same	Search again using the IMO number
PSC detention record identified after contract conclusion	No pre-contract investigation conducted	Equasis, detailed PSC information, charter agreement	Timing of detention, details, corrective actions taken	Make additional inquiries to the shipowner, insurer, and cargo owner
Frequent changes in ship management company	Change of shipowner, management restructuring, management issues	Management company history, PSC, class society	Reason for changes and relation to accidents or deficiencies	Confirm the latest management company and management system
Discrepancies between Equasis and P&I information	Time lag in updates, insurance renewal, shipowner change	Certificate of insurance, Equasis data, company response	Which information is the most current	Directly confirm with the P&I Club or shipping line
Judged a vessel as high-risk based only on the number of PSC findings	Did not verify details and severity of findings	PSC details, detention history, corrective action records	Number, content, recency, recurrence	Classify the findings and reassess the risk
Decided insurance acceptance based solely on Equasis	Mistook search results for insurance certificates	Insurance standards, class certificates, P&I, vessel details	Whether all documents required for underwriting are available	Submit additional documents to the insurance company
Did not record the confirmation date	Viewed search results only without saving them	Internal records, emails, project documents	At what point in time the information was judged	Conduct a new search and establish record-keeping procedures going forward
Mass acquired search results without permission	Automated or bulk collection of data	Terms of use, system logs	Whether usage conditions were violated	Stop automated collection and confirm the formal usage methods

Example 1: Mistaken Identification of the Vessel Due to Name Change

A freight forwarder searched Equasis using only the vessel name provided by the shipping line, but a different vessel with the same name appeared in the search results.

The search results showed a history of PSC detentions, leading the responsible person to conclude that the subject vessel had serious safety issues.

However, when the IMO number listed on the B/L draft was compared with the IMO number in the search results, it was confirmed that these referred to different vessels.

When verifying the vessel, even if the vessel name is used as the initial search criterion, the target vessel should ultimately be identified by cross-checking the IMO number, flag, vessel type, year of build, and other details.

Example 2: When a PSC Detention History Is Discovered After a Charter Party Contract

After concluding a spot charter party contract, the shipper requested confirmation of the vessel's safety, and upon searching Equasis, it was found that the vessel in question had a recent PSC detention history.

The mere fact of a detention history does not necessarily indicate current safety issues. However, since this was not checked before the contract, it created challenges regarding explaining the situation to the shipper, insurance underwriting, and the possibility of arranging an alternative vessel.

The responsible person further investigated the deficiencies noted at the time of detention, the status of corrective actions, subsequent PSC inspections, the current class status, managing company, and P&I membership.

When engaging in spot chartering or using shipowners with whom there is no regular business, it is necessary to check Equasis and the regional PSC information before concluding the contract.

Example 3: When Equasis and P&I Membership Certificates Do Not Match

After a vessel accident, the P&I-related information on Equasis did not match the Club listed on the membership certificate submitted by the shipping line.

Possible causes include insurance renewal, changes of shipowner, changes in the management company, or time lags in updating Equasis.

In accident response, responsibility insurers should not be determined solely by the display on Equasis. Instead, the shipping line should be asked for the latest Certificate of Entry, and if necessary, direct confirmation with the relevant P&I Club should be obtained.

Equasis serves as a useful starting point to detect inconsistencies, but the final confirmation of insurance coverage should be based on the latest official documents.

Example 4: Misjudging Risk Based Solely on the Number of PSC Deficiencies

When comparing two candidate vessels, one had multiple PSC deficiencies noted, while the other had almost none.

At first glance, based on the number of cases, the former seemed riskier; however, upon closer inspection, the deficiencies were minor and already corrected, whereas the latter had a history of detention due to serious fire safety equipment deficiencies.

PSC information should be evaluated not only by the number of deficiencies but also by the nature of the issues, whether detention occurred, the timing of inspections, corrective actions taken, and the recurrence of similar deficiencies.

Common Misunderstandings

Misunderstanding	Actual Concept	Practical Notes
Equasis is a database of classification societies	It is an information system that consolidates data not only from classification societies but also from PSC, shipowners, management companies, etc.	Official classification confirmation should be obtained from the classification society
If the ship name matches, it is the same ship	Since there can be ships with the same name or name changes, it is necessary to confirm the IMO number	Verify against the IMO number on the B/L, etc.
A ship with many PSC findings is always dangerous	Look beyond the number of findings to the content, recency, detention status, and corrective actions	Evaluate by classifying the severity of situations
If there is a detention history, the ship cannot be used	It is necessary to check the reasons for detention and subsequent corrective measures	Confirm the latest inspection results and classification status
Accidents will not occur if classification is valid	Classification does not fully guarantee safety	Check together with PSC results, management company, ship age, etc.
The companies displayed on Equasis are always the Carrier shown on the B/L	Shipowner, management company, operator, and carrier may be different	Confirm the B/L and the applicable transport clauses
Equasis can confirm P&I membership	There may be delays in renewal timing, so up-to-date proof of membership is necessary	Confirm with the P&I club or shipping line
Insurance claim approval can be determined solely from Equasis	Verification of accident cause, policy clauses, and causal relationships is required	Consult with the insurance company and surveyor
Equasis alone can prove seaworthiness violations	PSC and classification information serve only as reference materials and do not determine specific conditions at the time of accident	Check accident reports, voyage records, and classification documents
If a freight forwarder conducts a search, it means the ship’s safety is guaranteed	Searching or providing information alone does not guarantee safety, seaworthiness, shipowner credibility, or accident-free status	Record scope of engagement, explanation content, and whether expert judgment was provided
Search results can be freely reproduced	There are usage restrictions on copying, redistribution, commercial use, and automated data acquisition	Check the latest Terms of Use
Because there is a lot of data, it is always up-to-date	There can be timing differences depending on data sources and update schedules	Directly reconfirm critical information
Simply performing a search constitutes investigation documentation	It is necessary to record the confirmation date, IMO number, search conditions, and results	Save investigation sheets for each case

Decision Checklist

Confirmation Scene	Party / Information Source to Confirm	Items to Confirm	Actions if Issues Arise
When Presenting Vessel Candidates	Shipping line, Freight forwarder	Vessel name, IMO number, vessel type, year built	Reacquire vessel information
When Searching Equasis	Equasis	Match between vessel name and IMO number	If mismatched, stop search and verify
When Confirming Classification	Equasis, Classification Society	Classification society, validity of classification	Obtain official certificate
When Checking PSC	Equasis, Regional MOU	Inspection date, findings, detentions, correction status	Confirm detailed report and shipping line response
When Confirming Management Company	Equasis, Shipping line	Ship Manager, ISM Manager, change history	Verify latest management company and DOC
When Confirming Freight Forwarder Involvement	Quotation, Transport contract, B/L, Delegation documents	Extent of entrusted tasks: search proxy, information provision, transport arrangements, expert judgments	Clarify scope of engagement and non-guaranteed items
Before Charter Agreement	Shipowner, Broker, Insurer	Classification, P&I, PSC, vessel age	Review contract terms or candidate vessels
Before Insurance Underwriting	Insurance company, Insurance agent	Vessel conditions, older vessel conditions, supplementary documents	Obtain prior approval or amend conditions
When Accident Occurs	Shipping line, Classification Society, P&I	Accident vessel, management company, classification, insurance	Collect official documentation
During General Average	Adjuster, Insurance company	Basic vessel information and accident summary	Cross-check with General Average documentation
When Considering Claims Recovery	Lawyer, P&I, Carrier	Responsible party, cause of accident, deadlines	Preserve evidence and issue notifications
When Information Mismatches	Official information sources	Update dates, official certificates, current related companies	Do not decide based on Equasis alone
When Saving Search Results	Internal Manager	Purpose of use, storage scope, access rights	Store minimally as necessary
When Reproducing Externally	Equasis Terms of Use	Permission for copying, reproduction, commercial use	Confirm necessary permissions

Situations When Consultation with Experts Is Advisable

• When recent PSC detentions or significant deficiencies in safety equipment have been identified
• When ship classification is suspended, revoked, or classification information is inconsistent
• When acceptance or rejection of the vessel impacts marine cargo insurance underwriting conditions
• When concerns arise about conditions related to aged vessels, classification, or prior approvals
• When considering the relationship between fire, grounding, collision, engine failure, etc., and past PSC findings
• When disputes concern the establishment of General Average, cost sharing, or the reasonableness of General Average acts
• When relationships among the shipowner, operator, management company, and Carrier named on the B/L are unclear
• When P&I membership information is inconsistent
• When judging seaworthiness, carrier liability, or claims potential
• When disputes involve the freight forwarder’s investigation duties, disclosure obligations, or scope of transportation contract liability
• When acquiring large volumes of Equasis data, reposting, redistributing, or using it systemically

Important Points

• Equasis is free to use, but user registration is generally required to search for vessels or companies.
• Target vessels are identified not only by vessel name but also by IMO number.
• Be cautious of vessel name changes, vessels with the same name, and similar vessel names.
• Classification society, flag, shipowner, management company, and P&I information may change.
• PSC information should be reviewed not only for the number of deficiencies but also for their content, detentions, recency, recurrence, and corrective actions.
• There may be time lags or omissions in updates from the information sources within Equasis data.
• Decisions on chartering, insurance underwriting, carrier liability, seaworthiness, or General Average should not be based solely on Equasis information.
• Searches and information provided by freight forwarders do not guarantee vessel safety or shipowner credibility.
• Important information should be confirmed directly with classification societies, PSC authorities, shipping lines, management companies, or P&I Clubs.
• Record the confirmation date, search criteria, IMO number, confirmation results, and any additional follow-up actions.
• Do not reproduce, bulk download, automatically collect, or redistribute Equasis data for commercial purposes; always check the latest terms of use.

Summary

• Equasis is an international public ship information search system that allows users to check safety and quality information of vessels and shipping-related companies.
• The Equasis initiative started in 1997 and has been operational since 2000.
• Its objectives include the elimination of substandard ships, improvement of maritime safety, and enhancement of market transparency.
• Information on over 85,000 vessels is registered, with data consolidated from more than 50 information sources.
• Users can verify not only classification society information but also ship registration, shipowners, management companies, operators, PSC inspections, detention history, and more.
• Since vessel names may change, it is important to identify the target vessel by its IMO number when conducting searches.
• Classification data includes the classification society, validity of classification, classification changes, and consistency with vessel type.
• PSC information covers the most recent inspection date, number of deficiencies, details of deficiencies, detention history, repeated deficiencies, and corrective actions.
• For voyages to and from Japan or Asia-Pacific routes, it is common to cross-check information with Tokyo MOU or APCIS data.
• A change in vessel management company alone should not be considered a risk; evaluations should include classification, PSC, and accident history.
• In chartering or vessel space arrangement, Equasis can serve as an initial tool for vessel risk assessment before contracting.
• For marine cargo insurance, general average, vessel accidents, carrier liability, and subrogation practices, Equasis is useful for verifying basic vessel information.
• The scope of freight forwarder involvement is organized according to the Standard Five Classifications: Simple Intermediary, Cargo Transportation Service Provider, NVOCC / House B/L Issuer, Door-to-Door Single Contractor, and Agent / Coordinator for Specific Operations.
• “Contracting Carrier” and “Actual Carrier” refer to legal and contractual positions and do not replace the Standard Five Classifications.
• The practical tasks of Equasis searching, IMO number verification, PSC confirmation, and additional inquiries do not constitute a sixth classification.
• A freight forwarder merely conducting an Equasis search does not assume responsibility for guaranteeing vessel safety, seaworthiness, shipowner creditworthiness, insurance acceptance, or absence of incidents.
• Equasis does not substitute for classification certificates, P&I certificates of entry, accident reports, or general average documentation.
• Because Equasis information may have update lags or omissions, critical details should be confirmed directly from official sources.
• When saving search results, record the confirmation date, IMO number, search conditions, and reasoning.
• Commercial reproduction, bulk or mass downloading, automated data retrieval by web robots, or unauthorized redistribution of Equasis data are prohibited.
• When reproducing search results in external documents, verify the latest terms of use and whether permission is required.
• Equasis is not a certificate for final decisions but a vessel risk verification tool to guide further confirmation.

When using Equasis, do not rely solely on vessel names; use the IMO number to identify the target vessel, and check classification, PSC, management company, registration, vessel age, and data update timing.

If serious PSC deficiencies, detention history, classification issues, data inconsistencies, or vessel accidents are identified, consult the classification society, shipping line, P&I Club, insurance company, insurance agent, surveyor, or maritime attorney.

This article explains a general method for confirming vessel safety information using Equasis and does not guarantee the safety, seaworthiness, charter eligibility, insurance underwriting, insurance claim payments, general average establishment, carrier liability, or subrogation results for the subject vessel. Actual judgments should be made individually based on the latest Equasis data, classification certificates, PSC documents, vessel particulars, P&I certificates, Bills of Lading, transport contracts, insurance clauses, accident reports, survey reports, and expert opinions.