ICS Class — Intermaritime Group
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Recognized Organization (RO) · High Performance
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ICS Class
ICS CLASS
Intermaritime Group · Classification Society
Home Who We Are
Independent Classification Society · Est. 2005 · Panama

Your fleet stays
compliant.
We make it happen.

ICS Class is a Recognized Organization (RO) and Recognized Security Organization (RSO) authorized by five flag states. We issue statutory and class certificates — with 54 surveyors at the world’s busiest ports, ready when you need them.

Flag State Authorizations
Panama (AMP) — since 2006
Belize (IMMARBE)
Honduras (DGMM)
Vanuatu
Guinea Bissau

21Years of experience
54Surveyors worldwide
5Flag state authorizations
300+Vessels certified

The independent alternative that
doesn’t cost you more to trust.

IACS member societies are not the only option. ICS Class delivers the same international certificate validity, the same technical rigour, the same PSC recognition — with a fundamentally different service model.

Response in hours, not weeks

Technical decisions come directly from our Head Office in Panama — no bureaucratic escalation. Inspection requests, plan approvals, and certificate issuance are processed through STELLA SCMS in a continuous workflow.

A surveyor at your port

54 qualified surveyors across East Asia (21), Eastern Med & Middle East (11), Latin America (7), South Asia (4), Southeast Asia (3), Western Europe (2), North America (2). Where we don’t have local coverage, we mobilize in under 48 hours.

Significantly lower fees

Our inspection, plan approval, and certificate issuance fees are substantially lower than IACS member societies — with identical international validity and recognition by all Port State Control MOU regions.

True multi-flag flexibility

Authorized as RO/RSO under Panama, Belize, Honduras, Vanuatu, and Guinea Bissau. If you’re considering a re-flag, we manage the transition from day one without interrupting class continuity.

What we certify — and what
that means for your vessel.

Without valid statutory and class certificates, your vessel cannot trade. Below is everything ICS Class covers.

01

Classification surveys

Initial, Annual, Intermediate, Special, Dry-Docking (DD), In-Water (IWS), and Propeller Shaft surveys. Certificate of Class valid for 5 years.

Certificate of Class
02

SOLAS & Load Lines

Statutory inspections and certificate issuance on behalf of flag administrations, including all recent SOLAS amendments for existing vessels.

CSSC · CSSE · CSSR · PSSC · ILL
03

MARPOL — All Annexes

Annual, intermediate, and renewal surveys. Plan review and approval including SOPEP, SMPEP, CBT, ODMC, COW.

IOPP · NLS · ISPP · IAPP
04

ISM Code

Safety management certification for companies and vessels. Assistance with interpretation, implementation, and familiarization of the ISM Code.

DOC · SMC (Interim / Short Term / Full)
05

ISPS Code

Full ISPS implementation support as RSO. Review and approval of SSA and SSP. Certificate of Shipboard Requirements issued.

ISSC · CSR (Interim / Short Term / Full)
06

MLC 2006

Authorized inspectors covering all five Titles. Minimum requirements, employment conditions, accommodation, health, and social security.

DMLC Part I & II · MLC Certificate
07

Transfer of class

Transfers from any society including IACS members, per IACS PR 1A. Documentary review, survey status check, transfer survey. Typical timeline: 2–4 weeks.

Transfer Survey · New Certificate of Class
08

Non-convention vessels

Certification for vessels under 500 GT under the national rules of each flag state. We advise on applicable certificates per vessel type.

National certificates per flag state
09

Consultancy

Ballast Water Management Plans, ISM/ISO 9001:2015 integration, ISPS security assessments, PCSOPEP preparation, ISM/ISO internal audits.

Technical reports & plans

The problems we keep
away from your operation.

A lapse in compliance is not just a paperwork problem. It means detention, fines, off-hire time, and P&I coverage gaps.

PSC detention

We keep certificates current across all MOU regions. If detention occurs, we activate a local surveyor within hours for the corrective action survey.

📋

Administrative fines

Continuous compliance with flag state requirements prevents sanctions against your company or master for expired or non-conforming documentation.

🛡

P&I coverage gaps

Certificates issued by ICS Class as an authorized RO are recognized by the major P&I Clubs. Your coverage stays intact regardless of port of call.

Off-hire from delays

Our local network means your vessel rarely waits. No costly mobilization fees from distant regions — most ports have a resident surveyor.

🔄

Class transfer risk

We manage transfers from any society per IACS PR 1A. No regulatory gaps, no continuity interruptions during the transition.

💬

Slow technical support

Direct communication between our Operations Department and the shipowner. No dependence on slow corporate channels or regional approvals.

Every certificate publicly verifiable.
Every authorization current.

Flag State Authorizations (RO / RSO)

Panama (AMP) — authorized since 2006. World’s largest open registry.
Belize (IMMARBE) — statutory inspection and certification.
Honduras (DGMM) — statutory surveys and class certification.
Vanuatu — RO/RSO authorized by Office of the Maritime Administrator.
Guinea Bissau — statutory and class certification.

Quality System & Memberships

ISO 9001:2015 — certified by Bureau Veritas.
IMO RO Code — fully compliant (MSC.349(92) / MEPC.237(65)).
IARO — member since June 2008.
IPIN — member since July 2012.
TSCI — full member since May 2015.

Conventions & codes we certify under

SOLAS 1974Load Lines 1966MARPOL I–VITonnage 1969AFS ConventionBWM ConventionISM CodeISPS CodeMLC 2006IMSBCIMDGIBC CodeIGC CodeNOx Technical CodeLSA CodeFSS CodeILO No. 152

Answers to the questions we hear
most before a contract is signed.

Yes. ICS Class acts as authorized RO/RSO under Panama, Belize, Honduras, Vanuatu, and Guinea Bissau. Our certificates are recognized by all PSC MOU regions: Tokyo, Paris, Viña del Mar, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Riyadh, Indian Ocean, Black Sea, and Abuja.
We activate a surveyor at the port of detention within hours to conduct the corrective action survey and support the release process. Our Head Office coordinates directly — no slow corporate channel required.
We follow IACS Procedural Requirement PR 1A: documentary review of the vessel file, verification of survey status and outstanding deficiencies, and a transfer survey. Typical timeline is 2 to 4 weeks. We accept transfers from any classification society, including IACS members.
Our inspection, plan approval, and certificate issuance fees are substantially lower than IACS member societies. The certificates carry the same international validity and are recognized by the same authorities. We provide specific quotations on request.
With 54 surveyors across the world’s main ports, in most cases yes. Our strongest coverage is East Asia (21 surveyors), Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (11), and Latin America (7). Where we don’t have a resident surveyor, we mobilize within 48 hours.
All certificates are publicly searchable at ecerts.icsclass.org — accessible to PSC officers, P&I Clubs, charterers, and port authorities at any time, 24/7.
Yes. As authorized RO and RSO, we issue DOC, SMC, and ISSC in Interim, Short Term, and Full Term modalities. Our MLC 2006 Inspectors cover all five Titles of the Convention and issue DMLC Part I & II and the MLC Certificate.
Yes. ICS Class certifies non-convention vessels under the national rules and regulations of each flag state. Contact our Head Office to confirm which certificates apply to your specific vessel.

Ready to keep your fleet in compliance?

Talk to our operations team. Whether you need a classification survey, a statutory renewal, a transfer of class, or just want to compare what ICS Class can offer — we respond the same business day.

Same business day response
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