The Safety Management Certificate (SMC) is a statutory certificate issued under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, made mandatory by SOLAS Chapter IX. It certifies that an individual ship operates in compliance with the company’s approved Safety Management System (SMS).
What is the SMC?
The SMC is issued to a ship after it has been audited and found to be operating according to the Safety Management System (SMS) approved under the company’s Document of Compliance (DOC).
In simple terms:
DOC = proves the company has a working SMS.
SMC = proves each ship applies that SMS effectively.
Who Issues the SMC?
Issued by the Flag State Administration of the ship.
Often delegated to a Recognized Organization (RO), such as a classification society.
Requirements for Issuance
To obtain an SMC, a ship must:
- Carry a copy of the company’s valid DOC.
- Undergo an Initial Audit to verify SMS implementation onboard.
- Demonstrate crew familiarity with SMS procedures (safety drills, emergency response, maintenance, reporting, etc.).
Validity and Surveys
The SMC is valid for 5 years, subject to verification audits.
Intermediate Audit – must be carried out between the 2nd and 3rd year of validity.
Renewal Audit – conducted at the end of the 5-year period.
If audits are not passed, the SMC may be withdrawn or suspended.
Display Onboard
The original SMC must be kept onboard the ship at all times and presented during inspections by:
Port State Control (PSC) officers
Flag State inspectors
Class surveyors
Why the SMC is Important
- Regulatory Requirement – Mandatory under SOLAS and ISM Code.
- Safety Assurance – Confirms that the ship operates safely under the company’s SMS.
- Port State Control (PSC) Compliance – Absence of a valid SMC may result in detention.
- Commercial Requirement – Many charterers require proof of ISM compliance before hiring ships.
Difference Between DOC and SMC
Document of Compliance (DOC) Safety Management Certificate (SMC)
Issued to the company Issued to the ship
Proves company has an SMS Proves the ship applies SMS onboard
Valid for all ship types listed Valid for one specific ship
Conclusion
The Safety Management Certificate (SMC) is a vital ship-level document that ensures the Safety Management System (SMS) is not just theoretical but actively implemented onboard. Together with the company’s DOC, it forms the backbone of the ISM Code framework, linking shore management with safe shipboard operations
