{"id":3286,"date":"2026-09-12T03:54:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-12T03:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/?p=3286"},"modified":"2026-09-12T03:54:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T03:54:14","slug":"ship-sanitation-control-certificate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Ship Sanitation Control Certificate is a document that proves a ship has been inspected for health risks like pests, contaminated water, or poor food storage, and that any problems found have been fixed. Ports issue it under WHO health rules, and every ship on an international voyage needs one to sail without delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before 2007, ships carried a derating certificate or a derating exemption certificate instead. When the International Health Regulations (2005) came into force worldwide on 15 June 2007, these older documents were replaced by the Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and its counterpart, the Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate. WHO also revised the Regulations again in 2024, and those amendments took effect globally on 19 September 2025, so the framework behind this certificate is genuinely current, not something that has sat untouched for two decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#Why_Does_a_Ship_Need_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate\" >Why Does a Ship Need a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#What_Is_the_Difference_Between_an_SSCC_and_an_SSCEC\" >What Is the Difference Between an SSCC and an SSCEC?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#Who_Issues_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate_in_India\" >Who Issues a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate in India?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#How_Do_You_Apply_for_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate\" >How Do You Apply for a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#What_Documents_Do_You_Need_for_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate\" >What Documents Do You Need for a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#What_Happens_During_the_Ship_Sanitation_Inspection\" >What Happens During the Ship Sanitation Inspection?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#How_Long_Is_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate_Valid\" >How Long Is a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate Valid?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#Can_You_Extend_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate\" >Can You Extend a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#What_Happens_if_a_Ship_Sails_Without_a_Valid_Certificate\" >What Happens if a Ship Sails Without a Valid Certificate?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#What_Should_You_Check_Before_a_Ship_Sanitation_Inspection\" >What Should You Check Before a Ship Sanitation Inspection?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#Does_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate_apply_to_fishing_vessels\" >Does a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate apply to fishing vessels?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#Is_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate_the_same_as_free_pratique\" >Is a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate the same as free pratique?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#Can_a_private_yacht_get_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate_in_India\" >Can a private yacht get a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate in India?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#Does_dry-docking_affect_my_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate\" >Does dry-docking affect my Ship Sanitation Control Certificate?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#What_does_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate_cost_in_India\" >What does a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate cost in India?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#Is_the_certificate_required_for_vessels_sailing_only_within_India\" >Is the certificate required for vessels sailing only within India?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#Can_I_see_a_sample_of_the_actual_certificate_format\" >Can I see a sample of the actual certificate format?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#What_happens_if_my_ship_fails_the_inspection_outright\" >What happens if my ship fails the inspection outright?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#Does_the_flag_state_matter_for_who_inspects_the_ship\" >Does the flag state matter for who inspects the ship?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/#Can_an_agent_apply_for_the_certificate_on_the_ships_behalf\" >Can an agent apply for the certificate on the ship&#8217;s behalf?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Does_a_Ship_Need_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate\"><\/span>Why Does a Ship Need a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Timeline-showing-Deratting-Certificate-replaced-by-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-in-2007-1024x512.png\" alt=\"Timeline showing Deratting Certificate replaced by Ship Sanitation Control Certificate in 2007\" class=\"wp-image-3287 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Timeline-showing-Deratting-Certificate-replaced-by-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-in-2007-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Timeline-showing-Deratting-Certificate-replaced-by-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-in-2007-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Timeline-showing-Deratting-Certificate-replaced-by-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-in-2007-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Timeline-showing-Deratting-Certificate-replaced-by-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-in-2007-1536x768.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Timeline-showing-Deratting-Certificate-replaced-by-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-in-2007.png 1774w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/512;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ships move between countries fast, and disease can move just as fast if nobody checks. Rats, mosquitoes, and a contaminated water tank on one vessel can put an entire port city at risk within days. Article 39 of the WHO&#8217;s International Health Regulations set up ship inspections specifically to catch this before it happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The certificate looks at more than rodents. Inspectors check food storage, drinking water quality, waste handling, and general pest evidence together. A port that skips this check risks becoming the entry point for an outbreak, which is exactly why Port State Control officers treat an expired sanitation certificate as seriously as an expired fire safety certificate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This topic also shows up in officer training, not just port operations. Future chief engineers sitting the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/meo-class-i-preparatory-course-syllabus\/\"> MEO Class-I preparatory course syllabus<\/a> study WHO health regulations and Ship Sanitation Certificates as a scored part of their global public health module.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_the_Difference_Between_an_SSCC_and_an_SSCEC\"><\/span>What Is the Difference Between an SSCC and an SSCEC?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both documents come from the exact same inspection. Which one you get depends entirely on what the inspector finds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>SSCEC (Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>SSCC (Ship Sanitation Control Certificate)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Issued when<\/td><td>Inspection finds no health risk<\/td><td>A risk was found and then successfully controlled<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>What it confirms<\/td><td>Ship is free of infection sources, vectors, and contamination<\/td><td>Control measures (fumigation, disinfection, deratting) worked<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Extra action needed<\/td><td>None<\/td><td>Measures must be verified before issue<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Validity<\/td><td>6 months<\/td><td>6 months<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Extension<\/td><td>Up to 1 month, if inspection isn&#8217;t possible and no risk evidence exists<\/td><td>Same, 1 month, same condition<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A ship holding a control certificate rather than an exemption certificate is not automatically a risky ship. Water tanks get contaminated and pests get aboard even on well-run vessels. What a port official actually cares about is whether the problem got fixed and checked, and that is exactly what the certificate proves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_Issues_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate_in_India\"><\/span>Who Issues a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate in India?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Port Health Organisations, working under India&#8217;s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, issue the certificate at ports the WHO has specifically authorised for this purpose. Not every Indian port qualifies for this. As things stand, nine Indian ports appear on WHO&#8217;s official list for issuing the certificate, its exemption version, or an extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Port<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>UN\/LOCODE<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Region<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mumbai<\/td><td>INBOM<\/td><td>West coast<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nhava Sheva (JNPT)<\/td><td>INNHV<\/td><td>Navi Mumbai<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kandla<\/td><td>INIXY<\/td><td>Gujarat<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Goa (Marmagoa)<\/td><td>INMRM<\/td><td>West coast<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cochin<\/td><td>INCOK<\/td><td>Kerala<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tuticorin<\/td><td>INTUT<\/td><td>Tamil Nadu<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Chennai<\/td><td>INMAA<\/td><td>Tamil Nadu<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Visakhapatnam<\/td><td>INVIG<\/td><td>Andhra Pradesh<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kolkata<\/td><td>INCCU<\/td><td>West Bengal<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Map-of-India-showing-WHO-authorised-ports-issuing-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificates-1-1024x683.png\" alt=\"Map of India showing WHO-authorised ports issuing Ship Sanitation Control Certificates\" class=\"wp-image-3290 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Map-of-India-showing-WHO-authorised-ports-issuing-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificates-1-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Map-of-India-showing-WHO-authorised-ports-issuing-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificates-1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Map-of-India-showing-WHO-authorised-ports-issuing-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificates-1-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Map-of-India-showing-WHO-authorised-ports-issuing-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificates-1.png 1536w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These same Port Health Organisations also handle free pratique, medicine chest certificates, and health screening for yellow fever and other diseases of international concern, so a single visit often covers more than sanitation alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Coastal vessels create a separate problem. A ship trading only along the Indian coast might call at a small port with no Port Health Officer posted there at all. DGMA addressed this through its<a href=\"https:\/\/dgma.gov.in\/maritime-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> 2018 order on the subject<\/a>. Where a Port Health Officer isn&#8217;t available, a DGMA-authorised Medical Examiner can issue a Statement of Compliance instead of the SSCC or SSCEC. If no such examiner is around either, the ship&#8217;s master can issue the statement and get it endorsed by an authorised examiner at the next opportunity. You can check who qualifies as an authorised examiner through indosearch&#8217;s<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/doctors\/\"> DGMA-approved doctors list<\/a>, the same directory seafarers use to confirm a medical certificate actually came from an approved provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DGMA&#8217;s role here fits inside a bigger shift. For the full set of changes now in force, indosearch&#8217;s<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/indian-merchant-shipping-ms-rules-acts-2025\/\"> rundown of the 2025 Merchant Shipping Rules and Act updates<\/a> covers how most certification processes moved onto a single digital portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_You_Apply_for_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate\"><\/span>How Do You Apply for a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flowchart-of-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-application-and-inspection-steps-1024x512.png\" alt=\"Flowchart of Ship Sanitation Control Certificate application and inspection steps\" class=\"wp-image-3288 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flowchart-of-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-application-and-inspection-steps-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flowchart-of-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-application-and-inspection-steps-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flowchart-of-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-application-and-inspection-steps-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flowchart-of-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-application-and-inspection-steps-1536x768.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Flowchart-of-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-application-and-inspection-steps.png 1774w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/512;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The process follows a fixed sequence everywhere in the world, India included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Send advance notice.<\/strong> The ship&#8217;s agent submits a health declaration, usually as part of the FAL pre-arrival paperwork, naming the port and expected arrival time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Request the inspection.<\/strong> The agent contacts the Port Health Officer directly, sharing the ship&#8217;s IMO number, gross tonnage, flag, and the expiry date of the current certificate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prepare the ship.<\/strong> Crew clean galley areas, pull chlorination records for the water tanks, and gather pest control logs before the inspector steps aboard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Complete the Maritime Declaration of Health.<\/strong> The master fills this out and signs it, noting any illness or unusual health event from the recent voyage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Undergo the inspection.<\/strong> The officer checks food storage, drinking water systems, waste disposal, cabins, and any sign of rodents or insects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Receive the outcome.<\/strong> A clean inspection gets the exemption certificate right away. A flagged issue means control measures, like fumigation or tank disinfection, come first.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get the certificate issued.<\/strong> Once any required measures are verified, the officer issues the Ship Sanitation Control Certificate, valid for six months from that date.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tankers and container ships don&#8217;t always need to be empty for this. Cochin&#8217;s Port Health Organisation, for instance, inspects them fully loaded or carrying water ballast, since emptying a laden tanker just for an inspection isn&#8217;t practical for anyone involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Documents_Do_You_Need_for_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate\"><\/span>What Documents Do You Need for a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep these ready before the inspector arrives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Previous Ship Sanitation Control Certificate or Exemption Certificate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maritime Declaration of Health, signed by the master<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ship&#8217;s particulars: IMO number, gross tonnage, flag state, and port of registry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Crew list, and passenger list for passenger vessels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Potable water tank test and chlorination records<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pest control and fumigation records<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Waste management log<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medicine chest certificate, if its renewal falls around the same time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Missing paperwork won&#8217;t automatically fail an inspection, but it slows the process down and gives the officer reason to look harder at everything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Happens_During_the_Ship_Sanitation_Inspection\"><\/span>What Happens During the Ship Sanitation Inspection?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The officer works through a checklist based on<a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications-detail-redirect\/handbook-for-inspection-of-ships-and-issuance-of-ship-sanitation-certificates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> WHO&#8217;s own handbook for ship inspections<\/a>, split into two parts. One covers what the inspection system itself needs to meet. The other is the practical, ship-by-ship checklist inspectors actually carry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Expect the officer to check:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Galley and food storage areas, including temperature control and general cleanliness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drinking water supply, from the source tank right through to the taps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wastewater and garbage handling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swimming pools or spa areas, on passenger ships that carry them<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Crew accommodation and medical facilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any visible sign of rats, insects, or their droppings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A ship that keeps its own logs, water testing records, pest control visit reports, cleaning schedules, usually moves through the inspection faster. Inspectors trust a paper trail more than a fresh coat of paint applied the night before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Is_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate_Valid\"><\/span>How Long Is a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate Valid?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Six months from the date of issue, and this applies everywhere in the world. India follows the same rule through the Indian Port Health Rules, 1955, sitting alongside the WHO framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An expired sanitation certificate is one of the more common statutory slip-ups flagged during Port State Control checks, right alongside expired safety equipment certificates. It&#8217;s an easy one to miss because six months passes quickly on a busy trading pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_You_Extend_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate\"><\/span>Can You Extend a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Timeline-showing-6-month-validity-and-1-month-extension-of-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-1024x512.png\" alt=\"Timeline showing 6-month validity and 1-month extension of Ship Sanitation Control Certificate\" class=\"wp-image-3291 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Timeline-showing-6-month-validity-and-1-month-extension-of-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Timeline-showing-6-month-validity-and-1-month-extension-of-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Timeline-showing-6-month-validity-and-1-month-extension-of-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Timeline-showing-6-month-validity-and-1-month-extension-of-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate-1536x768.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Timeline-showing-6-month-validity-and-1-month-extension-of-Ship-Sanitation-Control-Certificate.png 1774w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/512;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, by up to one month, but only under specific conditions. The port where the certificate is due to expire has to be genuinely unable to carry out the inspection, and there has to be no evidence of a public health risk on board. A competent Port Health Authority grants this at its own discretion. It isn&#8217;t automatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Picture a bulk carrier sailing from Kandla toward Singapore with its certificate expiring somewhere near the Malacca Strait. If the next port can&#8217;t fit in an inspection in time and nothing points to a health risk, the officer there can grant the one-month extension so the voyage carries on without a forced detour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Happens_if_a_Ship_Sails_Without_a_Valid_Certificate\"><\/span>What Happens if a Ship Sails Without a Valid Certificate?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Port State Control officers treat an expired Ship Sanitation Control Certificate as a real deficiency. Depending on the port and flag state involved, this can lead to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Detention until a valid certificate or extension gets produced<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extra inspection of unrelated systems, since one expired statutory certificate invites a closer look at everything else<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Delay costs under the charter party, since off-hire clauses often apply during a detention<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complications with an insurance claim if a health-related incident happens while the certificate has lapsed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">None of that is worth the small amount of paperwork it takes to renew on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Should_You_Check_Before_a_Ship_Sanitation_Inspection\"><\/span>What Should You Check Before a Ship Sanitation Inspection?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Confirm the exact expiry date of the current certificate against your next few ports of call<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep the Maritime Declaration of Health ready and signed ahead of arrival<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Review potable water testing and chlorination logs from the last few months<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check pest control and fumigation records for any gaps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clean and organise galley and food storage areas ahead of time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have the ship&#8217;s IMO number, tonnage, and flag details ready for the agent&#8217;s request<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Notify the Port Health Officer or agent with enough advance time, especially at busier ports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ship managers who already track other statutory approvals, like the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/dgma-approved-bunker-supplier-list\/\"> DGMA-approved bunker supplier list<\/a>, tend to run the exact same check-before-you-arrive habit for sanitation certificates too. It&#8217;s the same instinct applied to a different document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span>FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1789134783247\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate_apply_to_fishing_vessels\"><\/span><strong>Does a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate apply to fishing vessels?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The core WHO requirement targets ships on international voyages carrying cargo or passengers. A fishing vessel that stays in domestic waters typically falls outside this requirement, though rules can vary once a vessel starts calling at foreign ports, so check with your flag state administration to be sure.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1789134811123\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate_the_same_as_free_pratique\"><\/span><strong>Is a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate the same as free pratique?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No, and mixing these up causes real confusion at berth. Free pratique is permission to bring the ship alongside and start operations after a health check on arrival. The Ship Sanitation Control Certificate is a longer-term document covering the ship&#8217;s overall sanitation standard, valid for six months.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1789134822111\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_private_yacht_get_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate_in_India\"><\/span><strong>Can a private yacht get a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate in India?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, if the yacht is making an international voyage. Large private and commercial yachts are routinely inspected by Port Health authorities when calling at major ports, and India&#8217;s Port Health Organisations follow the same practice.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1789134845377\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_dry-docking_affect_my_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate\"><\/span><strong>Does dry-docking affect my Ship Sanitation Control Certificate?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Not directly. Dry-docking targets the hull and machinery, not sanitation systems. But if yard work disturbs water tanks or galley areas, arranging a fresh inspection before the next voyage is worth doing anyway.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1789134859195\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_a_Ship_Sanitation_Control_Certificate_cost_in_India\"><\/span><strong>What does a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate cost in India?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Fees are set by the Port Health Organisation and vary by port and vessel size, so there&#8217;s no single fixed number worth quoting here. Confirm the current fee directly with the Port Health Officer at the port you&#8217;re calling at before you budget for the inspection.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1789134872211\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_the_certificate_required_for_vessels_sailing_only_within_India\"><\/span><strong>Is the certificate required for vessels sailing only within India?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Under the Indian Port Health Rules, 1955, yes, in many cases. The rules define &#8220;ship&#8221; broadly enough to include coastal trade vessels, not only ones on international voyages, which is exactly why DGMA&#8217;s Statement of Compliance option exists for smaller coastal ports.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1789134881143\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_see_a_sample_of_the_actual_certificate_format\"><\/span><strong>Can I see a sample of the actual certificate format?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. WHO publishes the model certificate as Annex 3 of the International Health Regulations, freely available on WHO&#8217;s website alongside the full inspection handbook.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1789134902748\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_my_ship_fails_the_inspection_outright\"><\/span><strong>What happens if my ship fails the inspection outright?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>It doesn&#8217;t get stranded. The officer lists the required control measures, the crew or a shore contractor carries them out, and a follow-up check confirms they worked before the certificate gets issued.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1789134916731\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_the_flag_state_matter_for_who_inspects_the_ship\"><\/span><strong>Does the flag state matter for who inspects the ship?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. The Port Health Organisation at the port of call carries out the inspection, regardless of the ship&#8217;s flag. Flag state involvement only comes in if a dispute or detention gets escalated further.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1789134931809\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_an_agent_apply_for_the_certificate_on_the_ships_behalf\"><\/span><strong>Can an agent apply for the certificate on the ship&#8217;s behalf?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, and this is normal practice. Most ships route the request through their local agent, who handles the advance notice, inspection booking, and fee payment with the Port Health Officer directly.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Ship Sanitation Control Certificate is a document that proves a ship has been inspected for health risks like pests, contaminated water, or poor food storage, and that any problems found have been fixed. Ports issue it under WHO health rules, and every ship on an international voyage needs one to sail without delay. Before &#8230; <a title=\"What Is a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/ship-sanitation-control-certificate\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about What Is a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3292,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[238],"class_list":["post-3286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marine","tag-ship-sanitation-control-certificate"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3286"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3286\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3294,"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3286\/revisions\/3294"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}