SOLAS Regulation on Lifting appliances and Loose gears
Overview of the Regulation
This circular outlines the new SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13 adopted by Resolution
MSC.532(107) & supplemented by the IMO
MSC.1/Circ.1663. regarding lifting appliances, coming into force on 1 January 2026. The new regulation addresses the design, construction, installation, operation, maintenance, inspection, testing, and documentation of lifting appliances onboard ships to enhance safety standards.
Applicability:
Applies to all lifting appliances permanently installed on ships and used for cargo, stores, personnel, tenders, etc.
In general, also applies to other loose lifting appliances with a SWL (Safe Working Load) of less than 1,000kg, unless otherwise stated by the flag Administration.
Equipment Covered
Following equipment (but not limited to) are covered under this regulation.
Ship’s load handling equipment used for loading, transfer and discharge of cargo like cargo cranes, cargo derricks, conveyors, cargo excavators.
Moveable ramps and decks when lifted with cargo
Hatch cover and bulkhead cranes
Engine room cranes
Stores/ provision cranes
Hose handling cranes
Tender/workboat cranes and davits
Cranes used for personnel handling (incl. Suez mooring boat crane/ davit)
Compliance Timeline
Lifting appliances installed before 1 Jan 2026:
Must be certified as compliant with new SOLAS requirements after load testing and thorough examination not later than first renewal survey on/ after 1 Jan
2026. In case of lifting appliances with valid certificate of test and thorough examination under another international instrument acceptable to Administration issued prior 1 Jan. 2026, the Certificate can be issued without the test and examination with remaining validity of the existing certificate.
Thereafter, must comply with maintenance, operation, inspection, and testing requirements.
Lifting appliances installed after 1 Jan 2026:
Must be certified through full compliance including design, construction, and installation requirements before being put into service for the first time and thereafter must meet full compliance maintenance, operation, inspection, and testing requirements.
Inspection, Testing and Operation Requirements
| Activity | Frequency | By Whom |
| Load Test (lifting appliances) | Upon installation, then every 5 years | Competent Person* |
| Proof Test (loose gear) | Initial and as required | Competent Person* |
| Thorough Examination(lifting appliances & loose gear) | Initial/five year (and postload test or proof test) & Annually | Competent Person* |
| RoutineMaintenance/Inspection/Testing | As per PMS/ manufacturer/industryguidance | Responsible Person* |
| Operation of lifting appliances and loose gears | When in operation | Operating Personnel* |
Thorough examinations of lifting appliances and associated loose gear are not required to coincide with the ship’s periodical surveys, nor do they require attendance by a surveyor at the time of examination. However, verification by the attending surveyor must be carried out during the subsequent periodical ship survey.
*Definitions:
Competent Person: A shore person possessing the knowledge and experience required for the performance of duties specified in these Guidelines and acceptable as such to the Administration.
Responsible Person: A ship’s staff appointed by the Master or Company, as appropriate, possessing the knowledge and experience required for the performance of duties specified in these Guidelines.
Operating Personnel: The Master should appoint and authorize personnel who are operating lifting appliances . Personnel involved in lifting operations which utilize loose gear should be qualified, familiarized with the equipment and be authorized by the Master.
Actions for Ship Staff
Operational Actions
Ensure all operators are trained and authorized by the Master. Personnel involved in lifting operations which utilize loose gear should be qualified & familiarized with the equipment and be authorized by the master .
Follow procedures in operational manuals during lifting operations.
Conduct operations under planned, supervised conditions to reduce the identified risks.
The operator should follow and consider the below points.
Aware of the job role and signals used during the use of lifting equipment.
Should have worn proper PPE.
Should be aware of any limiting conditions like motion, inclination, wind speed, weather condition, safe slew radius etc.
Effective communication between operator and signaller.
Secure and stow lifting equipment during sea passage to avoid uncontrolled movement.
Maintenance, Inspection and Markings
Responsible person to conduct inspections and functional tests as per PMS. Examples of inspection (but not limited to) are given below.
Corrosion and damage of primary structural members, including crane
jibs, crane housings (slewing column), pedestals and foundations/foundation connections, including welds and bolts.
wear, corrosion and damage of mechanical components including winches, hydraulic cylinders, slew bearings, sheaves and pins.
correct setting and functioning of safety, protection and limitation devices.
condition and correct functioning of the lifting appliance as a whole and, in particular, hydraulic or pneumatic arrangements, hydraulic/pneumatic cylinders, motors, hoses, piping, winches, brakes and drums.
corrosion and damage to all means of safe access to the lifting appliances including attached maintenance platforms and extensions, with particular attention to support brackets and welds.
certification and identification of ropes.
check whether lifting gear has been being adequately lubricated of all moving parts.
Wire ropes – Care and maintenance, inspection and discard
Operation and maintenance manual of lifting appliances should be available on board.
The SWL and other essential information (e.g. max./min. slewing radius or boom angle, direction of heaving / lowering) along with any limitations, should be permanently/clearly marked in a conspicuous place on the lifting appliance and should be available to the operator.
Loose gear should be clearly and permanently marked / tagged with its unique identification (serial no.), the SWL and any additional marks required for safe use. Additionally, specific types of loose gear should be marked with rope diameter, rigging plan identification mark (for block and hook blocks), tare/ original weight, allowable angles of rigging details of safe application of SWL with consideration of Sling angle and Weight factor (SWK) for lifting beams, spreaders, frames, tare weight (for grabs). If there is insufficient space for the marking on the loose gear other than the SWL, the omitted information should be included in the certificate or be provided by other suitable means.
Mark lifting appliances and loose gear “NOT TO BE USED” if Responsible Person, on completion of a routine inspection, considers it unsafe for the operation, till the equipment is restored. The change of status should be recorded each time in the Register of Lifting appliances. The Master should take proper action for the inoperable
lifting appliances and loose gears (i.e. consider these into account when planning/executing voyage, prevent the operation / use of the appliances, prevent uncontrolled movement using appropriate means of restraining, store the loose gears separately)
Keep records of all maintenance, inspection, and operational tests in Chain register
Actions for Technical Team (Shore-Based)
Documentation and Record keeping
Ensure all lifting appliances and loose gear are permanently marked with SWL and, where applicable, include variable radius data and load charts visible to the operator.
Maintain valid certificates of load/proof tests and thorough examinations, issued and authenticated by a Competent Person, for all lifting appliances and loose gear.
Ensure that up-to-date maintenance and operational manuals are available onboard for reference by ship staff, as provided by the manufacturer.
Where maintenance manuals for existing lifting appliances are not available from the manufacturer, the Technical Superintendent should liaise with a competent third party to obtain or prepare the required manual.
Keep detailed rigging plans and a Register of Lifting Appliances, listing all certified equipment and configurations used on board.
Retain comprehensive records (as stated in Section 9) of all inspections, load/proof tests, and maintenance activities, documented in formats approved by class or manufacturer, and available for audit.
Update Planned Maintenance System (PMS) to include inspection, testing, and maintenance routines for lifting gear as per manufacturer/class
guidance.
Surveys and Certification
Schedule required load tests for all existing lifting appliances to coincide with the first renewal survey on or after 1 January 2026.
Liaise with the ship’s Classification Society/RO to confirm surveyor attendance and flag-specific requirements related to compliance verification.
Verify that all newly procured loose gear is delivered with valid proof test certificates and same is properly recorded in the onboard lifting gear register.
Summary of Required Documents/Records to be maintained onboard
| Document / Record | Applicability | Retention |
| SWL Certificate | Lifting appliances & loose gear | Permanent |
| Test/Thorough Examination Certificates | All lifting appliances & loose gears | Lifting app:5 years Loose gears: Permanent |
| Maintenance & Operation Manuals | All lifting appliances | Permanent |
| Rigging Plans & block list | If applicable | Permanent |
| Register BD4 | As per the guidelines stated in it. | Continuous |
| Chain Register | As per the guidelines stated init. | Continuous |