Cabotage · Equivalence

Shipping companies need several documents and certificates for the operation of their sea-going vessels. The required certificates for ships on international voyages are stipulated in international conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC and others).

Shipping companies with ships under foreign flag operating within German maritime waters from German ports require a Cabotage Approval and a Certificate of Equivalence under certain conditions. The application procedures and purpose of these two documents is different. Cabotage deals with counteracting disadvantages for the freedom of economic activity of German shipping (German "Seeaufgabengesetz" sec. 9 para. 4) while the Certificate of Equivalence ensures a comparable degree of safety in German maritime waters.