Civil Liability Certificates

This page outlines how ship owners, brokers and operators can apply to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for passenger, bunker, tanker and wreck removal compulsory liability insurance certificates.

You can apply for Civil Liability Certificates (CLCs) using the online UK Ship Register service. You will need to create an account or sign into your existing account. Once logged in, you will be able to request single or multiple compulsory insurance certificates. You will need to have a Blue Card addressed to the MCA for each certificate being applied for and exact details from the Blue Card must be added into the online application. Payment for certificates can be made as part of the online application.

If you wish to make payment from a rolling account, create the application and upload Blue Cards using the online UK Ship Register service. When adding payment, select “Account” as payment method, enter the amount to be added and your rolling account number as the reference. Fees will be added to your rolling account and the certificate(s) will then be issued and emailed out.

If you require assistance, contact us at uksr@mcga.gov.uk and quote at least one vessel name or IMO number. If at any stage you leave the online system whilst completing an application, you can log back in and access the uncompleted application to finish the application or add further information.

Compulsory Insurance Certificates overview

UK ships and ships coming to or from the UK, or other state party, must have flag State certificates to prove that they have the relevant compulsory civil liability insurances.

The four types of civil liability certificates are:

• BCLC - Bunker Convention 2001
• CLC - Civil Liability Convention 1992 (Tankers)
• NWRC - Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention 2007
• PAL - Athens Protocol 2002 and Regulation (EC) 392/2009

Bunker Oil (BCLC)

Bunker oil for ships over 1,000GT using oil as fuel, refer to MGN 507 (M+F) Amendment 1 - Oil Pollution: Liability and Compulsory Insurance for Bunker Oil.

Oil Pollution (CLC)

Tanker oil for ships carrying over 2,000 tonnes of oil cargo, refer to MGN 508 (M) - Oil Pollution: Liability and Compulsory Insurance.

Nairobi Wreck Removal Insurance (NWRC)

UK ships and ships coming to or from the UK, or other state party, must have flag State certificates to prove that they have the relevant compulsory liability insurance for the locating, marking and removing of wrecks. The Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention 2007 (NWRC 2007) came into force on 14 April 2015 and this applies to all vessels over 300 GT, see MIN 499 (M+F) - Wreck Removal: Liability and Compulsory Insurance for the full details.

Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage (PAL)

In accordance with the requirements of the Athens Protocol 2002, vessels certificated to carry more than 12 passengers, must have Passenger Liability insurance (PAL).

UK passenger vessels on international voyages must have a certificate issued by the MCA to show that insurance is in place. You will be required to provide evidence of both “war risks” and “non-war risks” insurance when you apply.