Fumigation & marine / Ship sanitation certificates
Ship sanitation certificates in Dubai
Inspection and issue of ship sanitation documentation for vessels calling at UAE ports, coordinated with the port health requirements for the call so the certificate is in place when it is needed.
Coordinated with port health requirements
Inspection scheduled to the call
Findings explained before issue
Free quotation before booking
In short
A ship sanitation certificate records the sanitary condition of a vessel following inspection of its galleys, stores, accommodation, holds, water systems and waste areas. It is issued after inspection at an authorised port, and it is a document vessels are routinely asked to hold when calling internationally.
Overview
What the inspection looks at
Ship sanitation documentation exists because vessels move between ports carrying whatever is aboard — vectors, contaminated water, food waste, rodents. The inspection is a check on the areas where those risks concentrate, and the certificate records what was found.
The practical point for an operator is timing. The certificate has a validity period, and a vessel calling without valid documentation can face delay. Arranging the inspection against a scheduled call is what avoids that.
Where the inspection finds evidence of vectors or unsanitary conditions, control measures are recommended and can be carried out alongside, so the vessel does not have to arrange them separately at the next port.
At a glance
- Applies to
- Vessels calling at UAE ports
- Covers
- Galley, stores, water, waste
- Timing
- Scheduled to the call
- If issues found
- Control measures advised
- Output
- Sanitation documentation
What is included
What the inspection covers
The survey follows the areas where health risks aboard a vessel actually concentrate.
Galley and food stores
Food handling and storage areas checked for pest evidence, cleanliness and conditions that would support contamination.
Accommodation
Crew accommodation inspected for vectors, harbourage and sanitary condition.
Potable water systems
Water storage and distribution checked as part of the sanitary assessment of the vessel.
Waste and garbage handling
Garbage storage, handling and disposal arrangements reviewed, since these are the usual driver of vector presence.
Holds and cargo spaces
Cargo spaces inspected for evidence of pests, residues and conditions that would attract them.
Findings and documentation
Findings explained to the master before issue, with control measures recommended where anything is identified.
How it works
How the inspection is arranged
The certificate is tied to the call, so scheduling against the vessel's ETA is the first step.
- 1Enquiry with vessel detailsVessel name, ETA, berth and the documentation currently held. That tells us what is needed and when.
- 2Coordination with port requirementsWe confirm the requirement for the call and arrange attendance within the window available alongside.
- 3On-board inspectionGalleys, stores, accommodation, water systems, waste handling and cargo spaces inspected with the responsible officer.
- 4Findings reviewedAnything identified is explained to the master before documentation is issued, with control measures recommended where needed.
- 5Documentation issuedSanitation documentation issued on completion, and any recommended control work quoted separately.
Who it is for
Masters, owners and shipping agents
The inspection is usually arranged by the agent handling the call, on behalf of the owner or operator.
- Shipping agents arranging documentation for a scheduled UAE call
- Owners and operators whose certificate is approaching expiry
- Vessels that have been asked to produce documentation at a previous port
- Operators combining sanitation inspection with in-hold or accommodation treatment
Cost
What the inspection costs depend on
Priced against the vessel, the areas inspected and whether control measures are needed. Coordinated with the agent handling the call.
Book it against a scheduled call
Arranged ahead of a planned call, this is a routine attendance. Arranged reactively because the certificate has expired, it becomes a delay as well as a cost.
- 01Vessel size and typeThe areas where health risks concentrate aboard a bulk carrier, a container ship and a general cargo vessel are not the same.
- 02Certificate typeAn exemption certificate and a control certificate follow different outcomes from the same inspection.
- 03Control measures requiredWhere evidence of a risk is found, measures are recommended and can usually be carried out alongside, which is quoted separately.
- 04Port and timingAttendance against the vessel ETA, including out-of-hours, is arranged through the agent.
- 05ValidityThe certificate carries a validity period, so timing the inspection against your call pattern avoids paying for it twice.
FAQ
Ship sanitation certificates questions
The questions customers ask most before booking this service. If yours is not covered, call or message and a technician will answer it.
When should I arrange the inspection?
Against a scheduled call, well before it is needed. The certificate carries a validity period, and arranging it around a planned berth avoids the delay that comes from calling without valid documentation.
What happens if the inspection finds problems?
Findings are explained to the master before anything is issued, and control measures are recommended. Those can usually be carried out alongside, without deferring to the next port.
Which areas are inspected?
Galleys and food stores, accommodation, potable water systems, waste and garbage handling, and cargo spaces — the areas where health risks aboard concentrate.
Can you also treat the vessel?
Yes. Where the inspection identifies vectors or infestation, treatment of accommodation, galleys or holds can be arranged alongside and is quoted separately.
How long does the inspection take?
It depends on vessel size and configuration, and on how much of the vessel is accessible during the call. We confirm the expected duration when scheduling against your window alongside.
Summary
Key points
- The certificate records the vessel's sanitary condition following inspection.
- It carries a validity period, so timing against a scheduled call matters.
- Galleys, stores, accommodation, water systems, waste and holds are covered.
- Findings are explained to the master before documentation is issued.
- Control measures can be carried out alongside, without deferral.
- Quotation is free and confirmed in writing.
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Not sure which applies? Call +971 55 293 1860 and we will tell you.
Arrange a ship sanitation inspection
Send the vessel name, ETA and berth and we will confirm the requirement and the attendance window.