Ship Sanitation Certificate

From 1 August 2008, it is possible to apply for Ship Sanitation Certificates (SSC) from the Port of Terneuzen authorities. This certificate replaces the Deratting Certificate. The Ship Sanitation Certificate has been a compulsory requirement on board ships sailing in international waters since 15 June 2007 and was introduced to prevent the worldwide spread of infectious diseases.

Applications for Ship Sanitation Certificate inspections can be submitted to the GGD Zeeland (Medical Health Service). The GGD Zeeland is responsible for issuing Ship Sanitation Certificates at Terneuzen port in partnership with the Terneuzen Port Authorities.

Inspections are conducted on the basis of requirements laid down by the World Health Organization (WHO) and as incorporated under Dutch Law into the Public Health Act.

There are three types of certificate.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC): A ship has been inspected and everything is in order. The ship is then exempt from further sanitary inspections for a period of six months.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC): A ship has been inspected and certain shortcomings discovered. The shortcomings are listed on the certificate. These must then be repaired, or otherwise resolved, and resubmitted for inspection. If due to circumstances a requested inspection cannot be carried out, then an Extension of the Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (ESSCEC) may be issued in exceptional circumstances. In so doing, a month’s respite is granted offering an opportunity to request and conduct a new inspection.

WHO Standards

WHO inspection guidelines stipulate that the following areas of the ship must be in order (The term in order is understood to mean no sign of infection or contamination, which includes vermin in any stage of development; animal reservoirs for vermin and pests; microbiological, chemical, radioactive substances or other hazards to human health; and inadequate hygiene measures):

• galley and food areas 
• pantry and storage rooms 
• holds 
• officer and crew accommodation 
• drinking water 
• sewage system 
• ballast tanks 
• waste (inc. medical waste) 
• standing water 
• engine room 
• medical facilities, swimming pools and spas

All WHO standards have been included in a Schedule of Requirements. An inspection checklist is provided for the levels required to meet these standards as inspected by the GGD.

[~] Schedule of Requirements

Inspection requests

Requests for a Ship Sanitation Certificate should be sent in at least 24 hours in advance through the application form below. Inspections are carried out from Monday - Friday 8.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Please complete the application form to request an inspection. A GGD inspector will contact you as soon as possible to make an appointment.

[~] Application Form

Inspection Costs

The table below lists the inspection costs for each type of ship. The Schedule of Requirements differentiates between standards applicable to all types of ship and those only applicable to ships designed for more than twelve persons on board excluding crew members. This is also taken into consideration when calculating the duration of an inspection.

• time indications listed above are maximum required inspection times. 
• rates are indexed annually on the basis of the Local Authority Collective Labour Agreement index figures. 
• no VAT is charged on inspection costs.
• rates listed above apply for working hours from Monday till Friday between 06.00 - 20.00 hours.
• rates for inspections between 20.00 - 06.00 are 150%. Inspections on Saturday also have a rate of 150%, on Sunday the rate is 200%.

Other Dutch ports

Ship Sanitation Certificates can also be applied for at the following ports: