- DNV has detected recent cases of counterfeit certificates for pilot ladders and mooring ropes, posing safety and compliance risks.
- Shipowners and managers are urged to verify authenticity and source equipment from OEMs or certified suppliers.
- All mooring rope test certificates issued by DNV since 2020 are exclusively electronic and digitally signed to prevent forgery.
Despite stringent measures, DNV continues to encounter instances of brand misuse and forged certification. While such cases remain rare compared to the volume of legitimate certificates issued annually, they present serious safety and reputational risks. This update highlights recent counterfeit certificate cases involving pilot ladders and mooring ropes, and outlines steps stakeholders should take to verify authenticity.
Safety Risks from Fake Certification
DNV has recently been alerted to counterfeit pilot ladders onboard vessels falsely bearing DNV certification and markings. Substandard or fraudulently certified pilot ladders endanger both pilots and crew.
To ensure authenticity, pilot ladders type-approved by DNV under the EU Marine Equipment Directive (MED) must include:
- Permanent markings as per ISO 799-1:2019(E), Ch.8, including:
- Manufacturer name and address
- Model designation
- “ISO 799-1” and “SOLAS”
- Year of assembly or reassembly
- Identification of DNV (e.g., DNV AS, DNV SE, DNV UK)
- The MED Mark of Conformity and USCG approval number, if applicable Ship managers should only procure ladders from OEMs or OEM-certified suppliers. If there’s any doubt about a pilot ladder’s authenticity, remove it from service immediately.
Paper Certificates Identified as Fraudulent
DNV has uncovered falsified mooring rope test certificates, often linked to Indian suppliers, bearing unauthorized use of DNV GL or Germanischer Lloyd branding.
Important facts
- DNV has only issued electronic, digitally signed certificates for mooring ropes since 2020.
- Any paper certificate should be treated as a copy, not the original.
- Forged certificates have falsely cited testing by GL Industrial Services GmbH and may include forged signatures.
Though mooring rope certification is not mandatory for class, DNV often acts as a third-party verifier at manufacturers’ request.
What to Do
- Verify all pilot ladders and mooring ropes against current marking and certification guidelines.
- Treat any physical certificate issued after 2020 as suspicious unless accompanied by its original digital counterpart.
- Contact DNV for verification if in doubt about the legitimacy of a certificate or product.
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Source: DNV
