Implementation of Electronic Certificates and QR Code Validation

 

From: Office of the Maritime Administrator, Vanuatu International Shipping Registry

 

To: All Shipowners, Masters, Managers, Special Agents, Recognized Organizations and Relevant Stakeholders

 

The Administration of the Vanuatu International Shipping Registry (VISR) hereby advises all stakeholders of its transition to the issuance of statutory certificates in electronic format and the

mandatory implementation of QR Code verification.

 

The purpose of this Circular is to establish a clear and uniform framework governing the issuance, validity and verification of certificates issued under the Vanuatu flag.

 

Accordingly, the Administration hereby establishes the following requirements governing the issuance, validity and verification of certificates issued under the Vanuatu flag.

 

1. The Administration has adopted the issuance of statutory certificates and documents in electronic format. This transition has taken effect immediately, and electronic certification now constitutes the standard method of issuance by the Administration.

 

2. In order to ensure the authenticity, security and verifiability of certificates issued under the Vanuatu flag, all certificates issued by the Administration shall incorporate a Quick Response (QR) Code as an integral verification feature.

 

3. While electronic certification has been implemented with immediate effect, the Administration further advises that any certificate issued on or after 1 January 2026 by the Administration that does not contain a QR Code shall be considered invalid, shall not be recognized for statutory or operational purposes, and shall not be accepted as a valid document of the Administration under any circumstances.

 

4. Certificates issued by the Administration prior to 1 January 2026 in hard copy format shall remain valid until their indicated expiry date, unless earlier replaced, reissued electronically, or otherwise superseded by the Administration.

 

5. The issuance of hard copy certificates after the implementation of electronic certification shall be limited strictly to exceptional circumstances and shall remain subject to the verification requirements of the Administration.

 

6. Certificates issued electronically by the Administration, whether presented in electronic or printed form, may be verified by scanning the QR Code displayed on the document or by direct confirmation with the Administration at info@register-vu.com.