Ship station licence: arranged as part of your registration, not as an afterthought.
A ship station licence is almost never needed in isolation, it is part of the vessel registration process. We arrange CallSign, MMSI, and ATIS as a single step alongside registration, and advise you on operator licence requirements that vary between flag states.
Part of registration, not a separate errand
When you register a vessel, the flag state assigns it a nationality and a place in the ship’s register. At the same time – or as an immediate next step – the vessel needs a ship station licence: the official authorisation to operate the radio equipment on board.
The ship station licence assigns a unique CallSign to the vessel and, depending on the flag state, also issues the MMSI number and ATIS code. These three identifiers are what make your vessel visible to the emergency services, other skippers, and port authorities when your radio is in use.
Because the ship station licence is issued by or on behalf of the same flag state authority that handles registration, the practical and documentary overlap is significant. Arranging the two together is more efficient than handling them separately, and it is how we work as standard.
What we arrange as part of registration
- Ship station licence application to the relevant flag state
- Unique CallSign assigned to the vessel
- MMSI number, essential for GMDSS distress calls
- ATIS code where required for inland waterway use
- Advice on whether an operator licence is required by your flag state
- Advice on CEPT compliance requirements where applicable
- Co-ordination with the registration process so all credentials arrive together
Three identifiers – what each one is and why it matters
A ship station licence typically issues one, two, or all three of the following, depending on the flag state and the vessel’s intended sailing area.
CallSign
The CallSign is the unique identifier assigned to your vessel for radio communication. It appears on your ship station licence and is the name by which your vessel is known in radio traffic, to other vessels, to marinas, and to coast guard and port authority services.
The CallSign format varies by flag state and is assigned by the issuing authority at the time the ship station licence is granted. It is permanent to the vessel unless the registration changes.
MMSI number
The MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) is a unique nine-digit number that identifies your vessel’s DSC-equipped radio to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). When a distress call is transmitted, the MMSI tells the rescue services exactly which vessel it is coming from, including the vessel name and last known position if integrated with GPS.
Without an MMSI, a DSC distress call is received as an anonymous signal. Emergency response is slower as a result. An MMSI is strongly recommended for any vessel sailing international or coastal waters, and is mandatory for commercial vessels in most flag states.
ATIS code
ATIS (Automatic Transmitter Identification System) is the identifier used on inland waterways. It functions similarly to the MMSI but is specific to river and canal traffic in countries where ATIS has been adopted.
ATIS is mandatory for vessels sailing on inland waterways in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. If your vessel will be used on European rivers or canals – or if you intend to transit inland routes between coastal areas – an ATIS code needs to be included in the ship station licence application. We check this as part of the registration advice.
The operator licence – and when CEPT compliance is required
A ship station licence covers the radio equipment on board. A separate operator licence covers the person using it. Whether one is required – and what it must comply with – depends on the flag state.
The ship station licence and the operator licence are two distinct documents. The ship station licence is assigned to the vessel. The operator licence – such as a Short Range Certificate (SRC) for VHF operation, or a Long Range Certificate (LRC) for GMDSS – is held by the individual who operates the radio.
Some flag states require only the ship station licence for private pleasure craft. Others also require the person operating the radio to hold a valid operator licence. For commercial vessels, an operator licence is almost universally required.
Where an operator licence is required, certain flag states go further: they specify that the licence must be issued by a country that is a member of the Conférence européenne des administrations des postes et télécommunications (CEPT), and that the examination leading to it must comply with CEPT decisions ERC/DEC (99)01 and ERC/REC 31-04.
These CEPT agreements define the minimum competency standards for short and long range maritime radio operation across European administrations. A certificate issued by a non-CEPT country, or one obtained through an examination that does not meet these standards, may not be accepted by the flag state — even if the certificate appears valid on its face.
We advise on whether your flag state requires CEPT-compliant operator certification as part of the registration process, so there are no compliance gaps when your vessel enters service.
Operator licence – what to check
- Does your flag state require an operator licence for the vessel’s intended use?
- Is the Short Range Certificate (SRC) sufficient, or is a Long Range Certificate (LRC) required?
- Does the flag state require the operator licence to be issued by a CEPT member state?
- Must the examination comply with ERC/DEC (99)01 and ERC/REC 31-04?
- Is the operator’s existing certificate already CEPT-compliant and acceptable to the flag state?
- For commercial vessels: does every officer with radio duties hold a valid, compliant certificate?
CEPT – the Conférence européenne des administrations des postes et télécommunications — is the body that co-ordinates telecommunications regulation across 48 European countries. Its decisions on maritime radio operator competency set a common standard that allows an operator certificate issued in one CEPT member state to be recognised in others.
Where a flag state requires CEPT compliance, the practical implication is that the operator’s certificate must originate from an examination conducted under the authority of a CEPT member administration — not merely from an institution that claims to meet the standard. For professional vessel operators, this is worth verifying before registration is completed rather than after a port state control inspection raises the question.
Lorrendraaier does not issue operator licences or conduct examinations. We advise on what each flag state requires and, where necessary, direct you to the appropriate authority or examination body.
Requirements vary between flag states
The table below illustrates how ship station licence requirements differ across a selection of European flag states. The picture varies, this is why advice specific to your flag state matters.
| Flag state | VHF mandatory from | ATIS required | Operator licence required | CEPT compliance required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 20 metres | ✓ Inland waterways | Recommended; mandatory on commercial vessels | ✓ Yes |
| Belgium | 7 metres | ✓ Inland waterways | Mandatory (SRC minimum) | ✓ Yes |
| Germany | Sea-going vessels | ✓ Inland waterways | Mandatory (UKW-Sprechfunkzeugnis / SRC) | ✓ Yes |
| France | Commercial; recommended all | — | Mandatory for licensed radio use | Varies by certificate type |
| Switzerland | Inland vessels | ✓ Yes | Mandatory (UKW-Sprechfunkzeugnis / SRC) | ✓ Yes |
| Luxembourg | Inland vessels | ✓ Yes | Mandatory | ✓ Yes |
| Austria / Hungary | Inland vessels | Check at registration | Mandatory (inland waterway use) | Varies — advise at registration |
| Spain / Portugal | Commercial; recommended all | — | Mandatory for commercial vessels | Varies — advise at registration |
This table gives a general indication only. Requirements change and depend on vessel type, size, and intended use. We advise on the specific requirements for your vessel and flag state as part of the registration process.
How the ship station licence is arranged
In almost all cases, the ship station licence is handled as part of the vessel registration process, not as a separate application.
Flag state and requirements assessed
As part of the registration advice, we establish which ship station credentials are required (CallSign, MMSI, ATIS) and whether the flag state has specific operator licence or CEPT requirements that need to be in place before the vessel enters service.
Flag state advice
We give you a clear comparison of the most suitable flag states for commercial registration in your situation, covering requirements, costs, inspection obligations, and the practical implications for your intended sailing area.
Documents prepared alongside registration
The documentation required for the ship station licence overlaps significantly with the registration documents. We prepare and submit both together, one process, one document set, one point of contact.
CallSign, MMSI, and ATIS issued
The ship station licence is issued by the flag state authority with the assigned CallSign, MMSI, and where applicable, ATIS code. We confirm that all three credentials have been correctly issued before considering the process complete.
Operator licence compliance confirmed
Where the flag state requires a CEPT-compliant operator licence, we confirm whether the operator already holds an acceptable certificate or advise on obtaining one. For commercial operators, we check every relevant crew member where required by the flag state.
By the numbers
9/10
Client satisfaction score, ten years in a row
10+
Years specialising exclusively in yacht registration
ISO 9001
Certified, one of the only specialists in the EU
15+
European ship registers covered
Questions about ship station licences
Common questions from private owners and commercial operators alike. If your situation is not covered here, just give us a call.
Registering a vessel and need the ship station licence handled at the same time? That is how we do it.
Tell us about your vessel, its intended flag state, and whether it will sail inland waterways or international waters. We come back to you with a clear picture of which credentials are needed and what the operator licence requirements are for your flag state.