At present the Swiss fleet comprises 37 commercial ships with a total capacity of a good 1 million tonnes (dead weight tons, DWT), which is about one thousandth of the world tonnage. The fleet is made up of bulk carriers, container ships, multi-purpose freighters and tankers that transport chemicals and asphalt. They are deployed all round the world according to demand.
 
The fleet is operated by six shipping companies whose head offices are required to be in Switzerland. The ships have to report to Swiss representative offices abroad (embassies and consulates) which authorize the signing-on and signing-off of crew members. 

The shipping companies report the current location of the Swiss sea-going vessels each week to the Swiss Maritime Navigation Office of the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). 


The SMNO: 

• checks that the shipping companies are complying with statutory regulations
• issues vessels with the clearance certificate (vehicle licence for ships)
• checks whether regulations on construction, safety, equipment and environmental protection are being observed. Technical and administrative checks are carried out by recognised classification companies as well as by the Swiss Maritime Navigation Office among the owners and directly on board the ships
• monitors compliance with employment regulations for the crews
• issues sailors’ log-books and certificates for Swiss mariners and confirmation of equivalence of foreign qualifications for crew members from other countries, as well as other ships’ documents
• prepares bills and draft ratification documents in respect of international agreements
• reports breaches of the law committed on Swiss ships and decides on appeals against disciplinary measures
• represents Switzerland in international organizations and at conferences
• provides interested parties with information on technical and trade policy requirements and measures taken by other countries under maritime law

Swiss Maritime Navigation Office SMNO
Elisabethenstrasse 33 
P.O. Box
CH-4010 Basel

Tel.: +41 (0)61 270 91 20, field yachts +41 (0)61 270 91 26
Fax: +41 (0)61 270 91 29
E-mail:  dv-ssa@eda.admin.ch
Internet:  www.smno.ch