The Top 30 Due Diligence Items Sellers Must Prep

The Top 30 Due Diligence Items Sellers Must Prep

Selling a ship is won or lost in the dataroom. Buyers move fastest and pay best when every certificate, survey, log, and liability is clean, current, and easy to verify. Use this checklist to prep a buyer-ready package for bulkers, tankers, gas, and container tonnage.

The Top 30 Due Diligence Items Sellers Must Prep

Make the vessel easy to buy. Certs current, surveys clean, liabilities known, delivery simple.

1
Core

Class status

IACS Class Status and Condition

  • Up-to-date Class Status Report with no overdue recommendations
  • History of conditions of class and close-out evidence
  • Survey schedule with SS/DD, IOPP, Load Line, Safety Construction
Why buyers care: clean class equals fewer price chips and faster approvals.
2
Core

Statutory

Complete Statutory Cert Pack

  • Safety Equipment, Safety Construction, Safety Radio, Load Line, ITC 69
  • ISSC (ISPS), SMC/DOC (ISM), MLC certificates
  • For tankers: IOPP, CLC, Bunker Convention blue cards current
Tip: upload legible color scans with validity dates highlighted.
3
Core

Environmental

BWTS, SEEMP, EEXI, and CII Dossier

  • BWTS type approval, commissioning test, O&M logs, spare filters
  • EEXI technical file and attained vs required index
  • SEEMP Part III and latest CII rating with improvement plan
Why buyers care: compliance ready reduces capex asks post-delivery.
4
Records

Port state

PSC, Detentions, and Deficiency Trail

  • Last 3 years of PSC inspections and rectifications
  • No open detentions or overdue items on major MOUs
  • Clear notes on any recurring deficiencies
Pricing risk: repeat hits on same code invite discounts.
5
Specialized

Vetting

OCIMF/SIRE and CDI (Tankers)

  • Recent SIRE or CDI reports and close-outs
  • Approvals list and typical charterer comments
  • Crew matrix compliance snapshots
Why buyers care: better vetting equals better earning options after handover.
6
Survey

Thickness

Recent UT Gauging and Corrosion Map

  • Last special survey UT reports with steel renewal records
  • Highlight COT/ballast hotspots and remaining margins
  • Any outstanding steel work with yard quotes
Deal killer: unknown wastage leads to heavy price chips or walk-aways.
7
Survey

Docking

Dry-Dock, Tailshaft, and Prop Condition

  • Last DD report, tailshaft withdraw, stern seal service
  • Propeller and rudder NDT records, cavitation notes
  • Anode replacement schedule and coating system
Why buyers care: visibility on next docking capex protects TCE models.
8
Machinery

Main and aux

M/E and A/E Hours, Overhauls, and Spares

  • Running hours, last overhauls, turbo and injector status
  • Critical spares inventory, maker lists, control system versions
  • LO analysis trend and any abnormal wear reports
Tip: include clear photos of nameplates and control cabinets.
9
Performance

Speed & fuel

Speed–Consumption Evidence Pack

  • Noon reports set with weather filters and clean hull periods
  • Service speed curves and sea trial data if available
  • Hull/prop cleaning and coating dates
Why buyers care: verified S/C underpins charter earnings and CII outcomes.
10
Specialized

Cargo systems

Cargo Gear and Lifting Certs

  • Cranes, wires, blocks, grabs load-test certificates
  • For gearless: cell guides and lashing gear inspection
  • Tankers: cargo pumps, IG, PV valves test logs
Common chip: expired gear certs delay delivery and reduce price.
11
Fuel

ROB & quality

Bunkers: ROB, BDNs, and Lab Tests

  • ROB statement by tank with temperatures
  • BDNs for last stems and any off-spec claims
  • Fuel system cleaning after HSFO/LSFO or biofuel trials
Why buyers care: avoids disputes at delivery and post-handover issues.
12
Emissions

Reporting

IMO DCS, EU MRV, and ETS Exposure

  • Latest DCS and MRV submissions with verifier sign-off
  • EU ETS exposure estimate and EUA position at delivery
  • CII improvement actions timed to trading pattern
Seller advantage: clear ETS plan reduces buyer haircut.
13
Waste

Logs

Oil, Ballast, and Garbage Record Books

  • ORB I/II entries clean and consistent with port receipts
  • Ballast water records and sampling history
  • Garbage segregation and landing receipts
Risk: sloppy logs raise enforcement and PSC concerns.
14
Cargo history

Compatibility

Last Cargoes and Cleanliness Evidence

  • Tanker wall-wash results and last three cargoes
  • Bulker hold condition photos and hatch ultrasonic tests
  • Gas: IGC compliance and reliquefaction service records
Why buyers care: cleaner history expands charter options after purchase.
15
Inventory

Spares

Critical Spares and Tools List

  • Class-required spares on board with quantities
  • Maker parts for engine, pumps, and automation
  • Calibrated tools and test equipment
Bonus: richer spares set supports higher as-is price.
16
Commercial

Employment

Charter Status and Delivery Flexibility

  • Fixture summary, redelivery windows, options, and COAs
  • Any sub-let or performance claims
  • Buyer delivery ports feasible within MOA timeline
Pricing: tight windows reduce buyer pool and value.
17
Legal

Title

Clear Title, Mortgages, and Liens

  • Registry transcript, mortgages discharged or payoff arrangements
  • LIEN/encumbrance search, no crew wage or supplier claims
  • Sanctions and KYC checks for all parties
Deal killer: unresolved liens will stall closing.
18
Insurance

Covers

P&I and H&M Certificates and Claims

  • P&I entry and H&M policy summaries with deductibles
  • Loss-run reports and open claim reserves
  • Blue cards current for CLC and Bunker Convention
Buyer comfort: clean loss history supports stronger bids.
19
Finance

OPEX

Transparent OPEX and Recent Capex

  • Last 12 months OPEX by category and port costs
  • Recent capex with invoices and warranties
  • Upcoming commitments and service contracts
Why buyers care: consistent OPEX helps lenders underwrite quickly.
20
Contracts

MOA

Sale Form and Rider Readiness

  • Norwegian Saleform draft with rider terms prepared
  • Clear list of included spares, exclusions, and delivery condition
  • Inspection, diver, and trial protocols pre-agreed
Speed: a clean MOA reduces negotiation rounds.
21
Crew

Compliance

Crew Lists, Certificates, and Wages

  • Full crew matrix and certificate validity
  • No wage arrears or repatriation liabilities
  • Hand-over plan at delivery
Risk: wage claims can block deregistration and delivery.
22
Safety

Life-saving

LSA/FFA Service and Expiry Matrix

  • Life rafts, EEBDs, fire extinguishers service dates
  • CO2 room tests and fire pump performance
  • Spare pyro and battery kits
Why buyers care: fresh safety gear avoids off-hire right after purchase.
23
Manuals

Docs

Manuals, Plans, and Certificates Index

  • Stability book, loading manual, and approved lashing manual
  • As-built drawings, piping and wiring diagrams
  • VDR and ECDIS software versions
Tip: a searchable index saves surveyors hours.
24
IT

Data

VDR, AIS, and Maintenance System Exports

  • Recent VDR snapshot and AIS track exports
  • Planned maintenance system (PMS) backlog and completions
  • Spare parts usage analytics
Buyer comfort: data-rich vessels inspire faster credit committee yes.
25
Bulkers

Weathertight

Hatch Cover Condition and UT/Chalk Tests

  • Ultrasonic and chalk test results with gasket renewals
  • Coaming drain and cleat condition photos
  • Hold coating and corrosion notes
Why buyers care: leak claims are costly and frequent.
26
Tankers

Cleanliness

Cargo Tank, Heating Coils, and IG Integrity

  • Coil pressure tests and cargo pipeline tightness
  • IG and PV valve tests, deck water seal checks
  • Coating condition and last hot-work permits
Pricing: weak heating or coating narrows cargo slate.
27
Containers

Cargo ops

Cell Guides, Lash Gear, and Reefer Points

  • Guide straightness and wear plates checks
  • Lashing gear inventory and certification
  • Reefer plugs count and load test
Why buyers care: limits on reefer or lashing hit revenue mix.
28
Deck

Integrity

Pipelines, Valves, and Deck Fittings

  • Pressure tests and leak logs for deck systems
  • Windlass, winches, and mooring gear maintenance
  • Hull coating condition at waterline
Tip: show recent photos from bow to stern for transparency.
29
Compliance

Recycling

IHM Inventory of Hazardous Materials

  • IHM Part I on board and maintained
  • Part II/III if recent mods
  • Supplier declarations for new spares
Why buyers care: avoids EU port issues and supports ESG reporting.
30
Delivery

Handover

Clean Delivery Pack and Checklists

  • ROB bunkers and lubes with surveys booked
  • Key handover inventory, spare keys, manuals, and stamps
  • Diver, sea trial, and inventory protocols confirmed with buyer
Outcome: fewer disputes and faster funds release on delivery day.

Action plan: assign an owner for each line item, upload clean scans, add date flags for expiries, and pre-book diver and bunker surveys for your delivery window. A buyer-ready ship trades faster, with fewer chips, and better post-inspection sticking price.