- Home
- Regulations
- State-Specific Ship Medical Regulations
State-Specific Ship Medical Regulations
Every vessel is governed first by requirements issued or adopted by its flag-state Administration. These national rules may prescribe medicines, medical equipment, quantities, vessel categories, inspections and certificates.
Carrying the WHO guide does not automatically mean that the WHO Quantification Addendum is the binding inventory. Always identify the vessel’s flag, vessel type, crew size and voyage profile before selecting a medical chest.
Last verified: 1 September 2026
When National Rules Apply
Regulation at a glance
Status
National and territory-specific requirements apply alongside—or instead of—international reference guides.
Applies to
Vessels flying a flag whose Administration publishes its own medicine-chest list, vessel categories, inspection rules or certification requirements.
Medical chest basis
The current flag-state law, official schedule and circulars remain authoritative.
Important distinction
Carrying the WHO guide, EU guidance or another medical guide does not by itself prove compliance with a national inventory schedule.
Disclaimer: This overview is not legal or medical advice. Always verify current flag-state requirements and voyage-specific conditions.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Confirm the flag and vessel category
Check registration, vessel type, voyage area, crew size and whether a doctor is carried.
Use the current official schedule
Do not substitute a similarly named WHO, EU or UK scale unless the competent Administration expressly permits it.
Maintain evidence of compliance
Keep inventories, expiry records, replenishment evidence and certificates required by the flag state.
Add MFAG and cargo requirements
A national medicine chest does not replace cargo-specific antidotes or equipment required by the current IMDG Code Supplement and MFAG.
INCLUDED FLAG-STATE REGULATIONS
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Gibraltar
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Marshall Islands
- Russia
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Turkey
- United States
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is covered under the WHO-based route on its dedicated page, subject to current flag-state confirmation.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Current national legislation, shipping notices and official medicine-chest schedule.
- Vessel-specific inventory and expiry register.
- Inspection certificate or approved evidence where required.
- Medical guide and telemedical assistance procedures required by the Administration.
- Current IMDG/MFAG documentation when dangerous goods are carried.
HOW SEAFARMA CAN HELP
Seafarma can identify the applicable national route, translate it into a vessel-specific inventory, supply and replenish medicines and equipment, prepare inspection documentation, and arrange worldwide delivery. We can also coordinate ETA, berth, local agent details and handover instructions.
REQUEST A COMPLIANCE CHECK- the flag-state Administration publishes its own medicines and medical equipment list;
- national law incorporates an international guide with additions or different quantities;
- the Administration defines its own vessel categories, voyage limits or inspection requirements; or
- a national certificate or approved supplier is required.
Where a national requirement exists, it remains authoritative for that vessel.
National Medicine-Chest Scales
Many Administrations use categories such as A, B and C, but the definitions and quantities are not automatically interchangeable. Distances from shore, voyage duration, crew numbers, vessel type and the presence of a doctor can all change the required stock.
Use the current national schedule and official amendments for the vessel’s flag. Do not substitute a similarly named WHO, EU or UK scale without confirmation.
Guide Versus Inventory Requirements
A medical guide explains diagnosis, treatment and first aid. A medicine-chest schedule prescribes what must be carried. A flag state may require the WHO guide on board while still enforcing its own national medicine and equipment list.
Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore are examples where carrying a medical guide must be distinguished from compliance with the national inventory requirements.
Dangerous Goods and MFAG
Ships carrying dangerous goods must also check the current Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG), the IMDG Code Supplement and any additional flag-state requirements. A national medicine chest does not replace cargo-specific antidotes or equipment required for the substances carried. View the official IMO information about MFAG.
Included Flag-State Regulations
The following Seafarma pages cover national or territory-specific requirements. Each page should be checked against the latest official legislation and circulars.
- Australia Ship Medical Chest Regulation — AMSA medical carriage requirements.
- Brazil Ship Medical Chest Regulation — Brazilian national and ANVISA requirements.
- Canadian Ship Medical Chest Regulation
- Cayman Islands Ship Medical Chest Regulation — Cayman Shipping Notice and national schedules.
- Hong Kong Ship Medical Chest Regulation — Cap. 478X national requirements.
- Japanese Ship Medical Chest Regulation — Japanese national medical supply tables.
- Russian Ship Medical Chest Regulation
- Singapore Ship Medical Chest Regulation — Singapore Scale A, B and C.
- Taiwanese Ship Medical Chest Regulation
- Turkish Ship Medical Chest Regulation — the national list in Annex 15 applies to Turkish-flagged ships.
- United States Ship Medical Chest Regulation
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: no current official medicine-chest list has yet been confirmed for inclusion. It is therefore not classified here until the flag Administration confirms the applicable list.
Get in Touch
Seafarma can supply, review and certify ship medical chests against applicable flag-state requirements and international guidance. For advice, a quotation or an order, contact our team and provide the vessel’s flag, vessel type, crew size and voyage profile.
This page provides general information and does not replace instructions from the competent authority or qualified medical professionals.
