Other services

Ship inspections and sanitation certificates

The Ports of Grimsby and Immingham handle approximately 40,000 vessel movements each year, making them some of the busiest ports in the UK. To support safe and compliant port operations, Grimsby and Immingham Port Health carries out statutory ship inspections and issues a range of approved Ship Sanitation Exemption Certificates (SSEC) and Ship Sanitation Control Certificates (SSCC) in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and the Public Health (Ships) Regulations.

Our Port Health Inspectors conduct comprehensive inspections to ensure vessels meet international public health standards. A typical inspection will include:

Crew and passenger health checks – reviewing onboard health status and medical facilities.
Infectious disease monitoring – ensuring proper procedures are in place to prevent and manage potential outbreaks.
Food hygiene assessments – inspection of galleys, food storage, handling practices, and records.
Potable water safety checks – examination of water production, storage, distribution systems, and testing points.
Water and food sampling – samples can be taken for laboratory analysis when required.
Sanitary conditions – inspection of accommodation, waste management, drainage systems, and overall hygiene.
Pest control measures – evaluating rodent, insect, and vector control processes, with certification issued where necessary.

Following the inspection, vessels may be issued a Ship Sanitation Exemption Certificate or Ship Sanitation Control Certificate, depending on findings. To request a ship inspection, please contact the Port Health team.

Ship’s water sampling service

Grimsby and Immingham Port Health also provides a dedicated water sampling service. This can be completed:

as part of a full ship inspection, or
as a standalone service, even if no sanitation inspection is required.

Our officers will take potable water samples and submit them for bacteriological examination at an accredited laboratory. A formal laboratory report and an accompanying certificate will be provided on completion.

To arrange water sampling, please contact the Port Health office.

Charges apply for ship inspections, water sampling, and certification services. These fees are set nationally and reviewed regularly.

For the most up-to-date information, please see the Grimsby and Immingham Port Health Charges webpage.

International catering waste

International catering waste (ICW) is defined under EU Animal By-Products Regulations as “catering waste from means of transport operating internationally.” Any food waste from a vessel that has visited a non‑EU port is classified as ICW and is subject to strict controls when returning to the EU. This applies even if provisions were originally taken on board within the EU, as their origin cannot be reliably verified.

ICW is regulated to protect public and animal health. If this waste enters the animal food chain—either through farmed or wild animals – it can spread serious notifiable diseases, such as Foot and Mouth Disease. The legislation ensures this risk is kept to a minimum.

ICW must always be:

Kept separate from other waste
Clearly identifiable and marked: “Category 1 By‑Product for Disposal Only”
Placed in a dedicated, covered, leak‑proof skip or container
Stored only in the designated container – never elsewhere

Although not legally required, we recommend also using the label “International Catering Waste” to avoid confusion.

Containers must not be overfilled, as the law requires them to be fully covered at all times.

The ship’s master is legally considered the producer of the waste and must ensure ICW is correctly managed and disposed of.

If the port’s ICW facilities are full or locked, the master must inform the port operator or Port Health Authority immediately.

ICW must never be stored outside the dedicated container.

Once ICW is removed from the ship, responsibility transfers to the port operator, who must ensure:

Proper collection and secure storage
Transport by a registered waste carrier
Disposal at an approved incinerator, rendering plant, or landfill
A complete audit trail from production to final disposal
All records must be kept for at least two years.

Ports must have a plan that includes the required procedures, equipment, containers, contracts, and information needed to manage ICW legally.

Any changes must be reported to the Port Health Authority.

Grimsby & Immingham Port Health Authority enforces ICW regulations from the point the waste is landed to its storage and onward movement.

DEFRA / Animal Health oversees compliance for waste movement from ship to shore and approves disposal sites.

Contact details

General enquiries: [email protected]

01472 323609
[email protected]
Europarc Innovation Centre, Innovation Way, Grimsby, DN37 9TT

01472 323609
[email protected]
Border Control Post, Liddell Way, Immingham, DN40 1QW

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Ship inspections and sanitation certificates

Ship’s water sampling service

International catering waste

Contact details

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