Registration of ships and yachts under flags of convenience

The choice depends on the vessel type, area of operation, desired taxation scheme, crew requirements, and the flag’s reputation. Under the current circumstances, the citizenship/residency status of the registered owner and vessel manager also play a significant role. Preliminary approval for registration from the flag administration is granted only after a thorough vetting of the vessel, shipowner, and ultimate beneficial owners for applicable sanctions. Therefore, anonymized inquiries without specifying the vessel, its IMO number, and details of its owners cannot be considered. We recommend a consultation tailored to your specific situation.

It depends on the flag, class, and type of vessel. Different flag administrations have varying requirements and restrictions. Generally, vessels up to 15–20 years old face no obstacles to registration, while additional requirements or limitations may apply to older vessels.

Yes. According to the terms of the International Convention on the Registration of Ships, a vessel cannot be registered under more than one flag at the same time. To complete registration under a new flag, a Deletion Certificate from the previous register is required. However, many administrations offer a grace period of 3 to 6 months. During this time, temporary registration is granted, and permanent registration may be finalized once the original Deletion Certificate, issued by the previous flag administration, is submitted to the new flag administration.

It depends on the flag, the vessel’s tonnage, the set of documents issued, and the range of services provided. An accurate quote can only be obtained from the flag administration once detailed information about the vessel, its owner, operator, type of operation, and area of navigation is submitted.

Yes, it is possible to register a vessel during the construction stage and obtain a certificate of registration. This procedure is often used by shipowners to secure financing using the vessel under construction as collateral.

A bareboat charter is the lease of a vessel without crew. A standard bareboat charter agreement typically allows for a change of the vessel’s name and flag for the duration of the charter period. This means that a vessel chartered under a bareboat charter can be temporarily registered under a different flag, provided that its registration in the primary register is suspended, while the ownership remains registered in the main (first) flag register.

In addition to the bareboat charter registration mentioned above, some flags offer special types of vessel registration for specific cases:

– Special registration for a one-off delivery voyage
– Special registration for a final voyage to be scrapped
– Registration of a vessel in lay-up
– Non-navigation registration

All these types of special registration include specific conditions that allow a vessel to be exempt from certain classification and convention certificates, and to apply derogations from mandatory convention requirements regarding the vessel’s condition, provided that special conditions and imposed restrictions on navigation or berthing are observed.

For detailed clarification, please submit your inquiry.

For a yacht owner, beyond the flag’s appearance and prestige, the main differences lie in taxation, technical condition and equipment requirements, crew certification, vessel age limits, permitted navigation areas, whether a pre-registration survey is required, and the overall cost of registration.
Currently, the citizenship or residency status of the registered owner — whether a legal entity or an individual — also plays a significant role.
Preliminary approval for registration is granted by the flag administration only after a thorough screening of the vessel, the owner, and their beneficiaries for applicable sanctions.

For commercial yachts — yes, with the relevant licenses/certificates, based on the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate issued by the flag administration.
For private non-commercial yachts — it depends on the flag and the size of the yacht. Generally, crew certificates are not required for registration of a non-commercial yacht, but they will be needed when clearing in and out of ports.

The exact list of documents depends on the flag, but the general requirements are as follows:

– Previous registration certificate
– A document from the previous registrar confirming that there are no registered mortgages or encumbrances
– Deletion Certificate
– In the event of a change of ownership — a notarized bill of sale
– For a new yacht — a builder’s certificate
– A copy of the applicant’s passport

If the owner is a legal entity, a certified set of corporate documents may also be required.

– Certificate of Registration
– Ship Radio Station License
– Minimum Safe Manning Certificate (for commercial yachts)
– Tonnage Certificate (for yachts 24 metres and over in length)
– Professional crew certificates
– Crew employment contracts (if there are hired crew members)
– Ship’s articles / Crew list
– Owner’s liability insurance policy with coverage limits adequate for the operating region

Yes, it is possible to change a yacht’s flag.
Please contact us for a detailed consultation.

Yes. In this case, the “Ownership Change” procedure applies.
Please contact us for a detailed consultation.