Procedure on closing a vessel’s registry.
- An owner wishing to close a vessel's registry must ensure that there is no:
- Undischarged mortgage.
- Court order prohibiting any dealing with the vessel or any share therein.
- Outstanding annual tonnage tax or other fees.
- Outstanding claims of the master or seamen.
- All of the following documents must be submitted:
- Written application stating the intended port and country of registry, or otherwise (i.e. the vessel is not headed for another registry, e.g. scrapping, laid-up, total loss, etc.) and the reason(s) for the closure.
- The original Certificate of Registry, or a letter of undertaking to deliver the certificate within the next 30 days. The registry of the vessel will not be closed until this is received.
- The original Bill of Sale for recording, if a sale is involved.
Vessel owners must immediately inform the Registrar of Ships if the vessel is lost (actual or constructive), burnt or broken up.
Checklist of required documents
To ensure that you have all the relevant documents for the closure of the registration of your vessel, use this checklist.
