Overview of ship registration

The procedure for registering a ship with the Singapore Registry of Ships is quick and easy, requiring only 5 major steps. Registration is open to all types of ships.

Registration procedure

Below is a summary of the steps for registering your vessel.

Step 1 - prerequisites

Ensure that you and your vessel satisfy the owner and vessel prerequisites.

Step 2 - write in to Registrar of Ships

Write in to the Registrar of Ships to:

• Obtain approval for your choice of vessel name.
• If requesting to reserve a name, then:
• Indicate this clearly in your letter.
• Provide the Registry with the name of the vessel that will take on the reserve name.
• Indicate clearly in your letter if requesting to change the name of a vessel that is already registered.

• Apply for an official number for the vessel and Call Sign Number/Signal Letter
• In your application letter, indicate the vessel tonnage.

• Request for your application to be considered under the Block Transfer Scheme, if applicable.

Step 3 - submit documents

Submit the relevant documents as required for a provisional registration or a permanent registration.

Step 4 - pay fee

Pay the initial registration fee and annual tonnage tax.

Step 5 - vessel registered!

Your vessel is successfully registered and you will receive a Certificate of Registry and a Carving and Marking Note.