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Bareboat Charter-Out Registry

Bareboat charter is the hiring of the vessel for a stipulated period during which charterer has possession and control of the vessel, including the right to appoint the master and crew. A Singapore vessel may be bareboat chartered out and registered outside Singapore in the name of the bareboat charterer. During the charter period, the vessel’s Singapore registry has to be suspended.

Applying for Suspension

The application for suspension must be made by the vessel owner or a person authorised by him.

  • Download and complete the suspension application form.

  • Submit the following documents:

    • Certified copy of the charter party.
    • Certified transcript of the register or a similar document showing the bareboat registration of the vessel.
    • Certificate of Singapore Registry for the vessel.

  • The fee for the application is S$1,250.

  • If the application is not accompanied by the necessary documents such as certified transcript of the register/a similar document showing the bareboat registration of the vessel and certificate of Singapore Registry, the registry may be provisionally suspended. These documents must then be produced within 60 days of the date of provisional suspension, failing which the provisional suspension will be terminated and cease to have effect.

Applying for Extension of Suspension

The date of termination of the suspension period may be extended upon submission of a renewed application.

  • Download and submit the completed application form for the extension of the registry suspension.

  • Submit the following documents:

    • Certified copy of the extension or new charter party.
    • Certified transcript of the register or similar document showing the extended bareboat registration of the vessel.

  • The fee for the extension of suspension application is S$1,250 (subject to prevailing GST).

Applying for Re-activation

The suspended registry of a Singapore vessel may be reactivated upon application.

  • Download and submit the completed application form for reactivation of the suspended registry.

  • Submit the following documents:

    • Closure certificate or similar document in respect of the bareboat registration of the vessel.
    • Statement from the classification society that the class is maintained.
    • Copies of the valid statutory certificates.

  • The fee for the reactivation application is S$1,250.

  • If the application is not accompanied by the closure certificate/similar document in respect of the bareboat registration of the vessel, the suspension may be provisionally reactivated. The documents must then be produced within 60 days of the date of provisional termination, failing which the provisional reactivation will cease to have effect.

  • If no application is made to reactivate the suspended registry of a Singapore vessel within 60 days of the date of termination of the suspension or if the provisional reactivation ceases to have effect, the registry of the vessel will be automatically closed, except for any subsisting mortgages.

Regulations That Apply During the Suspension Period

During the period of suspension of the registry of a Singapore vessel, the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act and its regulations will cease to apply to the vessel except:

  • The provisions relating to mortgages and property in the vessel in Part II of the Act.

  • The provisions relating to the vessel’s register.

  • The provision relating to the continued payment of the vessel’s annual tonnage tax.
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