Cambodia
Shipowner Eligibility
As an international registry, the Cambodian Ship Registry accepts vessels owned by individuals, bodies corporate, and other legal entities regardless of nationality, place of incorporation, or domicile.
About the Flag
The editors are working on an update. The Royal Government of Cambodia has decided in 2015 to end the agreement with the ISROC handling the Cambodian ship licensing procedures due to the lack of proper mechanisms including the national regulations to monitor the vessels flying Cambodian flag.
Company Formation
The formation of companies comes under the purview of the Ministry of Commerce. A company can either be a limited company or an incorporated company. A foreign company registered in Cambodia must have a Cambodian director-shareholder. The Cambodian shareholder may dispose of his shares after the formation of the company. There is no restriction on corporate shareholders, and bearer shares are allowed. The company must make one annual report through an accountant appointed by the Ministry of Commerce.
Taxation
Other than the official taxes (registration, annual, and radio taxes) applicable to vessels registered under the Cambodian flag, nonresident owners are not required to pay income, profit, or capital gains taxes to the Government of Cambodia.
Registration and Documentation
Regular/Provisional Registration
In accordance with The Registration of Merchant Shipping Act, 1994 and amendments thereto, a provisional registration is valid for six months. For regular/provisional registration before permanent registration, the ship owners or his representatives are expected to submit following documents:
Application for Ship Registration
BOS & AOS copy or Declaration of Ownership (If owner is not changed)
ISM Declaration and previous DOC copy (only in case of over 500GRT)*: if applicable
Previous Flag's Reg. Certificate copy & ITC & SR copy*: if any*
Owner's company incorporation cert copy and applicant's passport copy
valid SW cert copy issued by RO or Regular IACS member's Class certificate copy (only in case of over 25 years old ship)*: if applicable
* For registration of fish carriers (refrigerated & non-refrigerated) & fish processing factory, shipowner should submit the notarized declaration certifying vessel does not involve with any illegal fishing & illegal carriage of caught fish.
Permanent Registration
Permanent Registration is valid for five years (in case of MSMC/RSL, valid : one year) and can be proceeded immediately, if all the following required original documents have been submitted by courier / recorded to ISROC within due date in time or before the end of provisional registration period.
All original Application documents submitted for provisional registration
Notarized BOS & AOS original or Notarized Declaration of Ownership original
Previous Flag's Deletion certificate original which should be notarized from notary office or attached DR declaration which DR declare deletion certificate is original and true with DR's responsibility (In case that Deletion certificate is not in English form, it should be translated in English and publicly notarized. This document is not required in the case of a newly constructed ship*)
Valid Statutory certificate copy (ITC/SR/DOC*/SMC*) issued by RO: in case of more than 500 tonnage vessel*
AAIC confirmation sheet which is responsible for radio account
(* In case that submitted Deletion certificate is proved as not original (such as color copy or scan copy), permanent registration can be cancelled/invalid by ISROC, even though permanent registration certs are already issued by DR through ISROC's authorization. )
Special Registration
ISROC also accepts vessels to be registered for a short period (validity: three months) under special circumstances such as non-commercial trading or scrapping purpose. ISROC's procedures allow special registration certificate to be issued with a validity of three months, if the following documents are completely submitted to ISROC. When validity of three months is ended, the special registration shall be automatically annulled and invalid.
Application for Ship Registration
(Notarized) BOS & AOS copy or Declaration of Ownership (If owner is not changed)
Intended Voyage Confirmation & Affidavit certifying non-commercial trade
Valid SW cert copy issued by R.O (in case of more than 25 years old vessel)
DOC/SMC/ISSC Copy issued by RO (in case of more than 500 tonnage vessel)
Previous Flag's Reg. Certificate copy & ITC & SR copy*: if any*
Owner's company incorporation cert copy and applicant's passport copy
Scrapping contract original in English (in case of special registration for scrapping*)
Provisional Extension
Application form for provisional registration extension
Valid Statutory certificate copies (ITC/SR/DOC*/SMC*) issued by RO: (Only in case of over 500 GRT*): if applicable
Permanent Renewal
Valid statutory certificate copies (ITC/SR/DOC*/SMC*) issued by RO. If it is harmonized certificate (valid: 5 years), then annual endorsed certificate copy part is also required. (in case of over 500 tonnage)*
RSL Application form (if any particular change is required in RSL)
MSMC Application form (if any particular change is required in MSMC)
Deletion
For Deletion certificate issuance from ISROC, ship owners and representatives are expected to submit the following application documents as follows.
Deletion Application form (exact deletion reason should be indicated such as "Transfer to Which Flag")
Notarized Deletion certificate original from previous registry should be firstly recorded to ISROC.
AAIC confirmation sheet certifying no outstanding invoice
* For Deletion certificate issuance, no outstanding amount (such as annual tax, etc) as well as no pending outstanding documentation necessary for provisional registration is firstly required.
In case of deletion in the status of BBC out to another flag, notarized BBC termination (ended) contract original between ship owner & charterer should be firstly recorded to ISROC.
In case of deletion in status of Mortgage registered under Cambodia flag, after complete mortgage discharge process, deletion can proceed.
Bareboat Charter Registration
Foreign vessels can be registered under Cambodia flag as a second flag ("Charter in") through ISROC under the duration of a bareboat charter party agreement provided that the first flag grants its letter of consent for registration into Cambodia flag. Upon submission of an notarized BBC agreement and the letter of consent original from first flag and the corresponding fees including 2 years annual taxes, BBC registration certificate and RSL and MSMC certificate (valid: maximum 2 years) will be issued.
A vessel registered under Cambodia flag through ISROC can obtain an equivalent registration in another flag without affecting its status in Cambodia (Charter Out) based on a charter party. The applicant shall submit a formal application giving full details of the bareboat charter party. If all application documents for BBC out are submitted to ISROC with 2 years annual taxes payment , then ISROC issue the letter of consent (valid: maximum 2 years) for BBC out registration into other flag. For this purpose of BBC In/Out registration, formal application documentation which ship owners or representatives are expected to submit to ISROC is as follows:
BBC In Registration (Maximum: 2 years)
Application for Ship Registration
(Notarized) BBC agreement copy between ship owner & charterer in English
Original flag's Letter of Consent copy for registry into Cambodia flag in English.
ISM Declaration and previous DOC copy (only in case of over 500 GRT): if applicable
Present (Original flag's) Registry certificate copy & ITC & SR: if any
Owner's company incorporation cert copy and applicant's passport copy
Valid SW cert copy issued by RO or Regular IACS's member's issued Class certificate copy (only in case of over 25 years old ship): if applicable
In case of fish carriers (refrigerated & non refrigerated) & fish processing factory; Ship owner should submit the notarized declaration certifying the vessel does not involve with any illegal fishing & illegal carriage of caught fish.
BBC Out Registration (Maximum: 2 years): BBC agreement copy between ship owner & charterer in English.
Vessel and Yacht Eligibility & Survey Requirements
There are no age restrictions for Cambodian vessels as long as they are in seaworthy condition.
For the survey and issuance of trading certificates under the provisions of the respective IMO conventions, the Cambodian Ship Registry has authorized a worldwide network of professional surveyors with competitive fees. The owner should notify the Registrar of his ship's itinerary and the most convenient port for the survey to be carried out. The Registrar will make the necessary arrangements and notify the owner accordingly.
In addition to the authorized surveyors, the following classification societies have agreements with the Cambodian Ship Registry for the survey of and issuance of certificates to Cambodian ships:
American Bureau of Shipping
Bureau Veritas
China Classification Society
Det Norske Veritas
Hellenic Register of Shipping
Korean Register of Shipping
Lloyd's Register of Shipping
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai
Polski Rejestr Statkow
Registro Italiano Navale
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping
Owners requiring any of the above societies to survey their ships are advised to seek prior authorization from the Registrar. Authorization is considered on a case by case basis
Crewing
There are no restrictions on the nationality of officers and crew. All national or STCW Certificates of Competency are recognized. The minimum crewing standard for the safe operation of a vessel is determined by the office of the Registrar based on the type, size, power, and automation of the ship in accordance with accepted standards.
Mortgages
Vessel mortgages are governed by Section V of the Merchant Shipping (Registration) Act, 1994. A mortgage of a Cambodian ship or any share therein may be recorded in the register as soon as the ship is provisionally registered. First, the notarized mortgage instrument must be faxed to the Registrar. The Registrar will confirm a provisional time for the acceptance of the mortgage and the fees payable. Upon receipt of the fees and the original mortgage instrument by courier, the Registrar will recorded the mortgage in the Ship's Register with the time specified earlier. The Registrar will endorse the mortgage instrument and issue a Certificate of Mortgage. The endorsed mortgage instrument and Certificate of Mortgage are then sent to the applicant. In the case of a provisionally registered ship, mortgagees are advised to ensure that they sight the original document of title to ownership.
The same procedures apply for a transfer, transmission, or discharge of a mortgage.
If there is more than one mortgage registered in respect of the same vessel or share, the mortgagees shall, notwithstanding any express, implied or constructive notice, be entitled to priority according to the date and time of the recording of each mortgage in the Register Book and not according to the date of each mortgage itself. There are no restrictions on the nationality or place of business of mortgagees.
Mortgages are recorded by the same personnel and at the same location as the Ship Registry. Special arrangement may be made with the Registrar to complete simultaneous transactions involving two or more parties in different locations in the Cambodian Ship Registry Office.
Fees
For more information, contact the registry.
Contact
Stockholm Agreement 96
IMO Convention 48
* IMO amendments 91
* IMO amendments 93
SOLAS Convention 74
SOLAS Protocol 78
SOLAS Protocol 88
LOAD LINES Convention 66
LOAD LINES Protocol 88
TONNAGE Convention 69
COLREG Convention 72
CSC Convention 72
CSC amendments 93
SFV Protocol 93
STCW Convention 78
STCW-F Convention 95
SAR Convention 79
STP Agreement 71
STP Protocol 73
IMSO Convention 76
INMARSAT OA 76
INMARSAT amendments 94
INMARSAT amendments 98
IMSO amendments 2006
IMSO amendments 2008
FACILITATION Convention 65
MARPOL 73/78 (Annex I/II)
MARPOL 73/78 (Annex IV)
MARPOL 73/78 (Annex V)
MARPOL Protocol 97 (Annex VI)
London Convention 72
London Convention Protocol 96
INTERVENTION Convention 69
INTERVENTION Protocol 73
CLC Convention 69
CLC Protocol 76
CLC Protocol 92
FUND Convention 71
FUND Protocol 92
FUND Protocol 2003
NUCLEAR Convention 71
MARPOL 73/78 (Annex III)
PAL Protocol 76
PAL Protocol 90
PAL Protocol 02
LLMC Convention 76
LLMC Protocol 96
SUA Convention 2005
SUA Protocol 2005
SALVAGE Convention 89
OPRC Convention 90
HNS Convention 96
OPRC/HNS 2000
BUNKERS CONVENTION 01
ANTI FOULING 01
BALLASTWATER 2004
NAIROBI WRC 2007
HONG KONG CONVENTION
HNS PROT 2010
Cape Town Agreement 2012
SUA Convention 88
SUA Protocol 88
IMO Conventions
Status of Conventions Cambodia
IMO Convention 48 x
SOLAS Convention 74 x
SOLAS Protocol 78 x
SOLAS Protocol 88 x
SOLAS Agreement 96
LOAD LINES Convention 66 x
LOAD LINES Protocol 88 x
TONNAGE Convention 69 x
COLREG Convention 72 x
CSC Convention 72
CSC amendments 93
SFV Protocol 93
Cape Town Agreement 2012
STCW Convention 78 x
STCW-F Convention 95
SAR Convention 79
STP Agreement 71
Space STP Protocol 73
IMSO Convention 76
INMARSAT OA 76
IMSO amendments 2006
IMSO amendments 2008
FACILITATION Convention 65
MARPOL 73/78 (Annex I/II) x
MARPOL 73/78 (Annex III) x
MARPOL 73/78 (Annex IV) x
MARPOL 73/78 (Annex V) x
MARPOL Protocol 97 (Annex VI)
London Convention 72
London Convention Protocol 96
INTERVENTION Convention 69
INTERVENTION Protocol 73
CLC Convention 69 x
CLC Protocol 76 x
CLC Protocol 92 x
FUND Protocol 76
FUND Protocol 92 x
FUND Protocol 2003
NUCLEAR Convention 71
PAL Convention 74
PAL Protocol 76
PAL Protocol 90
PAL Protocol 02
LLMC Convention 76
LLMC Protocol 96
SUA Convention 88 x
SUA Protocol 88 x
SUA Convention 2005
SUA Protocol 2005
SALVAGE Convention 89
OPRC Convention 90
HNS Convention 96
HNS PROT 2010
OPRC/HNS 2000
BUNKERS CONVENTION 01
ANTI FOULING 2001
BALLASTWATER 2004
NAIROBI WRC 2007
HONG KONG CONVENTION
x= ratification
d=denunciation