Egypt
Shipowner Eligibility
The shipowner must be an Egyptian subject, either an individual and/or a company incorporated in Egypt with the majority of shares belonging to Egyptians.
About the Flag
Located in Northern Africa bordering the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and the Gaza Strip, Egypt is a republic with its capital at Cairo. The legal system is based on Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes. The Chief of State is the President, and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister. There is a bicameral legislature: the People’s Assembly and the Advisory Council. Arabic is the official language but English and French are widely understood. Egypt is a member of the UN and IMO.
Whilst for several years, half of Egypt’s gross national product originated in the public sector, and most industrial plants were owned by the government, the situation has now changed in this respect as Egypt adopted a privatization scheme whereby the private and the Public Enterprise Sectors largely contribute in Egypt’s gross national product side by side with the public sector. Its chief exports are crude oil and petroleum products and also cotton, yarn and raw cotton. Leading trading partners are the EU, Japan, and the United States.
The monetary unit is the Egyptian pound. The Egyptian Registry of Ships Act for 1949 governs the Egyptian Ship Registry which is under the control and management of the Egyptian Ministry of Maritime Transport.
Company Formation
The Investment Company Act 230/1989 governs private and public companies while the Joint Stock Company Act 159/1981 governs joint foreign stock companies. Joint foreign stock companies must have a minimum capital of Egp. 250,000. Identities of directors, officers, and shareholders are not confidential.
Taxation
Public and private Egyptian shipowning companies enjoy a tax exemption which normally ranges between 15 to 25 years subject to Investment Authority approval. Joint foreign stock companies do not enjoy such exemption. 40% is the maximum tax deduction out of the total commercial net profit per annum for joint foreign stock companies.
Registration and Documentation
In order to register a vessel in Egypt, the following documents must be submitted before the Egyptian Ports and Lights Authority for the attention of the Mercantile Department:
- Bill of Sale
- Certificate of Nonmortgage
- Certificate of Non-Liens
- Seaworthiness Certificates
- Technical designs
Such documents must be originals, notarized and legalized. Registrations may be effected through Consulates until the vessel reaches an Egyptian port. Provisional registration may last for two years and a further two years is allowed for completion of documentation for ratification through the Ministry of Maritime Transport. Once the Permanent Certificate of Registry is issued, it has no expiration.
Bareboat Charter Registration
Egypt does not allow bareboat charter registrations into or out of the flag.
Vessel and Yacht Eligibility & Survey Requirements
General cargo vessels being registered in Egypt for the first time must be under 20 years of age. The age limitation for registering passenger vessels for the first time is 15 years. There are no tonnage requirements. Vessels must be inspected by the Ports and Lights Authority. In addition, vessels must be classed with one of the major classification societies.
Crewing
The crew of an Egyptian vessel must be comprised of at least 90% Egyptians, and those seafarers must receive at least 95% of the total crew payroll. Companies established under the Investment Company Act would enjoy a higher flexibly over the percentage of Egyptian crew to work on an Egyptian vessel.
Manning scales are governed by the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978.
Mortgages
Ship mortgages are recorded at the same office as ship Registrations. The submitted Contract of Mortgage will be published and ratified. There are no nationality requirements for mortgagees.
Fees
The calculation of the registration fees is based according to the vessel’s tonnage. Mortgage fees are calculated as per the place of issuance of the Mortgage Contract.
Contact
Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety (EAFMS)
Eng. Takey El Deen Mahmoud Ibrahim
Maritime Inspector
Bab Gomrok 1 Ras El Tin
Alexandria
21513
Egypt
Phone
00201001997867
Email
Psc@eams.gov.eg
Fax
002034875633
Telex
54407
Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety (EAFMS)
Eng. Refaat Armanious
Manager of International Conventions Implementation Dept.
Bab Gomrok-1
Ras El Tin
Alexandria
21513
Egypt
Phone
00201201536203
Email
fs.psc.matters@eams.gov.eg
Fax
002034875633
Telex
54407
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 Egypt
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
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 x
Space STP Protocol 73 x
IMSO Convention 76 x
INMARSAT OA 76 x
IMSO amendments 2006
IMSO amendments 2008
FACILITATION Convention 65 x
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 x
London Convention Protocol 96 x
INTERVENTION Convention 69 x
INTERVENTION Protocol 73 x
CLC Convention 69 x
CLC Protocol 76 x
CLC Protocol 92 x
FUND Protocol 76
FUND Protocol 92
FUND Protocol 2003
NUCLEAR Convention 71
PAL Convention 74 x
PAL Protocol 76
PAL Protocol 90 x
PAL Protocol 02
LLMC Convention 76 x
LLMC Protocol 96
SUA Convention 88 x
SUA Protocol 88 x
SUA Convention 2005
SUA Protocol 2005
SALVAGE Convention 89 x
OPRC Convention 90 x
HNS Convention 96
HNS PROT 2010
OPRC/HNS 2000 x
BUNKERS CONVENTION 01 x
ANTI FOULING 2001 x
BALLASTWATER 2004 x
NAIROBI WRC 2007
HONG KONG CONVENTION
x= ratification
d=denunciation