Isreal
Shipowner Eligibility
Eligibility is regulated by the Shipping Law (Vessels) 1960 which states that "A vessel more than half of which is owned by the State, an Israeli national or an Israeli corporation is eligible for registration."
Permissible eligibility for foreign nationals or foreign corporations is regulated by article 3(a) of the law which states that "Where a vessel does not fulfill the conditions of eligibility mentioned in Article 2, the Minister of Transport, if satisfied that a sufficient link exists between the vessel and the State of Israel, may permit in writing, that said owner's vessel is registered in the Israeli Register, or to remain so registered, subject to conditions or unconditionally, as he may think fit." It appears that the above phrase regarding a "sufficient link" is open for interpretation by the Minister, subject to Government policy.
Any Israeli national in the broad sense of citizenship or a corporation legally registered or legally established in Israel or any foreign owner in accordance with permissible eligibility is acceptable for ownership of a vessel in the Register.
About the Flag
Established in 1948, Israel is located in the Middle East bordering the Mediterranean Sea between Egypt and Lebanon. A republic, Israel is a UN and IMO member with its capital at Jerusalem. The legal system is a mixture of English common law, British mandate regulations, and, in personal matters, the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems. The Chief of State is the President and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister; there is a unicameral parliament.
Hebrew is the official language, and English and Arabic are also spoken. Israel has a market economy with government intervention. Its agricultural and industrial sectors have developed rapidly over the last 20 years, and the nation is largely self-sufficient in food production except grain. The unit of currency is the Israeli shekel. Major trading partners include the EU, the United States, and Japan; exports include machinery and equipment, cut diamonds, and chemicals.
The Shipping and Ports Authority within the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety oversees vessel registration. The relevant legislation is the Vessels' Ordinance (Mortgage & Transfer) 1948; the Shipping Law (Vessels) 1960; the Shipping Law (Regulations of Building & Measurements) 1961; and the Shipping Law (Regulations of Registration) 1962.
Company Formation
Companies must be owned 51% by Israeli citizens.
Taxation
Taxation of shipping companies follows the usual taxation of companies. However, vessels which transfer goods between foreign ports are not taxed even when they call on Israeli ports because the goods are considered to be in transit in Israeli waters.
Registration and Documentation
In order to obtain the permanent registration of a vessel with the Israeli Registry, the following must be presented at the Shipping and Ports Administration in Haifa:
• Original Deletion Certificate from the previous registry, notarized and legalized
• Original Builder’s Certificate or Bill of Sale, notarized and legalized
• Photocopy of Israeli company registration, or if not a corporation, personal identification to prove affiliation with the Israeli state
Provisional registration may be made through a local Israeli consul. Certificates of Registry have no expiration.
Deletion of a vessel from the Register may be obtained depending on a formal request for deletion and the Minister’s permission to delete.
Bareboat Charter Registration
Bareboat charter registration into or out of the Israeli flag is not allowed.
Vessel and Yacht Eligibility & Survey Requirements
There are no age limitations for vessels provided they are seaworthy. Survey and statutory safety requirements are in strict conformity with the various IMO/ILO/WHO requirements and conventions. The following classification societies have been authorized to survey vessels and issue certificates on behalf of the Israeli Government:
• American Bureau of Shipping
• Bureau Veritas
• Det Norske Veritas
• Lloyd’s Register of Shipping
Crewing
The certification, documentation, and enforcement of manpower control and ships articles is regulated by the Shipping Law Seamen (1973). There are no nationality requirements for officers or crew, but it is preferred that seafarers on Israeli vessels be Israeli nationals.
Mortgages
Mortgages are recorded at the Shipping and Ports Administration where vessels are registered. An original mortgage contract and an application to record a mortgage signed in the presence of the Registrar in Israel by both the mortgagor and the mortgagee must be presented for recording.
Fees
For more information, contact one of the following organizations:
Registration
Shipping and Ports Administration
Ministry of Transport and Road Safety
P.O. Box 806
Haifa 31999
Israel
Tel: 972-4-8632100
Fax: 972-4-8632111
Email: ships@mot.gov.il
Website: en.mot.gov.il
Visiting Address:
15A Pal-Yam Blvd.
Haifa
Israel
Shipowners' Association
Israel Shipowners' Association
P.O. Box 1723
9 Andrei Sakharov Street
Matam
31016 Haifa
Israel
Tel: [972] (4) 867 7382
Fax: [972] (4) 867 7383
Contact
Registration
Facilitation purposes
Ministry of Transport
Mr Zvi Shapira
Head Economic Department
Administration of Shipping & Ports
Government District – Building B, 15A Pal – Yam Street
Haifa 31999
P.O. Box 806
Israel
Phone
+ 972-4-8632-101
Email
shapiraz@mot.gov.il
Fax
+ 972-4-8632-111
Ministry of Transport - Administration of Shipping and Ports
Ch. Eng. BORIS VOLOSHIN
Senior Marine Surveyor, PSC team Leader
Yitzhak Rabin Government Complex, Building 2
15A Pal-Yam Street
P.O. Box 806
Haifa
31999
Israel
Phone
+972 4 8632080
+972 4 8632046
Email
voloshinb@mot.gov.il
psc@mot.gov.il
Fax
+972-4-8632118
Shipowners' Association
Israel Shipowners' Association
P.O. Box 1723
9 Andrei Sakharov Street
Matam
31016 Haifa
Israel
Tel: [972] (4) 867 7382
Fax: [972] (4) 867 7383
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 Isreal
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
TONNAGE Convention 69 x
COLREG Convention 72 x
CSC Convention 72 x
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 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)
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
CLC Protocol 76
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 x
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