Jordan
Shipowner Eligibility
Jordanian vessels can be owned by individuals, corporations, or partnerships of any nationality.
About the Flag
Located in the Middle East northwest of Saudi Arabia, Jordan is a constitutional and democratic monarchy with its capital at Amman. The King is the Chief of State and the Prime Minister is the Head of Government. There is a bicameral National Assembly, and the legal system is based on the French Law. Arabic is the official language, but English is understood by the vast majority of the people. Jordan is a full member of the United Nations, the Arab League, and the IMO, as well as member of the World Trade Organization WTO. Jordan benefited from increased Arab aid during the oil boom of the late 1970s and early 1980s when its gross national product grew at an annual rate of more than 10%. Since then, Jordan's economy has experienced several problems and rebounds. The principal exports are phosphates, fertilizers, potash and agricultural products, and chief trading partners are the EU, United States, Iraq, Japan, and Turkey. The unit of currency is the Jordanian Dinar JD. Aqaba is the only port in the country and it is a Free Zone Area Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZA).
The law which governs Jordan's maritime industry is the Maritime Commercial Law No. (12) year 1972, chapter (3) article (10) to article (42), based on Napoleon's French Civil Code. In addition, the Encouragement of Investment Law No. (16) year 1995 gives investors great benefits in order to invest in Jordan. The Registry is administered by the Ports Corporation in Aqaba.
Company Formation
Company formation in Jordan is governed by the Company Law 1997. There are five different types of commercial companies in Jordan:
• Joint Liability Company
• Partnership in commendam Company
• Limited Liability Company (may be a “one man” company)
• Commandite by Shares Company
• Public Liability Company
Companies founded by agreements between the Jordanian government and any other government and Arab companies which are registered in the Arab League or branches related to it are also accepted. These companies are governed by special laws. In addition, there are “Free Zones Companies” which are registered in the free zones and are governed by the Free Zone Establishment Law, Civil Companies, and Nonprofit Companies.
Taxation
According to the Encouragement of Investment Law No. (16) year 1995, there are no taxes and fees payable on either the income or the assets of foreign companies for the first ten years. After that, the taxable income of a foreign company doing business in Jordan shall be charged at a rate of 15%. The nations with which Jordan has entered into a double taxation agreement are: France, Malaysia, Poland, Tunisia, and Turkey.
Registration and Documentation
In order to register a vessel in the Kingdom, the vessel owner must furnish these documents to the Ports Corporation:
• Legalized Bill of Sale
• Consent to transfer from existing registry, if appropriate
• If the shipowner is a company, information regarding the company including if there are any foreign partners and the extent of their shares
• Proof that the vessel is free of recorded liens, or a statement regarding the amount and holder of such liens
• Proof that the custom tax has been paid
Faxed or photocopies of registration documentation are not acceptable.
Bareboat Charter Registration
Jordanian laws do not allow bareboat charter registration into or out of the country.
Vessel and Yacht Eligibility & Survey Requirements
There is no age limitation for vessels in Jordan. Representatives of the Ship Registry will conduct all surveys.
Crewing
Half of the crew of a Jordanian vessel must be Jordanian citizens. All crew members must meet all international and national standards according to the IMO.
Mortgages
The shipowner or his agent can effect a mortgage on a ship which must be recorded in the register.
Fees
Fees are quoted in Jordanian dinar.
Initial Registration
Every net ton over 500 NRT: 2.50
Other Shipping Related Fees
Permission to sell a vessel: 25% of registration fees
Mortgages
Execution: 3% of the total loan
Registration: 1% of total loan
Altering or amending mortgage conditions:. 1.00
Transfer of mortgage rights: 1.00
Discharge: 1.00
Contact
Jordan Maritime Commission
Engineer Mohammad Alshawawreh
Head of port state control Department
P.O.Box 171
Aqaba
77110
Jordan
Phone
+96232015858 - Branch 232
+962795220809
Email
psc@jma.gov.jo
mbassam773@gmail.com
Fax
+96232060311
Website: www.jma.gov.jo
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 Jordan
IMO Convention 48 x
SOLAS Convention 74 x
SOLAS Protocol 78
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 x
CSC amendments 93
SFV Protocol 93
Cape Town Agreement 2012
STCW Convention 78 x
STCW-F Convention 95
SAR Convention 79 x
STP Agreement 71
Space STP Protocol 73
IMSO Convention 76 x
INMARSAT OA 76
IMSO amendments 2006
IMSO amendments 2008 x
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) x
London Convention 72 x
London Convention Protocol 96
INTERVENTION Convention 69
INTERVENTION Protocol 73
CLC Convention 69 d
CLC Protocol 76
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
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 x
OPRC Convention 90 x
HNS Convention 96
HNS PROT 2010
OPRC/HNS 2000
BUNKERS CONVENTION 01 x
ANTI FOULING 2001 x
BALLASTWATER 2004 x
NAIROBI WRC 2007 x
HONG KONG CONVENTION
x= ratification
d=denunciation