Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Shipowner Eligibility
Ships must be owned by any of:
• An individual who is a citizen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines domiciled in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Any body corporate, partnership, or other association of individuals registered in accordance with the laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and having its main office in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Any body corporate, partnership or other association of individuals registered according to law in any foreign country, provided that where the main office is situated outside St. Vincent and the Grenadines a registered agent is appointed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
About the Flag
St. Vincent and the Grenadines are located in the Windward Islands of the Caribbean and are comprised of the main island, St. Vincent and the smaller Grenadines Islands to the south. Full independence was gained from Britain in 1979, and they are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, the OAS, CARICOM, the UN, the IMO and the ILO.
The political climate is consistently stable in this constitutional monarchy. There is a Unicameral House of Assembly. The Head of Government is the Prime Minister, and the Head of State is the British Queen represented by a Governor General. The primary language is English and a local patois is also spoken.
Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of the economy. The services industries are growing as well. Chief exports are bananas, arrowroot, eddoes and dasheen (taro), and tennis racquets. Principal trading partners are the United Kingdom, the United States, the O.E.C.S, and the CARICOM nations. The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is historically rooted in the seafaring industry and has developed as one of the world's most important open flag registries. Registration of ships is governed by the Merchant Shipping Act of 1982 as amended and as administered by the Commissioner for Maritime Affairs at the Switzerland and Monaco offices.
Company Formation
The International Business Companies Act No. 8 of 1994 and the International Business Companies Act 1996 govern Vincentian companies. International business companies are normally the preferred entity for international transactions.
A minimum of one director is required upon company formation. There are no requirements as to nationality and residency, and no annual reporting is necessary. There are also no restrictions on nationality for company officers. It is not required that a St. Vincent and the Grenadines citizen act as manager of the company, although managers can be obtained on the islands. Shareholders are not disclosed, and although annual meetings are required, they need not be held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Corporate bodies may act as shareholders of companies. There is no minimum share capital, and bearer shares may be issued. Articles of Incorporation and bylaws must be filed. Companies may be formed through the Office of the Commissioner for Maritime Affairs.
Taxation
See Fees Section
Registration and Documentation
Registration may be effected from Monaco, Geneva, Greece, or Hong Kong. Representative Agents in London, Dubai and Fort Lauderdale (for yachts) are also available.
For provisional registration, the following required documentation may be faxed to the appropriate office with the originals sent thereafter:
• Application for Registration
• Tonnage Certificate of Certificate of Measurement (photocopy only)
• Confirmation from the classification society that the vessel is in class; has valid statutory certificates; class will be retained under new ownership/flag; and new statutory certificates will be issued after completion of the necessary surveys
• Permission for Transfer or Transcript of Register and/or Non-Encumbrance Certificate or Deletion Certificate from the previous registry
• Proof of ownership or photocopy of notarized Bill of Sale or photocopy of Purchase Contract
Certificate of Good Standing of the buying company
• Accounting Authority Identification Code (AAIC) and confirmation from the accounting authority that they are settling the radio traffic accounts
• Payment of registration and annual fees
• Copy of ISM Document of Compliance of vessel’s operator and a copy of the short term (or interim) SMC or confirmation from the authorized organization that same is being issued (if applicable)
• Name of the insurance company and P&I
For permanent registration, the following documents are required:
• Original notarized Bill of Sale
• Original Ship’s Carving and Marking Note completed and stamped by classification surveyor
Original or certified copy of Certificate of Deletion from previous registry
• Photocopy of Class and Statutory Certificates including the Interim Safety Management Certificate (if applicable)
• Original Radio Installations Inspection Report
• Confirmation of insurance coverage and P&I
Provisional Certificates of Registry are issued for six months, and permanent certificates are of unlimited duration unless revoked at the owner’s request or Register’s instigation.
Bareboat Charter Registration
Bareboat charter registration into the St. Vincent flag is permitted for a minimum period of two years and a maximum period of four years. Registration fees for bareboat chartered vessels are half that of normal registration fees. The following documentation is required:
• Original written application
• Proof of ownership and consent of the owner
• Copy of the charterparty, certified as true and correct
• Copies of all mortgages in English or certified as correctly translated, indicating name of vessel, names of parties, total original amount, discharge amount, and date of maturity
• Written consent of country of registration, or evidence that consent is not required
• Certificate of Ownership and Encumbrances, transcript of registry or other document from the foreign registry showing all recorded liens and encumbrances
• Photocopy of the existing Tonnage Certificate
• Confirmation from Classification Society that vessel’s class will be retained under new Ownership/Flag and that new statutory certificates will be issued after completion of the necessary surveys
• Copy of ISM Document of Compliance (DOC) of the vessel’s operator and a copy of the short term (or interim) SMC or confirmation from authorized organization that same is being issued (when applicable)
• Confirmation from the accounting authority that they are settling the radio traffic accounts
It is also possible for a St. Vincent and the Grenadines vessel to be bareboat registered out to a foreign jurisdiction. In that case, the following is required:
• Original written consent of the Registrar or Commissioner
• Original written consent of all holders of record of any mortgage or other charges recorded by the Registrar
• Proof that the vessel document issued by the foreign jurisdiction is endorsed with evidence of all mortgages recorded against the vessel
• Copy of the foreign document, certified as true and correct (must be submitted within 30 days following bareboat registration in the foreign jurisdiction)
Documentation for dual registration into or out of the flag may be submitted at any of the four registration offices.
Vessel and Yacht Eligibility & Survey Requirements
Vincentian vessels must be less than 18 years old unless special permission is granted. This condition does not apply to vessels registered for scrap purposes, and there are no tonnage limitations or restrictions. A change of flag survey by an authorized classification society is required. The Administration has implemented an annual Flag Administration Survey by an accredited surveyor to the Administration.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines surveyors have been appointed in most ports throughout the world. In addition, the following classification societies are authorized to carry out initial and annual surveys:
• American Bureau of Shipping
• Bureau Veritas
• China Classification Society
• Det Norske Veritas
• Hellenic Register of Shipping
• Hrvatski Registar Brodova – Croatian Register of Shipping
• International Naval Surveys Bureau
• Korean Register of Shipping
• Lloyd’s Register of Shipping
• Nippon Kaiji Kyokai
• Polski Rejestr Statkow
• Registro Italiano Navale
• Maritime (Russian) Register of Shipping
• Societe Generale de Surveillance for ISM documents and SMCs only
The following classification societies have been authorised under certain conditions:
• Turkish Lloyd
• Indian Register of Shipping
Crewing
Manning requirements are governed by the Merchant Shipping Act, 1982, as amended in compliance with Ch. V, Reg 13 (b) of SOLAS 74 as amended. There are no nationality requirements. Any national Licenses of Competency duly enforced with STCW 78 as amended 95 provisions are recognized.
Mortgages
In order to record a mortgage, a Mortgage Deed together with an Affidavit of Good Faith, must be presented at any of the registration offices and must contain the execution date, amount secured, discharge amount, and date of maturity.
It must be signed by both the mortgagor and mortgagee and notarized by a notary public.
A Deletion Certificate will not be released until all mortgages, liens, etc., have been satisfied.
Fees
Fees and Taxes
Registration Fees
Registration Fee (1 – 999999 GT)
per GT US$ 0.60
Minimum US$ 1000.00
Maximum US$ 8000.00
Registration Fee (Scrap)
Minimum US$ 1000.00
Maximum US$ 8000.00
Registration Fee (Bare-Boat)
per GT US$ 0.30
Minimum US$ 1000.00
Maximum US$ 8000.00
Registration Fee (Yachts) US$ 500.00
Registration Fee (Charter Yacht) US$ 1,000.00
Registration Fee (Yacht with LCA) US$ 1,000.00
Annual Taxes
Annual Tax (1 - 999999 GT)
per GT US$ 0.07
Minimum US$ 250.00
Annual Tax (Yachts) US$ 250.00
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
Provisional Certificate Of Registry US$ 100.00
Full Term Certificate Of Registry US$ 100.00
Provisional Radio Licence Certificate US$ 50.00
Full Term Radio Licence Certificate US$ 115.00
I. T. C. 69 Certificate (Prov/Full Term). US$ 100.00
Minimum Safe Manning Certificate. US$ 100.00
Allocation Of Mmsi US$ 50.00
Transcript Of Register. US$ 100.00
Non Encumbrance/Ownership Certificate . US$ 50.00
Consultation Of The Registry Book US$ 100.00
Consultation Of Registry Book-All Pages US$ 200.00
Extension Of Registry Cert/Radio Licence. US$ 50.00
Attestation/Confirmation. US$ 50.00
Confirmation Of Registry. US$ 50.00
Deletion Certificate. US$ 100.00
Permission For Transfer Of Registration US$ 100.00
Reservation Of Name US$ 50.00
Change Of Ownership US$ 250.00
Change Of Name Of Vessel. US$ 100.00
Change In Owner's Name. US$ 100.00
Change In Owner's Domiciliation US$ 100.00
Change Of Vessel Type US$ 200.00
Certified Copy Of Document. US$ 40.00
Legalisation Of Document. US$ 50.00
Permit To Operate High-Speed Craft. US$ 1000.00
Civil Liability Certificate US$ 100.00
Bcc St. Vincent Vessel. US$ 200.00
Bcc Foreign Vessel. US$ 300.00
Wrc St. Vincent Vessel. US$ 200.00
Wrc Foreign Vessel. US$ 300.00
Registration Of A Tender. US$ 600.00
Annual Tax Attestation/Receipt. US$ 25.00
Record Of Bareboat Charter Party. US$ 600.00
Consent To Bareboat Registration. US$ 100.00
Registration And Discharge Of Mortgage. US$ 700.00
Registration And Discharge Of Encumbrance/Claim/Lien. US$ 700.00
Assignment Of Mortgage. US$ 200.00
Transfer Of Mortgage. US$ 600.00
Change In Priority Of Mortgages US$ 200.00
Addendum/Amendment Of Mortgage. US$ 300.00
Record Of Mortgage (Bare-Boat). US$ 50.00
Continuous Synopsis Record (C.S.R) US$ 100.00
S.M.C. (Full Term). US$ 500.00
Amendment To S.M.C. US$ 100.00
Re-Issue Of Smc US$ 250.00
I.S.S.C. (Full Term). US$ 500.00
Amendment To I.S.S.C. US$ 100.00
Re-Issue Of Issc. US$ 250.00
Initial Lrit Ctr. US$ 400.00
Subsequent Lrit Ctr US$ 200.00
Amendment To Lrit Ctr US$ 100.00
M.L.C. (Full Term). US$ 500.00
Amendment To M.L.C. US$ 100.00
D.M.L.C. Part I US$ 100.00
Amendment To D.M.L.C. Part I. US$ 50.00
Authorisation As Per Mail Dated US$ 100.00
Exemption Issued On US$ 200.00
Sopep Document Of Approval. US$ 100.00
Certificate Of Seaworthiness. US$ 500.00
Condition Assessment Scheme (Cas) US$ 5000.00
Reconciliation Letter US$ 200.00
Declaration Of Compliance (Eu Directive). US$ 100.00
Change In Yacht Registration. US$ 500.00
Document Of Compliance (Pleasure Yachts). US$ 200.00
Statement Of Compl. (Pleas. Yachts <24m). US$ 200.00
Document Of Compliance (Charter Yachts) US$ 500.00
Document Of Compliance (L.C.A.) US$ 500.00
Endorsement Of Document US$ 30.00
Seaman's Book US$ 100.00
Stcw 95 (Officers). US$ 150.00
Revalidation Stcw 95 Certificate. US$ 100.00
Gmdss 95. US$ 100.00
Revalidation Gmdss 95 US$ 75.00
Fraudulent Licence Fine US$ 500.00
Forged Svg Endorsement. US$ 3000.00
Stcw Second Extension Letter. US$ 30.00
Stcw Third Extension Letter US$ 40.00
Endorsement Of Chemical Tanker. US$ 75.00
Endorsement Of Liquefied Gas Tanker US$ 75.00
Endorsement Of Oil Tanker US$ 75.00
Duplicate Endorsement US$ 100.00
Duplicate Seaman's Book US$ 100.00
Duplicate Gmdss US$ 50.00
Duplicate Chemical Tanker US$ 50.00
Duplicate Liquefied Gas Tanker. US$ 50.00
Duplicate Oil Tanker. US$ 50.00
Duplicate Of Document US$ 40.00
Encumbrance For Late Payment. US$ 400.00
Contact
GENEVA Office
St. Vincent & the Grenadines Maritime Administration
8 avenue de Frontenex
CH - 1207 Geneva
Phone : (+41) 22 707 63 00
Fax : (+41) 22 707 63 50
E-mail : geneva@svg-marad.com
Emergency : (+41) 79 447 96 76
Security And Technical Division
8 avenue de Frontenex
CH - 1207 Geneva
Phone : (+41) 22 707 63 00
Fax : (+41) 22 707 63 49
E-mail : technical@svg-marad.com
Emergency : (+41) 79 447 96 76
Website: http://www.svg-marad.com/home.asp
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 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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 x
Space STP Protocol 73 x
IMSO Convention 76
INMARSAT OA 76
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) x
London Convention 72 x
London Convention Protocol 96
INTERVENTION Convention 69 x
INTERVENTION Protocol 73 x
CLC Convention 69 d
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 x
SUA Protocol 2005 x
SALVAGE Convention 89
OPRC Convention 90
HNS Convention 96
HNS PROT 2010
OPRC/HNS 2000
BUNKERS CONVENTION 01 x
ANTI FOULING 2001
BALLASTWATER 2004 x
NAIROBI WRC 2007 x
HONG KONG CONVENTION
x= ratification
d=denunciation