Ship Registration in Bahamas

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The Bahamas, known officially as the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an archipelagic state within the Lucayan Archipelago. It consists of more than 700 islands, cays, and islets in the Atlantic Ocean and is located north of Cuba and Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic); northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands; southeast of the US state of Florida and east of the Florida Keys. The capital is Nassau on the island of New Providence. The designation of “the Bahamas” can refer either to the country or to the larger island chain that it shares with the Turks and Caicos Island.

Why register a Ship in Bahamas?

The Bahamas ship register is the flag of choice for many top quality ship owners. It is one of the world’s largest Registers with over 50 million gross tons of ships flying the Bahamas Flag. The Bahamas Maritime Authority (“BMA”) is a semi-autonomous, government-owned corporation which focuses on maintaining the highest reputation of the Bahamian fleet and that high standards are maintained on Bahamian flag vessels as well as a clean maritime environment. Its function is to register vessels, enforce ship safety requirements and monitor and improve standards. The Merchant Shipping Act provides a comprehensive scheme for the registration of vessels under the Bahamas flag and is aimed at encouraging the use of The Bahamas Registry by foreign ship owners.

Advantages of Ship Registration in Bahamas

Its reputation of quality and excellence. The BMA welcomes all types of vessels to register whilst ensuring that the highest international standards are met.
It has a young fleet. The registration of older vessels is actively discouraged and ships over 12 years old are only admitted if they meet exceptional criteria.
It has offices around the world enabling the BMA to provide continuous support and assistance to shipowners, their agents and crew.
Availability of Nautical Inspectors
Foreigners can hold direct title to a Bahamian vessel
Tax Exemptions. The Bahamas does not impose any tax on income, capital gains or similar financial revenues
Competitive fees.
Crewing flexibility
Dual Registration. Where The Bahamas is the primary country of registration, bareboat or dual registry is allowed between the owner of a Bahamian vessel and a secondary country that allows for dual registry.
Simple process for the registration of Mortgages. The Act provides a simple, inexpensive and expedient procedure for the registration and discharge of mortgages

Registration Requirements

Foreign-owned vessels may be registered in The Bahamas if they are less that 12 years old, at least 1,600 net registered tons (NRT) and engaged in foreign trade. If a ship is more than 12 years old and is under 1,600 NRT, special permission has to be obtained from the Minister responsible for Maritime Affairs for the ship to be registered on the Bahamas Register. Permission may be granted subject to a satisfactory inspection conducted by an authorized Bahamas inspector at the discretion of the Minister.

To start the registration process, the ship owner must complete and submit to the BMA, form R102 (Application to Register) providing the names and general details of the ship along with form R104 (Registration of Managing Owner) which provides the contact details of the managers responsible for the management of the ship, along with copies of the ship’s current class certificates.

Once all registration requirements are fulfilled, the vessel will be registered and the following Bahamas certificates and documents will be issued:

Provisional Certificate of Registry
Radio Communication License
Safe Manning Document
Ship’s Carving and Marking Note
Oil Pollution CLC
Bunker CLC
Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR)
LRIT Conformance Test Report (CTR)
Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) – Part 1
Set of Ship Statutory Publications

Our company, for more than 20 years, has provided one of the best international services in Ship Registration in Bahamas. Our professionals are located at strategic points to provide you with all the information and possible assistance to your requirements. Therefore, if you need assistance or information about Ship Registration in Bahamas, please contact us.

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