Organization : Department of Merchant Shipping
Facility : Registration of Ship
Country : Cyprus
Website : https://www.dms.gov.cy/dms/shipping.nsf/home_en/home_en?openform
Registration of Ship :
Conditions Of Ownership :
A vessel may only be registered in the Register of Cyprus Ships if :
Related : Cyprus Shipping Company Registration Department of Merchant Shipping : www.statusin.org/29732.html
A) More than fifty percent (50%) of the shares of the ship are owned :
** by Cypriot citizens or
** by citizens of other Member States1 who in the instance of not being permanent residents of the Republic will have appointed an authorised representative in the Republic of Cyprus, or
B) The total (100%) of the shares of the ship are owned by one or more corporations, which have been established and operate :
** in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Cyprus and have their registered office in the Republic, or
** in accordance with the laws of any other Member State and have their registered office, central administration or principal place of business within the European Economic Area and which will have either appointed an authorised representative in Cyprus or the management of the ship is entrusted in full to a Cypriot or a Community ship management company having its place of business in Cyprus, or
** outside Cyprus or outside any other Member State but controlled by Cypriot citizens or citizens of Member States and have either appointed an authorised representative in Cyprus or the management of the ship is entrusted in full to a Cypriot or a Community ship management company having its place of business in Cyprus.
The corporation is deemed to be controlled by Cypriots or citizens of any other Member States when more than fifty percent of its shares are owned by Cypriots or citizens of any other Member States or when the majority of the Directors of the corporation are Cypriot citizens or citizens of any other Member State.
A. Provisional Registration :
Administrative Procedures :
Cypriot merchant shipping legislation allows for the provisional registration of a vessel and most owners usually opt to have their ship provisionally registered first.
This will allow them time (up to 9 months, including a 3 month extension) during which they will be able to complete the administrative formalities for permanent registration.
The application for registration of a ship under the Cyprus flag must be made by a local lawyer to the Minister of Communications and Works through the Registrar of Cyprus Ships.
In practice, the Registrar will also accept the submission of applications for registration of ships on behalf of companies under formation, so that the incorporation of the company and registration of the ship can progress simultaneously. However the company must be duly incorporated prior to the registration of the vessel.
A ship may be provisionally registered under the Cyprus flag either in Limassol, by the Registrar of Cyprus Ships or at any diplomatic mission or consular post of the Republic of Cyprus abroad (hereinafter referred to as “consular officer”) who will act on instructions issued by the Registrar of Cyprus Ships.
At the time of her provisional registration under the Cyprus flag a ship must be at a port so that she can be surveyed and certified on behalf of the Cypriot government.
The presence of the ship at the port or place where the provisional registration will be effected is not necessary.
Application for Provisional Registration :
In order to enable the Registrar of Cyprus Ships to initiate the procedure for the provisional registration of a ship, the following information is required :
** name of the vessel and her flag at the time of the application;
** name of the person (legal or natural) applying for the registration of the vessel;
** name of the vessel under which she will be registered;
** particulars of the vessel (type, year of build, date keel of the vessel was laid, gross and net tonnage);
** name of the classification society with which the ship is entered. If the owners of the vessel contemplate a change of the classification society on acquiring the vessel this should also be stated;
** Declaration of Particulars of the company for ISM Code (Form ISM 01/Revision 03);
** intended trading area of the vessel;
** place where the vessel will be at the time of her provisional registration, if known. This must be communicated to the Registrar of Cyprus Ships prior to the provisional registration;
** the consular office where the owners wish to effect the provisional registration of the vessel;
** name and address of the shareholders and directors of the company in whose ownership the vessel will be registered.
Change of Ship’s Name :
If a change of the ship’s name is contemplated, 3 days must elapse between the date on which the application is submitted to the Registrar of Cyprus Ships and the date on which the registration of the ship or the proposed change in the name shall take place.