Admiralty & Shipping

Belize offers an extremely efficient and cost-effective Registry, The International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE), with an excellent reputation for integrity and reliability.

Complementing this quality service, the firm offers efficient legal services in the drafting, preparation and registration of all documents necessary for ship registration and for matters connected therewith.

The firm also provides offshore, fiduciary, registered office/agent and shipping agent services as well as practical advice to shipping companies in all matters of shipping/admiralty law including, but not limited to, Ship Registration, Ship Financing, Ship Mortgage Registration and Ship owner’s Liability.

Belize Ship Registration

Our Firm acts as an Agent assisting clients with the compilation and preparation of required documents and information for registration. IMMARBE facilitates Provisional Registration, Permanent Registration, Dual Registration and Special Registration of vessels.

Provisional Registration may be processed and granted using copies of required documentation. This type of registration is temporary and valid for six months during which time the shipowner or his representative is expected to gather all documents necessary for permanent registration. Provisional Registration is applied for in cases where the shipowner requires registration but is not yet able to supply all required documentation for permanent registration. Vessels under construction may also apply for and be granted provisional registration under special conditions.

Permanent Registration is valid for five years and is effected immediately upon submission of all required documentation. All documents submitted must be in the English language, and if otherwise must be accompanied by an official English translation thereof. Original documents submitted must be certified by a notary public or other recognized and authorized public official who must certify the authenticity of the signature(s) appearing on the document as well as the authority of the person executing the document. Documents submitted in copy form must be certified by a notary public or other recognized and authorized public official who must certify the authenticity of the signature(s) appearing on the document as well as the authority of the person executing the document and must certify that the document is a true copy of its original.

IMMARBE also allows for Bareboat Charter Registration. Vessels may be registered as a second flag (“Charter-in”) under the terms of a Bareboat Charter Party provided that the original Registry grants its written consent. Vessels may also apply for a parallel registration in another country’s registry without affecting its status in Belize (“Charter-out”). Charter-in and Charter-out registrations may be authorized for a period of up to two years.

Vessels may also apply for Special Registration under certain circumstances such as on delivery voyage for scrap. Applying for and being granted Special Registration allows for documents to be issued with a validity of three months and automatic expiration when this period elapses. This special status does not entitle the vessel to a Deletion Certificate.

The Merchant Ships (Registration) Act, 2010 also provides for the registration of ship mortgages and maritime liens.

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