Valsen Corporate

Palau Ship Registration

The Palau International Shipping Registry has officially opened its doors following a launch ceremony which saw the registration of its first two vessels, the cruise ships Amusement World (12,764 Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT)) and Leisure World (15,653 GRT) operated by Universal Ship Management.
The Republic of Palau consists of eight principal islands and more than 250 smaller ones lying in the western Pacific, with maritime boundaries with Indonesia, Philippines and the Federate State of Micronesia. The Registry is headquartered and administered in Houston, USA.
Despite the territory’s diminutive size, with a population of just 22,000, the Registry is aiming to punch well above its weight, and has already signed up to the most significant major shipping conventions, including: the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea; the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships; the Safety of Training, Certification and Watch keeping; the Bunker Convention; the Civil Liability Convention; and the Maritime Labor Convention 2006, among others.
Overview and Requirements
Palau ship registration can either be done in the four below categories:
Provisional Registration
A vessel’s provisional Certificate of Registry is valid for 6 months but may be granted extensions as deemed appropriate by the Administration under special and compelling circumstances. This should give the ship-Owner or his representative sufficient time to gather all necessary documents required for permanent registration.
The required documents are listed herewith:

  1. Request for confirmation of availability of vessel’s name
  2. Copy of Application for Registration of Ships form duly signed by the applicant *. The said application contains required information for the Minimum Safe Manning of the vessel. Furthermore, PISR FORM 003 for Assessment for Safety Navigational Operation Form is requested. The registration of each vessel requires one application.
  3. Copy of Application for Radio Ship Station License form duly signed by the applicant. The registration of each vessel requires one application.
  4. Proof of Ownership by submitting any of the following documents:
  • Copy of Notarized Bill of Sale if the ownership of the vessel has changed from the previous Flag
  • Copy of Notarized Builder certificate if the ship is a new building
  • Copy of Notarized Auction documents issued by the court if the vessel had been bought though an Auction sale
  1. Copy of Certificate of Articles of incorporation – for applications by a Company
  2. Copy of Passport – for applicant by an Individual.
  3. Evidence of cancellation or processing cancellation of previous marine document.
  4. Copy of current CSR issued by the previous flag administration from which the vessel is being transferred from.
  5. Application for CSR for initial CSR under Palau.
  6. Letter of confirmation of survey from the proposed Recognized Organization responsible for the survey and issuance of statutory certificates.
  7. Radio Accounting Authority letter (RAA) approved by Palau registry, if applicable.
  8. Copy of previous Tonnage certificate.
  9. Copy of previous Certificate of Registry.
  10. If the vessel is a tanker or a refrigerated cargo a Declaration of Cargo is required.
  11. Compliance with LRIT.
  12. Evidence that fees for registration has been accepted and paid accordingly through acceptance of quote sent to our accounting department or copy of wire transfer slip.

Notes:
For provisional registration, the aforesaid documents may be submitted by fax or scanned copies by way of email.
Permanent Registration
Following the 6 months of provisional registration, the owner of the vessel may request the Ship Registry Administrator to issue Permanent Certificate of Registry. Permanent Registration can be done at any time during the provisional registration period upon submission of the necessary documentation as well as with the relevant fees. In order for the Permanent Certificate of Registry to be issued the following should be presented:

  • Copy of Application for Registration of Ships form duly signed by the applicant *. The said application contains required information for the Minimum Safe Manning of the vessel. Furthermore, PISR FORM 003 for Assessment for Safety Navigational Operation Form is requested. The registration of each vessel requires one application.
  • Copy of Application for Radio Ship Station License form duly signed by the applicant. The registration of each vessel requires one application.
  • Deletion Certificate from Previous Registry.
  • Proof of Ownership by submitting any of the following documents:
  1. Original certified True Copy of the original Notarized Bill of Sale if the ownership of the vessel has changed from the previous Flag
  2. Original certified True Copy of the original Notarized Builder certificate if the ship is a new building
  3. Original certified True Copy of the original Notarized Auction documents issued by the court if the vessel had been bought though an Auction sale
  • Evidence that the vessel is in a seaworthy condition (copy of statutory certificates and class certificate for ships over 500 GRT).
  • A picture of the vessel showing vessels markings and the name of the ship, IMO number and port of registry and draft.
  • Copy of the Full Term Tonnage Certificate which has been issued under Palau flag.
  • Copy of (Valid) Statutory Certificates and class certificate for ships over 500 GRT.
  • Valid ISM / ISPS (if applicable).
  • Crew Master List signed by Master with ship manager or ship-owner’s stamp.
  • Copy of COC, COE.
  • Radio Accounting Authority letter (RAA) approved by Palau registry, if applicable.
  • Compliance with LRIT.
  • Compliance with:
  1. Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (Bunker CLC) (All vessels over 1000 GT).
  2. Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC) (Tankers only).
  3. Liability for Removal of Wrecks (NWRC) (All vessels over 300 GT).
  • Duly paid Registration Fees (no outstanding from Provisional Stage).
  • No Permanent Certificate of Registration can be issued unless all the above are received and the vessel is in accordance with the Requirements of the Palau Registration Regulations.