Valsen Corporate

Antigua and Barbuda Ship Registration

In 2011, the Caribbean territory of Antigua and Barbuda officially launched the Antigua and Barbuda Yacht Registry at a ceremony held in November that year.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director/Registrar General of Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping, Dwight Gardiner said that the territory’s shipping registry had already experienced significant success with the number of merchant ships registered amounting to approximately 1,400.
Approximately 240 yachts are currently registered in the territory, but the government has decided that in order to further expand this segment it will establish a registry dedicated to pleasure vessels.
Key Features of an Antigua and Barbuda Ship Registration

  1. There are no age limits for ships registering in Antigua and Barbuda, however for ships more than 12 months old, it is a requirement that the ship is inspected by a flag state inspector prior to acceptance for registry.
  2. Applicants must be able to demonstrate:
  3. Proof of ownership, which may be a Bill of Sale or a Builder’s Certificate in the case of a new-build;
  4. That the ship is not registered elsewhere at the same time and this is usually with a Certificate of Deletion from the previous registry if there is one;
  5. Proof of eligibility to own an Antigua and Barbuda ship which may be a copy of a passport for CARICOM nationals, or a copy of the certificate of Incorporation for corporate entities;
  6. And that the owning Company is in good standing in the case of corporate entities over one year old.
  7. In order to register a vessel in Antigua and Barbuda, the applicant must be meeting one of the following requirements:
  8. Be a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda or of a Member State of the Caribbean Community or the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States;
  9. Be a legal corporate body in Antigua and Barbuda;
  10. Be a corporation registered under the International Business Corporation Act;
  11. Be a corporate body or a partnership concern registered elsewhere which is registered under the Companies Act.
  12. Commercial yachts are yachts that engage in any kind of commercial activity for reward.  This includes chartering. Because such vessels are not Pleasure Yachts they fall within the scope of the international conventions governing shipping standards and they must comply with various safety standards. The ownership requirements are the same as for merchant vessels.

Why Valsen Fiduciaries

  1. Speedy and Efficient Service
  2. Expert advice on structuring options
  3. Dedicated ongoing compliance support
  4. Clientele Priority

Offers the best value of any country/jurisdiction in the World.
In 2011, the Caribbean territory of Antigua and Barbuda officially launched the Antigua and Barbuda Yacht Registry at a ceremony held in November that year.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director/Registrar General of Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping, Dwight Gardiner said that the territory’s shipping registry had already experienced significant success with the number of merchant ships registered amounting to approximately 1,400.
Approximately 240 yachts are currently registered in the territory, but the government has decided that in order to further expand this segment it will establish a registry dedicated to pleasure vessels.
Key Features of an Antigua and Barbuda Ship Registration

  1. There are no age limits for ships registering in Antigua and Barbuda, however for ships more than 12 months old, it is a requirement that the ship is inspected by a flag state inspector prior to acceptance for registry.
  2. Applicants must be able to demonstrate:
  3. Proof of ownership, which may be a Bill of Sale or a Builder’s Certificate in the case of a new-build;
  4. That the ship is not registered elsewhere at the same time and this is usually with a Certificate of Deletion from the previous registry if there is one;
  5. Proof of eligibility to own an Antigua and Barbuda ship which may be a copy of a passport for CARICOM nationals, or a copy of the certificate of Incorporation for corporate entities;
  6. And that the owning Company is in good standing in the case of corporate entities over one year old.

In order to register a vessel in Antigua and Barbuda, the applicant must be meeting one of the following requirements:

  1. Be a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda or of a Member State of the Caribbean Community or the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States;
  2. Be a legal corporate body in Antigua and Barbuda;
  3. Be a corporation registered under the International Business Corporation Act;
  4. Be a corporate body or a partnership concern registered elsewhere which is registered under the Companies Act.
  5. Commercial yachts are yachts that engage in any kind of commercial activity for reward.  This includes chartering. Because such vessels are not Pleasure Yachts they fall within the scope of the international conventions governing shipping standards and they must comply with various safety standards. The ownership requirements are the same as for merchant vessels.

Why Valsen Fiduciaries

  1. Speedy and Efficient Service
  2. Expert advice on structuring options
  3. Dedicated ongoing compliance support
  4. Clientele Priority
  5. Offers the best value of any country/jurisdiction in the World.