Barbados Ship Registration

PT. Belvamas Maritim Indontama provides ship registry and related administration services for seagoing merchant ships, yachts and fishing craft on behalf of the Barbados Government with the appointment of Mr. Ayub Junus, MSc, CMILT, MIEx, CNI as the Registrar for Barbados Maritime Ship's Registry exclusively for Indonesia as from 30th September 2003.

The Barbados Ships' Registry is by no means new - registration facilities having been available on the Island for well over 100 years, formerly under the United Kingdom Merchant Shipping Acts and latterly under domestic legislation.

In 1993 the Barbados Government decided to formulate new shipping legislation that would allow foreign owners and nationals to own and man Barbados registered ships, which has culminated in the Shipping Act, 1994 and Shipping (Oil Pollution) Act 1994.

Having adopted this basic legislation aimed at encouraging the use of Barbados for registration and crewing and with an established legal system, coupled with political stability and expertise in banking, commerce, law and accounting, our company believe that Barbados is in an excellent position to provide an 'Open Registry' service along with a wide range of corporate services to the international shipping community.

Foreign owned ships are eligible to be registered in Barbados if they are less than 20 years old at the time of first registry and are engaged in foreign going trade i.e. are engaged in trade that is not exclusively to Barbados from within the 'Home Trade' limits, as defined. For ships older than 20 years, registration may be given by the Principal Registrar if he is satisfied that the ship is well kept and meets fully the requirements of the conventions to which Barbados is party.

For the purposes of the Shipping Act a ship is considered 'foreign-owned' unless her ownership is entirely in the hands of citizens of Barbados or companies incorporated in Barbados whose beneficial ownership is held entirely by Barbados citizens. A foreign owner, irrespective of nationality or place of incorporation, can hold direct title to a Barbados flag ship, but some foreign owners may find it useful to incorporate a Barbados company for this purpose.  To get more details, please visit the website of Barbados Maritime Ship's Registry, at www.barbadosmaritime.com.