Shipping Registry

This is achieved through:

• Implementing the Maritime policies of the Government covering shipping operations, safety of life at sea, security, and the prevention of, and response to, pollution from ships;
• Implementing and enforcing the regulations applicable to all Virgin Islands vessels on both domestic and international routes, and for all vessels navigating in the territorial waters of the Virgin Islands;
• Developing and adopting appropriate standards of training, evaluation and certification for Virgin Islands seafarers and onshore staff in accordance with the respective needs of international and domestic shipping and the BVI maritime industry; and
• Providing timely, accurate and appropriate information and advice to the Government, public and private sector organisations, and the general public.

The BVI is committed at all levels to the development of our maritime industry in full compliance with international standards. Today, about 4000 internationally owned ships are registered by the VISR under the BVI Merchant Shipping Act 2001 and those numbers continue to rise. A ship is registered to establish nationality; to secure ownership title, and to enable its use as security to obtain a ship’s mortgage, which in turn, is registered.

The BVI has the distinct advantage of being a Category 1 Red Ensign jurisdiction which classifies the BVI as 1 of 10 centres worldwide where meta-yachts and super yachts of up to 3000 gross tonnage, and cargo ships of unlimited tonnage can be registered.

• To develop and operate an efficient, reputable, and viable registry of ships and seafarers
• To collaborate with public and private sector interests and institutions in the BVI, the Caribbean region and overseas
• To strive to lessen the burden of obsolete regulations and the cost of compliance on BVI ship owners
• To set an example of clear, consistent, and open leadership of an effective team
• To fully comply with the spirit and letter of international conventions, national regulations, and the procedures of the Shipping Registry Quality Management System

Registering a Pleasure or Commercial Yacht in the BVI is an often simple and swift experience. You simply need to complete submit the application forms, evidence of title ownership, and have the vessel surveyed by the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry. You will also be required to attain the services of a BVI Local Representative unless you are based in the BVI. This representative will be the Registry’s main point of contact for matter relating to the vessel’s registration. Once the submitted documentation is accepted by the Registry, the Representative has filed an undertaking to act in the capacity and the applicable fees are paid the applicant will receive a digital Carving and Marking (C&M) note to be completed. After the C&M Note is completed and submitted, the Registry will issue the final Certificate of British Registry.