Ship Registration

Netherlands Changes Ship Registration Law

Recent changes to Dutch law safeguarding the right of free establishment in Europe mean that ship registration regulations in the Netherlands have been relaxed. The recent change brings Dutch law in line with a 2004 European Court of Justice decision which ruled that Dutch national law, although apparently in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea which requires a “genuine link between the State and the ship,” contravened European law by being too restrictive. In the past companies could only register their vessels in the Netherlands if: At least two-thirds of the ship was owned by a European Community (EC) or European Economic Area (EEA) national company, and the business of the vessel was conducted by EC or EEA nationals through a Netherlands-based office. These requirements have been removed. However it is still the case that the company that registers the vessel must itself be registered in Europe. In addition there must also be a Netherlands-based representative who has full authority to act for the ship.

Government Aims to Develop, Upgrade, Cyprus Shipping

The government continuously improves incentives for shipowners to register their ships under the Cyprus flag. Communication & Works Minister Flourentzou pointed out Cyprus ranks among the largest international ship registries in the world, but unlike other open registries, he added, Cyprus is also a major base for international shipping operations and for other activities related to shipping. The Minister noted that “a maritime cluster has been developed

Marshall Island Touts Cost Free Registration

International Registries (IRI) is extending its cost-free registration for all vessels registering under the Marshall Islands flag until December 31, 2000. This special deal includes registration, documentation and mortgage recordation fees - as well as marine inspection, investigation and international participation fees. Vessels registered under the Marshall Islands flag included in this special offer will be lifted from the annual tonnage tax until January 1, 2001

DOT HazMat Registration Underway

The Hazardous Materials Registration Program administered by the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Special Programs (RSPA) began its 1999-2000 registration year on July 1, 1999. Under the program, transporters and offerors of hazardous materials regulated under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations must register annually with DOT and pay a fee. RSPA regulations apply to barge operators engaged in the carriage of packaged hazardous materials; however

Maritime and Coastguard Agency Travels to Ft. Lauderdale

The U.K. government’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency visited Fort Lauderdale during the first week of April, undertaking the oral examinations required in order to attain a U.K. MCA Certificate of Competence.  The MCA’s Chief Examiner and Head of Seafarer Services and Ship Registration, Captain Roger Towner, conducted the examinations himself.  Oral exams are required by the MCA in addition to completion of all of the MCA training courses

Brad L. Berman Joins Holland and Knight as Partner

New York City – April 29, 2011 – Holland & Knight is pleased to announce that Brad L. Berman has joined the firm as Partner in the firm's New York City office.   Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Berman served as Executive Director of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the world's second largest ship registry and 60+ year old corporate registry, where he oversaw all aspects of the Liberian corporate and shipping program

Case re Vessel Hull Design Registration

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled that a vessel hull design that merely corrects a mistake in an earlier design is not substantial. In the instant case, plaintiff boat company designed and produced a new boat. The vessel hull design was submitted to the U.S. Copyright Office for registration, but the submittal was made too late after production had started to qualify. The boat was redesigned to correct minor mistakes in the original design

Sname Preview: 2004 SNAME Set for Washington, D.C.

One of the maritime industry's premiere annual events, the 2004 SNAME Maritime Technology Conference & Exposition, is scheduled to grace scenic Washington, D.C., scheduled from September 29 to October 1, 2004. Washington, D.C., the center of U.S. political power, is an appropriate host for the event, as the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) annual meeting and exhibition are well-renowned for bringing together an enviable gathering of the maritime industry's elite

USCG/ASME to Conduct Workshop on Marine Tech

The U.S. Coast Guard and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) are sponsoring a two-day public workshop on marine technology and standards to be held on June 3 and 4, 2008, in .  The USCG/ASME Workshop on Marine Technology and Standards scheduled for June 3 and 4, 2008 in Arlington VA, provides an opportunity for classification societies, industry groups, standards development organizations, governments

Seminar on Fire Testing for SOLAS and Navy Vessels

A Seminar on Fire Testing for SOLAS and Navy Vessels: New Test Procedures and Material Approval Process will be held Wednesday, December 7, 2011. Sponsored by ASTM Committee F25 on Ships and Marine Technology, the workshop will be held at the Marriott Waterside Tampa in Tampa, Florida, in conjunction with the December standards development meetings of the committee.   Objective   ASTM F25 Committee presents a one day Seminar "Fire Testing for SOLAS and Navy Vessels: New