The ship register of the BVI was established in 2006. Currently, all types of yachts and cargo ships without tonnage restrictions can be registered in it.
In accordance with the BVI Merchant Shipping Act, 2001, for the purposes of registering a ship, the following persons are recognized in the BVI ship registry as a “qualified owner”:
Prior to registration, the ship must undergo a surveyor inspection and obtain the appropriate certificate - Certificate of Survey / Tonnage Certificate - measuring (tonnage) certificate.
The assessment can be carried out by one of the following Classification Societies:
The ship can be inspected at any port in the world where there are surveyors from one of the above Classification Societies.
If the owner of the ship is not a resident of BVI, a representative must be appointed.
As a representative can act:
Required documents:
If the ship meets the requirements of the registry, a Carving and Marking Note (certificate of marking) is issued within two weeks. The name and port of registration is put on pleasure yachts up to 24 m long. For other ships - the name of the ship, port of registration, number and tonnage. The correctness of marking is checked by a certified surveyor (inspector), after which the document certified by the surveyor Carving and Marking Note must be returned to the ship register of the BVI.
An application (in the prescribed form) with details of the vessel and radio and telecommunications equipment on board is submitted to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC).
The following documents are attached to the application:
Services
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Cost (in USD)
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The cost of our services to support the registration of the yacht
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from 5 500
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Annual services of a representative on the territory of BVI
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from 1 200
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State registration fee (depends on the type of ship):
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• for yachts up to 24 m
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600
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• for yachts with a length of 24 meters and more
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750
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Annual state duty for maintenance in the register (depending on the type of ship):
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• for yachts up to 24 m
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100
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• for yachts with a length of 24 meters and more
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USD 300
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*The fees are valid as of July 2025.