Ship registration services in Madeira

Shipping

The International Shipping Register of Madeira ("MAR") is a credible alternative to other international registers and yet keeps the technical discipline and safety which characterises conventional shipping registers.

Under the MIBC Legislation vessels and yachts may be registered at MAR under the Portuguese flag provided their activities do not amount to transportation of goods between Portuguese ports. Transportation between Portuguese ports and foreign ports is allowed.

How to register

Certain documents and information regarding the ship shall be submitted to the Technical Commission of MAR for analysis.

The information and documentation to be submitted shall vary depending on whether it is a temporary or a permanent registration.

Classification

The shipping registry delegates some of its functions and recognise certificates issued by specified classification societies. Among the functions that may be delegated are the supervision and enforcement of rules concerning stability, bulk cargo, on board security as well as the issuing of international certificates concerning conventions and resolutions of the International Maritime Organisation and the OLO.

Portugal presently recognise eight classification societies who are certified to carry out their functions in the framework of MAR, they are:

Lloyd's Register of Shipping (LRS);

Bureau Veritas (BV);

Det Norske Veritas (DNV);

Registro Italiano Navale (RINA);

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS);

Rinave Portuguesa (RINAVE);

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NKK).

Crew

In assessing crew composition and minimum crew requirements the objective of the registry technical commission is to guarantee safety and the preservation of the quality of life aboard and at sea. The captain and 50% of the crew nationals of Europe or of PALOP countries. Crew composition requirements do not apply to yachts.

Any income received by the crew of ships registered in MAR is exempt from any form of taxation.

Crew members and their respective employers of ships registered in MAR may adopt a voluntary insurance or social security system. They are not obliged to pay social security taxes within the normal Portuguese system.

Mortgage Law

The mortgagor and the mortgagee by written agreement may choose the legal system of a particular country that shall govern the terms of the mortgage. Should such agreement not be reached, then the Portuguese law shall apply.