Registration of ships

Registration of a ship or houseboat means that it is listed in the Ships Register kept by the Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency (kadaster). The Ships Register is a public record which can be freely consulted by anyone. The ship or houseboat is registered by name, dimensions and other relevant characteristics, together with details of ownership and any mortgages.

 

Upon registration, each ship is assigned a unique number which is also applied to the ship itself as the ‘registration mark’. This usually takes the form of a metal plate which can also be accompanied by inconspicuous microdots.

 

By law, all inland waterway vessels having a water displacement greater than ten cubic metres must be registered. Those with a smaller displacement can be registered on a voluntary basis.

A seagoing vessel can be registered if built in the Netherlands or if the owner has a connection with the Netherlands.

 

The terms ‘vessel’ and ‘ship’ refer not only to vessels that are operated on a commercial basis, it also refers to recreational craft, houseboats and vessels still under construction. In principle, anything that is intended to float is defined as a ‘ship’ for the purposes of the register.

 

The initial registration of a ship in the Ships Register does not require the services of a notary.

The Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency will ask the owner to provide details such as the ship’s dimensions, water displacement, the manufacturer and type of engine, a general description of the ship and a specification of the ship’s characteristics.

The application must be accompanied by various documents, including the purchase agreement and proof of payment. In some cases, a nationality certificate will also be required. Given the complexity of the process, it is often more convenient to have a notary undertake the registration. He is familiar with the procedure and the various forms and documents required.

 

Once the ship has been registered, its legal ownership is a matter of public record. The registered owner will receive a certificate of ownership from the Cadastre, Land Registry and Mapping Agency.

There are situations in which this will be useful or essential: if the shipyard at which the ship is under construction goes into liquidation, for example. Once a ship under construction has been registered, it is possible to demonstrate ownership of the ship whereupon it cannot be counted among the shipyard’s assets.

If a stolen vessel is recovered, the registration mark can be used to trace its legal owner.

 

In certain circumstances it is also possible to have a vessel removed from the Ships Register. Once again, the notary knows the procedures and can provide assistance, for example with applying for a court order granting permission for the removal from the register.

 

Please contact us if you need further information about the registration or transfer of a ship. We shall be pleased to be of assistance.

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