General
Entry into the register of ships, registration with the Curaçao Land Registry Office, is possible for sea vessels with a gross content of more than twenty cubic metres or a gross tonnage of more than 6. Registration entails that the ownership of your vessel is recorded in a public register. These registers contain various data about the registered vessels and of course the names of the owners. A registered vessel is accorded a number that is unique for each vessel.
Presently work is being done for the establishment of a register for the recording of pleasure boats.
Registration of your vessel with the Registry office affords the following advantages:
1. Legal security
Registration affords security as to the legal ownership of a vessel. You can use your registration to prove that you are the rightful owner of a vessel. When selling or buying a registered ship, you can verify the ownership status. In short, registration promotes the legal security in case of selling or buying a ship.
2. A mortgage for financing purposes
You cannot establish a mortgage on your ship unless you have registered the vessel with the Registry Office.
3. Ownership in case of a newly-constructed vessel
If you give an assignment to a ship yard (under NA-law) to build a vessel, you can also register that ship. In case the yard goes bankrupt during the construction period of your ship, the vessel will not be included in the bankrupt estate of the yard. You don’t run any risk since you are the owner of the ship.
Registration of ships
When
A sea vessel is entered into the public register in case it is owned by one or more natural persons or legal entities possessing the nationality of one of the member states, provided that the owner is permanently represented in the Netherlands Antilles by a person authorized to represent him in regard to all matters relating to the vessel, the crew and the cargo, and to act with third parties on his behalf.
The representative shall, with the consent of the owner, appoint a representative in case of temporary residence outside the Netherlands Antilles. Both the permanent representative and his deputy must have their permanent residence, respectively, their main office in the Netherlands Antilles.
Documents to be filed
1. Purchase contract/shipbuilding certificate in addition to the deed of purchase a copy of the deed of purchase made out on a form provided by the Registry Office (CSII-form) provided with a certification as a true copy must be handed in. Only original deeds/certificates will be accepted. Only deeds/certificates made out in Dutch or English will be accepted. Persons filing a certified translation of the deed/certificate in Dutch or English shall do so together with the original documents.
2. Certificate of ownership It is equally required with respect to the certificate of ownership to submit a copy made out on the form issued by the Registry Office (CSI form) and provided with a certification as a true copy.
3. Ministerial order In addition, a copy of the ministerial order made out on the form provided by the Registry Office (CSII form) and provided with a certification as a true copy, must be submitted.
4. Certificate of measurement of the vessel the certificate of measurement is issued by the Shipping Inspectorate. The person requesting the registration, must file the certificate of measurement with the Registry Office. The certificate of measurement must be original.
Registration
If the documents submitted, are in order, the ship is registered on the same day. After the documents have been processed, the branding certificate is drawn up for the registrant with a statement of the branding number.
Products that can be provided by the Registry Office
• Extracts NAG 125.-- + receipt stamp of NAG 10.—
• Certificate of deletion NAG 125.-- + receipt stamp of NAG 10.—
• Certificate of unencumbered
ownership NAG 125.-- + receipt stamp of NAG 10.—
• Certificate of branding Receipt stamp of NAG 10.—
• Certificate of No-Objection NAG 125.—
Exchange rate 1 US Dollar is appr. 1.80 NA Guilder
Dutch flag
Netherlands Antillean vessels are entitled to sail under the Dutch flag if they have a valid certificate of registry issued in accordance with the provisions of the Decree of 12 August 1993 (Off. Gaz. 1993 number 79).
Additional information
For additional information about the registering of ships, you can contact the Registrar of the Land Registry Office.
You can also obtain information from the following civil-law notary offices:
* Eshuis Civil-law Notaries
Rooi Catootjeweg 1
Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
Tel. (599-9) 736-5222
Fax. (599-9) 736-5223
e-mail eshuis@notaris-eshuis.an
* Van der Pluym & Vrede Civil-law Notaries
Neptunesweg 18
Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
Tel. (599-9) 737-4377
Fax. (599-9) 736-5318
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