Registration Procedure
There are two important aspects to take into account during a registration process.
- Not all documents are issued by one and the same department
- Depending on the particulars of each case; the enumerated following steps may vary in contents and sequence
Step by step
1. Issuance (Provisional) International Tonnage Certificates by MAC
Curaçao is party to the London Convention of 1969 on ship measurement. In case the vessel has been measured in line with before mentioned convention, the Maritime Authority of Curaçao (MAC) may issue a Final Tonnage Certificate. If not, the Maritime Authority issues a Preliminary Tonnage Certificate based on the information of the builder or of the previous tonnage certificates.
2. Issuance Provisional Certificate of Registry by MAC and Temporary Radio Station License by the Bureau Telecommunications and Post. (BT&P)
The Temporary Radio Station License includes the MMSI number code for radio traffic and grants permission for the use of radio communications. The Provisional Certificate of Registry is valid for 3 months and the Temporary Radio Station License is valid for three months.
3. Once the Tonnage Certificate, the Declaration of Ownership (prepared by the owner of the vessel), the Bill of Sale and the “Ministeriële Beschikking” are presented to the Registrar of Vessels (Kadaster), the vessel is ready to be registered in Curaçao. At this time any mortgages on the vessel may also be registered with the Kadaster.
4. Carving of the vessels, registration number/official number
The official number is carved in the vessel at predefined coordinates and witnessed either by MAC or by a class society. After that a Carving Certificate will be issued.
5. Upon receipt of the Carving Certificate, the Registrar of Vessels will issue an Extract of the registration of the vessel.
6. MAC issues the Final Measurement Certificate
7. Issuance of the Certificate of Registry by MAC
To obtain the Certificate of Registry, the Tonnage Certificate, the Provisional Certificate of Registry and the Carving Certificate must be presented. The Certificate of Registry is valid for four years.
8. The Bureau Telecommunications and Post issues the Final Radio Station License.
To obtain the Final Radio Station License (for the MMSI-nr.) the Final Tonnage Certificate, the extract of registration with the Kadaster and the Certificate of Registry must be presented at The Bureau Telecommunications and Post. The Radio Station License is valid for five years.
A vessel already registered in another country must be registered out of that country within 30 days in order to register in Curacao Registrar.