Yes. Under the 2025 amendments, the Maritime Administrator may impose administrative fines, suspend/revoke certificates, blacklist vessels, and deregister ships involved in fraud, IUU fishing, or serious safety violations.

 Yes. Both bareboat-in and bareboat-out registrations are allowed, subject to approval and compliance with the Maritime Act.

Yes, but fishing vessels must also obtain valid fishing authorizations in line with Vanuatu’s Fisheries Act and international RFMO rules (SPRFMO, IATTC, WCPFC).

 The Maritime Administrator is authorized under the Maritime Act to issue, renew, suspend, or revoke Certificates of Competency (CoC), Certificates of Proficiency (CoP), and endorsements in compliance with the STCW Convention.

 Yes. Vanuatu recognizes seafarers from multiple nationalities, provided they meet STCW requirements. Endorsements of foreign CoCs are also available.

 The Maritime Administrator accredits maritime training institutions under Section 102A of the amended Maritime Act (2025). Only Administrator-approved schools and academies may provide training for Vanuatu certification.

 Yes. Under Section 102A, the Administrator may directly establish and operate maritime training institutions in Vanuatu.

 Certificates can be verified through the official VISR online verification system or by contacting the Administrator at info@register-vu.com.

 Vanuatu has ratified key IMO and ILO conventions, including SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, MLC 2006, ISM, ISPS, COLREG, LL 1966/1988, and more.

Yes. The Maritime Administrator maintains a Ship Mortgage Register, allowing mortgages to be recorded, amended, and discharged with full legal recognition under international law.

 The Maritime Administrator must be notified immediately. VISR will review the detention, assist with corrective actions, and, if warranted, impose penalties on non-compliant owners/operators.

 Yes. Registration may be revoked for non-compliance, non-payment of fees, fraudulent information, or serious breaches of international obligations.

 The VISR issues electronic certificates, maintains a digital ship & seafarer registry, provides online mortgage filings, and offers 24/7 verification services.

 In strict accordance with the Concession Agreement (2024) and PFEM Act, all revenues are paid directly to the Ministry of Finance Consolidated Revenue Account. No side-payments are permitted.

 Applications can be submitted online via www.register-vu.com, or through accredited agents and Deputy Commissioners worldwide.

 Fees vary based on vessel type, tonnage, and service requested. A full Fee Schedule is published on the VISR website.

 Yes, the Maritime Administrator has discretion to waive first-year registration fees for strategic clients (per 2025 amendments).

• General inquiries: info@register-vu.com

• Seafarer certification: seafarers@register-vu.com

• Mortgages/ownership: registry@register-vu.com

• Compliance/safety: compliance@register-vu.com

The registry is operated by the Office of the Maritime Administrator (VLAS) under a Concession Agreement with the Government. The Administrator has full statutory powers to regulate, license, certify, and oversee vessels and seafarers on behalf of the Republic.

It is defined as a notation in the records of the Registry.  It can also be called a newly built vessel.  The notation must describe an intent by the prospective owner to register the vessel in Vanuatu once it has been built and the owner takes possession.

A new build registration is the procedure that takes place prior to completion of the ship or yacht.  Once it is finished and the owner has the title in his or her hand, the vessel may be formally  registered in Vanuatu. 

At the point of registration, a sea vessel may not be more than 20 years old.  If a vessel is more than 20 years old, it is possible that the Deputy Commissioner will grant it a waiver for registration under some conditions.  The conditions are that the vessel be in superb physical shape, plus it must meet the requirements issued by its classification society.

If a sea vessel is at or over 15 years old, its application has to be submitted with a status report of the vessel's statutory survey declaring that it is certified.  Additionally, this vessel must have a copy of its most recent intermediate or special survey report.

A bareboat charter is a type of registration that temporarily allows a sea vessel to fly Vanuatu's flag even though the boat is actually registered in the owner's home country.  The bareboat charter registration is typically only good for a specific period of time in which the owner may fly the flag of Vanuatu. 

Very easy because all applications and pertinent documents can be submitted online.  Additionally, the yacht owner may verify the authenticity of all documents and track the progress of his or her application online.  With VLAS you will deal with experts whose specialty is yacht registration.  Our representative will guide the applicant, as well as any advisors, through the step-by-step process of the registration application in quick and efficient time.  The priority is to provide all parties involved with a vessel owner's application with a smooth and painless process. 

You would go to the Vanuatu Logistics & Administrative Services Limited.  We have 26 offices around the world in commercial and major maritime cities.  VLAS can provide same-day service to all in the yacht and ship communities, regardless of where in the world they are located and the respective time zone.

It would be in Port Vila on the main island.  This is the capital city and major business hub of Vanuatu.  You will be made proud to call Port Vila your home port. 

The VISR is the official open international ship registry of the Republic of Vanuatu, administered by the Maritime Administrator under the Maritime Act [CAP 131] (as amended in 2025). It allows vessels owned by domestic and foreign individuals or entities to register under the Vanuatu flag.

There are very few exclusions when it comes to registering in Vanuatu.  Many types of vessels are allowed including those utilized in trade with foreign countries, commercial yachts or ships, private yachts or ships, or for fishing expeditions.  They may also be any tonnage with the exception of yachts which can weigh 50 tons or above. 

• Head Office: New York, USA (39 Broadway, Suite 2020, NY 10006)

• Principal Office: Port Vila, Republic of Vanuatu

• Worldwide Special Agents: Located in major shipping hubs for client convenience.

Registration is governed by the Maritime Act [CAP 131], the Maritime Regulations, and international conventions ratified by Vanuatu (e.g., SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, MLC).

• Competitive fee structure;

• Fast, efficient registration (provisional certificates in 24 hours);

• Recognition under IMO White List (STCW, MLC);

• Mortgage-friendly framework;

• Modernized digital certification and compliance tracking (2025 amendments);

• Strong flag-State support with global presence.

Cargo ships, tankers, passenger ships, fishing vessels, yachts (commercial and private), offshore support vessels, and more. Specialized categories (e.g., offshore platforms) may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 Yes. Foreign individuals and companies are permitted to own Vanuatu-registered vessels through the open registry system.

Provisional registration can be completed in 24 hours once required documents are provided. Permanent registration follows within 90 days.

• Application form;

• Proof of ownership (bill of sale, builder’s certificate);

• Deletion certificate (if previously registered elsewhere);

• Copy of tonnage certificate (if available);

• ISM/ISPS documentation (if applicable);

• Fee payment confirmation.

 Provisional certificates are valid for 90 days (extendable once). Permanent registration must be completed within this period.