Mandatory Requirements for Registration of Fishing Vessels
| CIRCULAR | Circular No. 024 (Amended) |
| SUBJECT | Mandatory Requirements for Registration of Fishing Vessels |
| FROM | Office of the Maritime Administrator, Vanuatu International Shipping Registry |
| TO | All applicants, owners, operators, charterers, managers, Special Agents and relevant Recognized Organizations |
| AMENDMENT DATE | 20 August 2026 |
| EFFECTIVE DATE | Upon publication |
| STATUS | Version 2.0 – Supersedes the prior version of Circular No. 024 |
Authority and legal status. This Circular is issued by the Maritime Administrator under the functions and powers conferred by the Maritime Act [CAP 131], as amended by the Maritime (Amendment) Act No. 21 of 2025, including section 10C where applicable, and any additional written authority lawfully applicable to the subject. It shall be read with applicable mandatory IMO instruments and controlled VISR policies. It does not convert a direct statutory power into a delegated power, transfer a function assigned by law to another State entity, or amend any valid appointment, concession or other governing instrument.
Related controlled policies: VISR-QMS-POL-GOV-001 – Governance, Statutory Authority, Responsibility and Strategic Performance Policy; VISR-QMS-POL-REG-003 – Regulatory Monitoring, Legislative Change and Administrative Decisions Policy; VISR-QMS-POL-REC-005 – Document and Records Control, Retention and IMSAS Evidence Management Policy; VISR-QMS-POL-CI-002 – IMSAS Compliance, Internal Audit, Corrective Action and Continual Improvement Policy.
1. Government and Fisheries approval
No fishing vessel may receive permanent registration under VISR without the written approval or no-objection required from the competent Vanuatu Fisheries Department and confirmation that the vessel is eligible for the applicable Vanuatu Record of Fishing Vessels and authorization framework.
2. Minimum application evidence
• Complete ownership and beneficial-ownership documents, previous names, flags, registrations and deletion evidence.
• Vessel particulars, class and statutory status, condition information, safety certificates and age or risk information.
• Fisheries history, licences, RFMO status, IUU declarations, VMS capability, catch and transshipment arrangements and prior infringements.
• Operator, charterer, manager, agent, insurer, P&I, financing and sanctions due diligence.
• Crew, manning and applicable STCW-F or other qualification arrangements.
• Undertakings to comply with Vanuatu law, RFMO measures, reporting requirements and continuing disclosure duties.
3. Risk assessment and conditional action
• VISR may refuse an application, require enhanced due diligence, inspection, class transfer review, additional security, operational conditions or a probationary period.
• Provisional registration, if granted, does not authorize fishing unless all Fisheries approvals and licences are separately in force.
• No owner or agent may advertise the vessel as permanently registered before the Registry issues the relevant certificate.
4. Continuing compliance
Registration remains conditional upon ongoing Fisheries good standing, VMS and reporting compliance, transparent ownership and timely notification of changes. False statements, IUU concerns or loss of authorization may result in suspension or deletion.
Compliance records and communications
All applications, approvals, notices, reports, evidence, decisions, acknowledgements and corrective-action records required by this Circular must be transmitted through an official VISR channel and retained in the controlled Registry file in accordance with the VISR records policy. Communications from unverified domains or persons without written authority must not be relied upon.
Official contact: admin@register-vu.com. Urgent safety, casualty, sanctions or fraud matters must also be copied to info@register-vu.com and reported without delay.
Enforcement, reasons and reconsideration
Non-compliance may result in enhanced inspection, corrective-action requirements, service restrictions, suspension, administrative penalties, withdrawal or revocation of documents, or deletion from the Registry, to the extent authorized by law and the applicable written authority. Except where immediate protective action is necessary for safety, security, sanctions compliance, documentary integrity or preservation of evidence, an affected person will be notified of the material grounds and given a reasonable opportunity to respond. A request for reconsideration must be submitted in writing to the Office of the Maritime Administrator with supporting evidence within ten business days of the written decision, unless a shorter period is stated because of an urgent risk.
Supersession and effective application
This amended Circular supersedes the prior version of Circular No. 024 from the effective date stated above. Existing obligations, liabilities, investigations, fees and corrective actions arising under the prior version remain enforceable to the extent lawfully incurred and are to be administered under the clearer procedures stated in this amended version. If this Circular conflicts with a later Act, regulation or controlled VISR policy, the higher or later instrument prevails and the Circular shall be updated through document control.
| Saade Makhlouf Maritime Administrator of the Republic of Vanuatu Vanuatu International Shipping Registry |
Issued in Port Vila and New York 20 August 2026 |
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