Saint Lucia Vessel Registration and Ship Registration

Register Your Vessel Under the Saint Lucia Flag

Saint Lucia ship registration is handled by the Saint Lucia Ship Registry through a transparent and professional process, and every vessel is registered under the Flag of Saint Lucia. Whether your vessel is newly acquired, transferred from another registry, or provisionally registered, we will guide you through each step of the process.

The Saint Lucia Ship Registry is now open for applications for registration of eligible vessels involved in commercial, offshore and private pursuits. Our registration framework ensures you are registered in accordance with national regulations and in line with international best practice on maritime safety, security and environmental protection.

Our registry officers, in partnership with owners and authorised representatives, will be happy to guide you through the registration process and assist you throughout the life of your vessel.

Eligible Vessels

Applications are accepted for a wide range of vessel types, including:

Commercial Cargo Ships

Container Ships

Bulk Carrier

Oil Tanker

LNG Carrier

Passenger Ship

Offshore Support Vessel

Tugboat

Barge

Fishing Vessel

Research Vessel

Special Purpose Ship

Floating Unit

Private Yacht

Commercial Yacht

Others

Types of registration

Saint Lucia vessel registration is available on a provisional, permanent or bareboat basis. Provisional registration lets a vessel trade under the Saint Lucia flag for a limited period while the remaining documents are completed. Permanent registration follows once all requirements are met. Bareboat registration covers a vessel that is chartered in and registered under the Saint Lucia flag for the period of the charter. The Registry also records transfers of registry, changes of ownership and ship mortgages.

Provisional Registration

Where a vessel is registered provisionally, pending the completion of the full registration procedure.

Permanent Registration

Where a vessel is registered under the Flag of Saint Lucia.

Transfer of Registry

Transfer of a vessel from another flag administration to the Saint Lucia Ship Registry.

Change of Ownership

Registration of a change of ownership of a vessel registered under the Saint Lucia Flag.

Bareboat Registration

Registration of a vessel under an approved Bareboat Charter.

Ship Mortgage Registration

Registration, amendments, transfer and discharge of ship mortgages.

Saint Lucia ship registration process

Submit an Enquiry

Submit a vessel registration enquiry online providing general vessel details and applicant details.

Initial Review

A Registry Officer will process your enquiry and will contact you to clarify registration requirements.

Document Submission

Your vessel registration enquiry will be referred to the Department with the documents/forms checklist and fees for you to complete.

Technical & Legal Compliance Checks

The Department Registry will review the documentation and ensure it is compliant with the requirements.

Approval & Registration

If the vessel meets all the standards, we will approve the vessel for registration, and the vessel registration certificate will be issued.

Registry Support

The Registry will continue to support statutory certification, ownership updates and mortgage registration, as well as our other flag State services.

Why Register with Saint Lucia?

Government Administration

The official registration of ships is performed by the Government of Saint Lucia.

Effective Service

Our registration processes can ensure prompt service and support.

Assistance from our Qualified Registry Officers

You can seek help from our Qualified Registry Officers.

Open Process

Clear guidelines, a published process, and professional communication every step of the way.

Worldwide Delivery

The service is open to any ship owner, operator, or approved ships' agent around the world.

Register Responsibly

Our registration is managed in accordance with existing international standards to ensure it is reliable and meets industry guidelines.

Documents required

The Registry sends a document checklist for your vessel after the initial review of your enquiry. The exact list depends on the vessel type and the kind of registration requested. Owners are typically asked for:

A completed application for registration
Proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale or builder’s certificate
Company documents for a corporate owner, or identification for an individual owner
A deletion certificate or consent to transfer from the previous registry, where the vessel is changing flag
A tonnage certificate and the vessel’s current class and statutory certificates
Details of any registered mortgages
For bareboat registration, a copy of the charter party and the consent of the underlying registry

Please wait for the checklist before sending documents. The checklist you receive is the one that applies to your vessel.

Fees and timelines

Registration fees depend on the type of registration, the vessel type and its tonnage. The Registry confirms the fees that apply when it issues the document checklist, so no payment is needed at the enquiry stage.

Processing time depends on how complete the information and documents are when they are submitted. Applications with a full set of documents move to the technical and legal checks sooner. For a fee estimate or an indication of timing for your vessel, submit a vessel registration enquiry or contact the Registry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for vessel registration?

Application can be filed by vessel owners, shipping companies or an authorised representative acting on behalf of the owner.

Can I transfer my vessel from another flag?

Yes. Applications for the transfer of eligible vessels may be filed from other flag administrations.

How long does the registration process take?

The processing time is dependent on the amount of information supplied and the number of documents supplied. The Registry Officer can advise you on your specific enquiry.

Are supporting documents required with the initial enquiry?

No. The initial enquiry requires only the fundamental vessel and applicant data. You will be advised of additional documents upon receipt of the Registry’s advice.

Vessel Registration Enquiry

Want to register your vessel with the Flag of Saint Lucia?

Fill out our online enquiry form and one of our Registry Officers will get back to you with the registration requirements, documentation checklist, fees involved and assistance with the process.

Need Assistance?

Contact our team for further information.