Ship Registration
The Botswana Maritime Affairs is recognized as one of the most cost-effective international ship registries in the world. It forms part of a program designed to incentivize compliance by providing ship owners and operators with a direct link to Botswana Maritime Affairs, ensuring fast, efficient, and reliable services. Registering a vessel under Botswana Maritime Affairs is efficient and straightforward, with our team ready to assist clients throughout the entire process.
Our administration brings extensive expertise in registering all vessel types. We deliver exceptional technical support, competitive registration fees, and a transparent structure with no hidden costs or tonnage taxes. The first step involves submitting a request for acceptance to the Registry. Once accepted, a quotation is provided, and from there the process is smooth and tailored to meet each client’s specific needs.
It is important to note that vessels, corporations, and beneficial owners undergo a rigorous vetting process to ensure compliance. This safeguards against the registration of vessels, companies, or individuals engaged in illicit activities or sanctioned by any United Nations body or member state.
For more information, email us HERE.
How to Register a Ship with
the Botswana Maritime Affairs
Step 1
- Client is to complete Vessel Registration Request Form and provide details on the proposed vessel, intended owner, operator, classification society and trade area for review by BMA Registration Department.
- BMA will conduct an internal review and vet the vessel and companies for sanctions compliance and also identify possible deceptive shipping practices utilized for potential illicit activities. Measures taken will include:
- Researching a ship’s history to identify regular AIS manipulation
- Monitor for AIS Disablement
- Communicating with other flag state authorities on history of vessel
- Utilizing available resources for review of commercial shipping data, ship location, ship registry information and name change history.
- BMA will complete a Ship Risk Profile based on research found to determine if the vessel meets risk standards for acceptance.
- BMA provides client a response and upon acceptance invites the client to proceed to Step 2.
Step 2
- Client completes applicable application forms and submits them with supporting documents as outlined in registration requirements checklist. Typically this is for a standard flag change but depending on other types (Laid Up, Bareboat In/Out, or Single Purpose Voyage) an alternative checklist will apply.
- BMA reviews forms and supporting documents to verify all applicable requirements for provisional registration have been received.
- Prior to issuance of any vessel documentation BMA must complete an enhanced due diligence review of the owning and operating company. This involves receiving the corporate documents for the owning and operating company which identifies beneficial owners and shareholders including passport copies for these individuals.
- Once all provisional registration requirements from the checklist have been received and enhanced due diligence review of owner completed BMA issues provisional registration certificates to the vessel valid for a 6 month period. Vessels subject to the Flag State Inspection program are requested to complete their initial safety inspection during this period.
- BMA then welcomes the client to proceed to Step 3.
Step 3
- The vessel’s provisional registration period it designed to allow for a vessel owner time to complete the formalities necessary for permanent registration of their vessel. This includes applying for and receiving deletion and a closing Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) from the previous flag as well as obtaining all necessary insurance for commercial operation.
- Client submits to BMA all applicable registration requirements for permanent registration listed on their checklist form for review.
- BMA reviews documents and once all requirements are received proceeds to issue the vessel their permanent registration certificates which will be valid until the anniversary date of initial registration.
- Client is asked to proceed with Step 4 6 months in advance of the expiration of the vessel registration certificates.
Step 4
- Client reaches out to BMA Registration Department to initiate the vessel registration renewal process.
- BMA provides checklist of requirements necessary for registration renewal of their vessel.
- Client then submits necessary requirements to BMA for review and processing. Upon receipt of all renewal requirements BMA issues new permanent registration certificates valid for an additional year. Vessels subject to the Flag State Inspection program are asked to contact the Inspection Department to schedule their annual safety inspection within a window from three months prior to three months after their registration anniversary date.