Registering in the bareboat register of the Netherlands (bareboat-in)
If you, as a shipping company in the Netherlands, take a seagoing vessel that is registered in a cadastre outside of the Netherlands under a bareboat charter, you can register this seagoing vessel in the rompbevrachtingsregister (bareboat register) of the Netherlands. With a bareboat-in-zeebrief (bareboat-in Certificate of Registry), the vessel sails under the Dutch flag for the period specified on the certificate.
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Conditions for admission to the bareboat register of the Netherlands
To be admitted to the bareboat register of the Netherlands, you must meet the following conditions:
- The vessel is registered in a cadastre outside of the Netherlands.
- You must have proof of the bareboat agreement (BIMCO or other charter agreement) between the charterer and vessel owner.
- The vessel must not fly the flag of the state where it is registered as as long as it is registered in the bareboat register of the Netherlands.
Before starting the registration process, you must first report the ship as a merchant vessel to be flagged in using the online form for Registration of a newly constructed vessel or a vessel that is flagging in. This step is necessary to obtain a unique identification number, referred to as an NSI-nummer (Netherlands Shipping Inspectorate number).
How to register a seagoing vessel in the bareboat register of the Netherlands
To register a seagoing vessel registered in a cadastre outside of the Netherlands in the bareboat register of the Netherlands, use the Application bareboat charter registration and certificate of registration merchant shipping online form.
When you have provided all necessary information and attachments, you will receive a zeebrief (Certificate of Registry) from the ILT. This usually takes 2 weeks and no longer than the statutory period of 8 weeks.
Required attachments for bareboat registration
To register the merchant ship in the Dutch bareboat register, you must in all cases provide the following attachments:
- Copy of the (provisional) international meetbrief (Tonnage Certificate, in Dutch).
- Extract from the Kamer van Koophandel, KVK (Chamber of Commerce): no more than 3 months old.
- Bareboat agreement (BIMCO or other charter agreement).
- Authentic copy of the registration of the seagoing vessel abroad: no more than 3 months old.
- Statement that the legislation of the state where the vessel is registered does not prevent it from flying the Dutch flag.
- Copy of the class certificate of the engine, including at least the engine speed, engine power and engine number.
Additionally, you must provide copies of the necessary documentation based on your legal status:
Costs for registering in the bareboat register
The bareboat charterer must pay the following fees:
- For registration in the bareboat register: €1,905.
- For issuing a Certificate of Registry: €215.
- For making amendments to the registration in the bareboat register: €205.
- For the issuance of a certified extract from the bareboat register: €169.
- For making changes to the date or duration of the bareboat charter agreement: €584.
Refer to the Regeling tarieven transportsectoren (Transportation Sectors Tariffs Scheme, in Dutch) for further details.
Validity of the Certificate of Registry
The Certificate of Registry is valid for the duration of the charter agreement, up to a maximum of 4 years. After that, you must apply for a new Certificate of Registry using the Application bareboat charter registration and certificate of registration merchant shipping online form. As a bareboat charterer, you can also request the removal of your registration from the bareboat register.