The Isle of Man Ship Registry maintains and enforces high standards based on United Kingdom legislation.

Isle of Man registered ships fly the British Red Ensign and as such are entitled to all British support including consular services throughout the world.

The Isle of Man is not designated as a "Flag of Convenience", and has a quality, traditional and long-standing Register which maintains and enforces high standards based on United Kingdom Legislation, whilst offering a practical approach to the application of Maritime Rules and Regulations.

The Isle of Man is a full Maritime Convention country and, in addition to the principle International Maritime Organisation Conventions, relevant Conventions of the International Labour Organisation affecting seafarers have also been extended to the Isle of Man.

The Ship Registry has ISO 9001 Accreditation.

The policy of the Isle of Man Government is to provide positive encouragement to and promotion of the continuing growth of shipping and ship management companies based on the Island.

The Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for the implementation of this policy and its operation is conducted by its Ship Registry Division.

The Ship Registry has surveyors, who are all well experienced, with professional backgrounds as Master Mariners, Marine Engineers and Naval Architects, who travel worldwide to ensure that standards on Manx ships are maintained.

The Isle of Man as a flag of choice offers a wide range of benefits to ship owners, managers and charterers. The Island has a long established maritime industry and since the first ship registered in 1786 has developed an infrastructure to cater for the Shipping Industry.

Benefits available in the Isle of Man include:

• A professional Ship Registry providing a high quality of service.
• A favourable taxation regime designed to encourage business.
• A range of professional services designed to support shipping.
• The right to fly the "Red Ensign" and access the support of British consular services world-wide.
• Flexibility in the requirements for registered owners including acceptance of Limited Partnerships.
• The availability of Demise registry both "IN" and "OUT".
• Low costs and no annual tonnage dues.
• Full political support for shipping.
• Non-FOC status

The present-day Ship Registry was established in 1984. Since then the Isle of Man register has developed to be a independent quality international British register dedicated to the maintenance of high standards, both in its service to customers and in the operation of Manx ships. The Ship Registry is progressive in outlook recognising the financial imperatives facing owners today and the need for real support and service.

The Ship Registry is staffed by a professional team of experienced surveyors with expertise in all areas and in all ship types. The Ship Registry is dedicated to the provision of a high quality service and is able to provide:

• Twenty-four hour availability of senior staff by phone to answer queries and deal with problems whether from managers or ship's staff.
• Fast response to all queries.
• Immediate friendly advice on complying with all aspects of SOLAS, MARPOL, COLREGS, ISPS, ILO etc.
• A dedicated surveyor assigned to each project.
• Support for ships treated unfairly by Port State Control.
• Regular advice bulletins on key issues to help owners respond to them.
• Reasonable costs.

More Information

Ship Registry Website (www.iomshipregistry.com)