Sailing has played and continues to play an integral part in the history, life and culture of Antigua and Barbuda. For the past 40 years Antigua has hosted its annual Sailing Week, a major yacht racing event. Its cruise ship pier is located in the heart of the city of St Johns in the historic Redcliffe Street area while cargo vessels dock at the nearby Deep Water Harbour pier.
Antigua and Barbuda has developed a world class Shipping Registry backed by sound modern legislation – The Antigua and Barbuda Merchant Shipping Act. The Antigua and Barbuda Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping (ADOMS) is responsible for administering the Act and operates from its head office in St Johns, Antigua as well as offices in Oldenburg and Bremerhaven, Germany. In terms of merchant shipping the Registry is ranked No. 2 in the Caribbean, and worldwide it is ranked in the top 20 with respect to gross tonnage and in the top 10 with respect to the number of ships registered.
The Register of Ships is divided into three parts:
- Part A – an international ships register
- Part B – register for yachts
- Part C – local register
In each of these Parts, the registration can be permanent, bareboat charter, provisional or vessel under construction. A distinction is also made between privately operated yachts and commercially operated yachts.
For international clients, the ownership requirements for registration are satisfied if the vessel is owned by:
- a company incorporated under the International Business Corporations Act, Cap. 222 (IBC) (see Features of IBC) or
- a foreign company or partnership registered as an external company under the Companies Act, 1995 (such companies are also tax exempt if they maintain the registration of their vessels in Antigua and Barbuda)
CMT has extensive experience in this area and is a leading provider of corporate management services to clients engaged in international shipping whether commercial or pleasure. We can incorporate your IBC or register your foreign entity as an external company.
Contact CMT today for further details.
