RWISR INTERNATIONAL SHIP REGISTRY
MARINE CIRCULAR
Circular No: MC-01-2025
Status: Active
Subject: Registration Procedures
Title: General Outline of the Procedural Framework for Provisional and Permanent Registration under RWISR
Date: 17 / June / 2025
Applicable to: Shipowners, Operators, Managers, Authorized Representatives
1. PURPOSE
This Marine Circular sets out the general procedural framework for the provisional and permanent registration of vessels under the RWISR.
Its purpose is to provide shipowners, operators, managers, and authorized representatives with clear guidance on the registration process, the principal documentary requirements, and the general conditions to be satisfied for a vessel to be accepted and maintained under the RWISR flag.
2. APPLICATION
This Circular applies to all vessels applying for registration, transfer of flag, or continued registration under RWISR.
It covers:
- Provisional registration
- Permanent registration
- Submission of registration documents
- Supporting statutory and class documentation
- Continuous compliance with registry requirements
3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Registration under RWISR shall be subject to review and acceptance by the Registry.
Acceptance of an application shall depend on, among other things:
- The vessel’s age, type, and condition
- The vessel’s ownership and management structure
- The vessel’s statutory and classification status
- The vessel’s compliance history, where applicable
- The completeness and acceptability of submitted documentation
RWISR reserves the right to request additional documents or information before granting provisional or permanent registration.
4. PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION
Provisional registration may be granted to a vessel that has satisfied the Registry that the essential conditions for registration have been met and that the required initial documentation has been submitted in an acceptable form.
Provisional registration is generally intended to allow the vessel to operate temporarily under the RWISR flag pending submission and review of the full set of original or finalized documents required for permanent registration.
Documents generally required for provisional registration may include, as applicable:
- Application for registration
- Evidence of ownership
- Copy of bill of sale or builder’s certificate
- Deletion certificate or evidence of deletion process from previous registry, where applicable
- Valid class certificate(s)
- Valid statutory certificates
- Tonnage certificate
- International Safety Management (ISM) and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) related documents, as applicable
- Details of the registered owner, manager, and authorized representative
- Any additional documents required by RWISR
Provisional registration shall be issued for a limited period determined by the Registry and may be subject to conditions.
5. PERMANENT REGISTRATION
Permanent registration may be granted once the Registry has received, reviewed, and accepted all documents required for completion of the registration process.
Permanent registration is subject to confirmation that:
- The vessel is duly deleted or otherwise released from the previous registry, where applicable
- Ownership documents are in order
- Class is valid and maintained with an acceptable classification society
- Statutory certification is valid and in order
- All registry requirements and applicable fees have been satisfied
- Any outstanding condition imposed at provisional stage has been fulfilled
The Registry may refuse or defer permanent registration where required documents remain outstanding or where the vessel’s status is not considered satisfactory.
6. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS
The exact documentary requirements may vary depending on the type, age, status, and history of the vessel.
RWISR may require submission of originals, certified copies, electronic copies, or notarized/legalized documents, as deemed appropriate by the Registry.
Where documents are not in English, RWISR may require a certified English translation.
7. CLASS AND STATUTORY STATUS
A vessel applying for registration under RWISR shall maintain valid class with a classification society acceptable to the Registry.
The vessel shall also hold valid statutory certificates, as applicable, issued by or on behalf of the relevant authority and acceptable to RWISR.
RWISR may require confirmation of class status, statutory status, survey status, and the absence of overdue recommendations, conditions of class, or serious deficiencies before registration is approved.
8. ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
RWISR may, at its discretion, impose additional conditions prior to registration or continued registration, including but not limited to:
- Additional surveys or inspections
- Submission of updated certificates
- Clarification of ownership or management arrangements
- Compliance review based on PSC, flag, or class history
- Technical review for older vessels or special vessel types
9. VALIDITY AND CONTINUATION
Registration under RWISR shall remain subject to continued compliance with registry requirements, including:
- Maintenance of valid statutory certification
- Maintenance of valid class
- Timely renewal of registry documents
- Prompt notification of any change in ownership, management, class, name, tonnage, or technical particulars
- Compliance with applicable international conventions and registry instructions
Failure to maintain these conditions may result in suspension, restriction, or cancellation of registration.
10. RIGHT OF REVIEW
RWISR reserves the right to review, suspend, reject, or cancel any registration application or registration status where submitted information is incomplete, inaccurate, misleading, or where the vessel is found not to meet the Registry’s requirements.
11. COMMUNICATION WITH THE REGISTRY
All applications and supporting documents shall be submitted in the form and manner required by RWISR.
The Registry may correspond directly with the shipowner, manager, authorized representative, recognized organization, or other relevant party for the purpose of clarification, document verification, or completion of the registration process.
12. ENTRY INTO FORCE
This Circular enters into force on:
17 / June / 2025
13. CONTACT
RWISR
Email: info@rwisr.com
Website: www.rwisr.com