Ship registration

About registration

Ship registration provides nationality; a registered ship that travels overseas has the protection of the New Zealand Government. The registration papers provide proof of identity.

Additional benefits depend on the type of registration that a ship has. The type of registration required for a vessel depends on several factors, including:

• if the ship will be used commercially or for pleasure
• the length of the ship
• if the ship is New Zealand or foreign owned
• if the ship will go overseas

To determine whether you need to register your ship and, if so, the type of registration you need to apply for, use our flow chart.

Further information can be found in our ship registration guide.

How to register your vessel

There are two types of ship registration and for some ships it is compulsory* to be registered:

All transactions regarding ship registration involve making changes to the New Zealand Register of Ships. For example:

• changing your registered address/vessel ownership
• closing a registration
• appointing a representative person
• getting a replacement Certificate of Registration

New Zealand Register of Ships

The New Zealand Register of Ships is a list of all vessels registered in New Zealand under the Ship Registration Act 1992.

The register, held in Maritime New Zealand’s Wellington office, is available for inspection by the public. The Registrar of Ships is responsible for maintaining the register.

The register has two parts (Part A and Part B) and includes details of those ships which must be registered under the Ship Registration Act 1992 and those ships whose owners have voluntarily chosen to register them.