Malaysia International Ship Registry

Malaysia International Ship Registry (MISR) is a body for the registering of international ships.  The MISR has been established to encourage individual and foreign shipping companies to register their ships in Malaysia without having to comply with the requirement of Malaysian majority shareholder.  The MISR would enable the placing of Malaysia on the international maritime map.

Under the ship registry, foreigners are allowed to hold 100 per cent equity in line with the government's effort to encourage foreign investments in the country.  With the registration of international ships, it would help increase the ships registry capacity and that to be able to handle the country's transportation trade.

Port of Registry

The Ports of registry for Malaysia International Ship is Labuan.

Shipowner Eligibility

Registrar General may register a ship as a Malaysian International Ship, if it is owned by a corporation that satisfies the following requirements:

1. Incorporated in Malaysia;
2. An office of the corporation is established in Malaysia; and
3. The majority of the shareholding, including voting shares, of the corporation are not held by Malaysian citizens.

Ship Manager Eligibility

The owner of a ship shall, before applying for a ship to be registered, appoint a ship manager whom shall be:

1. A Malaysian citizen having his permanent residence in Malaysia; or
2. A company incorporated in Malaysia and having its principal place of business in Malaysia.

Vessel Age and Survey Requirements

1. It is fitted with mechanical means of propulsion;
2. It is not less than 1,600 gross tonnage; and
3. The age of the ship is not more than 15 years if it is tanker or a bulk carrier or not more than 20 years if it is of type other than a tanker or a bulk carrier.

Surveys are conducted by Ships Surveyor working under the direction of the Surveyor-General who may also authorised classification societies on his behalf.

Authorised Classification Society

The following are recognized classification societies for MISR:

1. American Bureau of Shipping;
2. Bureau Veritas;
3. Det Norske Veritas;
4. Germanischer Lloyd;
5. Lloyd's Register of Shipping; or
6. Nippon Kaiji Kyokai.

Application for Vessel Name

An application in writing to Registrar of Ships to receive vessel's name approval:

1. Proposed name for a Malaysia vessel must be approved by the Registar General of Ships. Owners should apply for the vessel's name at least 14 weeks in advance before the date at which the vessel is supposed to be registered.
2. Three (3) names can be submitted for approval. An approved name is valid for a period of twelve months.
3. Form Application for Name of Ship (MISR/BKI/01/05) to be used.

1. Appointment / Cancellation of an Authorised Officer (MISR/BKI/03/05)
2. Application for Reserve Prefix/Suffix Name of Ship (MISR/BKI/02/05)

Provisional Registration Process

Vessels are generally first registered on a provisional basis by the Registrar of Ships or a Malaysian diplomatic or consular officer. The following documents must be presented for provisional registration of the vessel:

1. Form
   • Application To Register A Ship form (MISR/BKI/05/05)
   • Application for Allotment of an International Call Sign form (MISR/BKI/07/05)
   • Form Declaration of Ownership and Nationality (MISR/BKI/06/05)
   • Appointment / Cancelation / Change Of Ship Manager (MISR/BKI/04/05)
2. Certificate
   • Certificate of Approved Name.
   • Provisional Certificate of Survey (COS) issued by Ships Surveyor of Malaysia.
3. Statutory declaration of ownership must include the following details:
   • Name of the ship and its existing tonnage;
   • Statement of the date when and place where the vessel was built, or if the date and place of building are not known, a statement that the declarant does not know the date and place of the building of the ship;
   • Statement as to the owner of the ship and the citizenship of such owner, and if the vessel is owned by more than one person, the number of shares each is entitled;
   • Statement of the name of the master of the vessel and his citizenship;
   • Statement that no other person (other than those declared) is entitled as owner of any legal or beneficial interest in the ship or any share thereof;
   • Except where the operator and the owner of the ship are the same person, the name and citizenship of the operator of the ship; and
   • Declaration that the particulars stated in the form are true to the best of his knowledge and belief.
4. If individual - photocopy of citizen certificate.

5. If corporation:
   • Certified true copy of Memorandum and Articles of Association and Certificate of Incorporation;
   • Certification under common seal that the majority shareholding including voting share of the corporation is held by Malaysian citizens free from trust or obligations in favor of non Malaysian; and
   • Authority Form - appointing the public officer authorized to make declaration on behalf of the owner.
6. If applicable during this stage, certification from Customs Department that import duty has been paid. Upon due acceptance of the above documents by the registry, the Registrar will allocate an Official Number to the vessel. Registration may take as quickly as seven (7) working days for issuance of Provisional Registry subject to complete document submitted. The certificate of Provisional Registry is valid for a maximum period of one year from the date of its issue.

Permanent Registration Process

Vessels are generally first registered on a provisional basis by the Registrar of Ships or a Malaysian diplomatic or consular officer. The following documents must be presented for provisional registration of the vessel:

1. Application Letter;
2. Builder's Certificate or Deletion Certificate;
3. Original Bill of Sale duly authenticated;
4. Certified Ships Carving and Marking Note;
5. Permanent Certificate of Survey (COS) issued by Ships Surveyor of Malaysia; and
6. If applicable, certification from Customs Department that import duty has been paid.

Full Registration may take as quickly as seven (7) working days for issuance of Permanent Registry subject to complete document submitted.

Fees Schedule : Registration Fee and Annual Tonnage Fees

The schedule of fees are as follows:

Initial Registration

Vessels up to 50 tons gross – RM 10.00
Vessels over 50 to 100 tons – RM 15.00
Vessels over 100 to 200 tons – RM 20.00

with RM 5.00 for every additional 100 tons or fraction of 100.

Annual Tonnage Fees

An annual tonnage fee of RM 0.30 per gross tonnage shall be paid by the owner of a
ship at the time of the initial registration or renewal of registration of the ship and
thereafter annually on or before the anniversary date of the initial registration or renewal
of registration, as the case may be.

Fees for the issuance of the Certificate of Survey

1. The following fees are charged for the issuance of a Certificate of Survey:
   
   (i)   Issuance of Certificate of Survey and amendment – RM 100.00
   (ii)  Inspection of the carving and marking – RM 30.00
   (iii) Any other charges incurred directly by the Surveyor of Ships on inspection of the vessel including RM230 per day or part of the day if the inspection is conducted outside Malaysia or Singapore.
   
2. The fees charged is as per The Merchant Shiping (Surveyors of Ships and Radio Surveyors) (Fees)Rules in force.

List of Ships Registration Forms

1. Application To Register A Ship MISR/BKI/05/05
2. Application For Name Of Ship MISR/BKI/01/05
3. Application For Reserve Prefix/Suffix Name Of Ship MISR/BKI/02/05
4. Declaration Of Ownership And Nationality MISR/BKI/06/05
5. Appointment / Cancelation of An Authorised Officer MISR/BKI/03/05
6. Application For Allotment Of An International Call Sign MISR/BKI/07/05
7. Appointment / Cancelation / Change Of Ship Manager MISR/BKI/04/05