Ship Registration in the Cook Islands

Hilda Loe Associates is pleased to offer clients the opportunity to register their vessels in the Cook Islands. Our services include but are not limited to new vessel registration, change of ownership registration, change of vessel name, mortgage registration, mortgage release registration, annual renewals , obtaining of Transcript of Registry and more.

Many owners register their vessels in the CKI to take advantage of its uncomplicated and competitive ship registration procedures.

Documents Required For New Registration:

• Proposed Name of Vessel.
• Original Bill of Sale (if resale).
• Builder Certificate (if brand new).
• Copy of Certificate of Survey / Tonnage Certificate (If available or Form 2A)
• Copy of Certificate of Incorporation (If Buyer is a company).
• Copy of Register of Director (if Buyer is a company).
• Copy of passport of director/beneficial owners (from Buyer and/or if Buyer is a natural person).
• Closed Transcript or Deletion Certificate from vessel’s previous Registry.
• Copies of all vessel’s present certificates issued by flag state and classification society.
• Board Resolution or Consent approving vessel to be registered in Cook Islands and appointing Authorized Representative & Signor (We will provide sample. Buyer to complete and sign).
• Forms 1F, 2A, 5A and 10 (We will provide documents Buyer to sign & seal).

Advantages of the CKI Ship Registration:

• Cook Islands have a stable democratic government with a legal system based on English law. It is a leading Pacific Small Island State and is often held up as a role model.
• Cook Islands is an IMO Member State and is party to all major IMO Conventions.
• Cook Islands’ national maritime legislation, including the Ship Registration Act 2007 and Maritime Transport Act 2008 reflects the most modern standards, enabling the Registry to give full and complete effect to IMO legislation.
• Maritime Cook Islands (MCI) enforces IMO Conventions, Codes and Rules to ensure that ships registered in Cook Islands are in compliance and will not be targeted by Port State Control because of the Flag.
• MCI does not impose additional requirements on ship-owners beyond the requirements of the IMO conventions to which Cook Islands is party.
• Ownership requirements for the Cook Islands are easily met by joining the Cook Islands Yacht Squadron (CIYS) – cost effective and hassle-free. No need to form a Cook Islands Company or be a citizen of Cook Islands.
• Cook Islands has formal agreements with most IACS Classification Societies and other Classification Societies recognized by the EU.
• MCI's vessel registration, documentation, and mortgage recording procedures are designed to be simple yet comprehensive making it as user friendly as possible, whilst ensuring that vessels are compliant and owners and mortgagees’ interests are protected.
• MCI issues Endorsement Acknowledgements the same day it receives the scanned application, with required documents, by e-mail. The acknowledgement is valid for 3 months.
• Bareboat Chartering is allowed, both in and out.
• No requirements regarding nationality of crew.
• The Cook Islands Offshore Jurisdiction has been established for over 25 years and much of its offshore legislation is the model on which others are based.