Published: 2014-01-01
Key Benefits:
Passed 11.02.1998
RT I 1998, 23, 321
Entry into force 01.07.1998, partially 22.03.1998
| 17.06.1998 | RT I 1998, 59, 941 | 10.07.1998 |
| 13.01.1999 | RT I 1999, 10, 149 | 15.02.1999 |
| 20.06.2000 | RT I 2000, 55, 365 | 12.07.2000 |
| 06.06.2001 | RT I 2001, 56, 336 | 07.07.2001 |
| 14.11.2001 | RT I 2001, 93, 565 | 01.02.2002 |
| 19.06.2002 | RT I 2002, 61, 375 | 01.08.2002 |
| 19.06.2002 | RT I 2002, 63, 387 | 01.09.2002 |
| 15.01.2003 | RT I 2003, 13, 66 | 20.02.2003, partially 01.05.2004 |
| 17.12.2003 | RT I 2003, 88, 594 | 08.01.2004 |
| 14.04.2004 | RT I 2004, 30, 208 | 01.05.2004 |
| 22.02.2005 | RT I 2005, 15, 85 | 01.01.2006 |
| 12.05.2005 | RT I 2005, 31, 227 | 01.07.2005 |
| 16.05.2005 | RT I 2005, 39, 308 | 01.01.2006 |
| 12.10.2005 | RT I 2005, 57, 450 | 01.01.2006 |
| 22.11.2007 | RT I 2007, 66, 408 | 01.01.2008 |
| 27.02.2008 | RT I 2008, 13, 88 | 24.03.2008 |
| 10.12.2008 | RT I 2008, 59, 330 | 01.01.2009 |
| 20.05.2009 | RT I 2009, 29, 175 | 01.07.2009 |
| 11.11.2009 | RT I 2009, 57, 381 | 01.01.2010 |
| 08.12.2010 | RT I, 22.12.2010, 1 | 02.01.2011 |
| 05.12.2013 | RT I, 23.12.2013, 1 | 01.01.2014, partially 01.01.2015 and 01.01.2020 |
(1) The national flag of Estonia shall be flown by ships owned by the Republic of Estonia, local governments and other legal persons in public law.
(2) The national flag of Estonia shall be flown by seagoing vessels owned by:
1) Estonian citizens residing in Estonia;
2) general and limited partnerships located in Estonia in which Estonian partners have a majority of votes;
3) other legal persons in private law located in Estonia in the management boards or equivalent bodies of which Estonian citizens form a majority.
(3) A seagoing vessel in common ownership shall fly the national flag of Estonia if at least one of the co-owners is an Estonian citizen residing in Estonia and if the greater share of the seagoing vessel is owned by Estonian co-owners.
(1) The national flag of Estonia may be flown by seagoing vessels owned by Estonian citizens.
(2) A seagoing vessel in common ownership may fly the national flag of Estonia if the greater share of the seagoing vessel is owned by Estonian co-owners.
(3) A seagoing vessel which is the object of shared succession may fly the national flag of Estonia if the greater share of the entire estate is owned by Estonian citizens or Estonian legal persons who together have inherited the seagoing vessel.
(4) The right to fly the national flag of Estonia shall not be granted to a vessel which under a relevant regulation of the Council of the European Union has been included in the list of vessels that have been found to carry out illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
[RT I 2008, 13, 88 - entry into force 24.03.2008]
(1) The master of a seagoing vessel for which a certificate of nationality has been issued must be an Estonian citizen or the citizen of a Member State of the European Union or of a state which is a contracting party to the EEA Agreement.
(2) The master of a seagoing vessel for which a certificate of nationality has been issued may also by the citizen of a state not indicated in subsection (1) of this section if that state grants a similar right to the citizens of Estonia by an international agreement.
[RT I 2005, 31, 227 - entry into force 01.07.2005]
(1) For the purposes of this Act, an Estonian partner or Estonian co-owner is an Estonian citizen or an Estonian legal person. For the purposes of this Act, an Estonian legal person is a legal person registered in Estonia or a legal person in public law founded in Estonia.
(2) Upon registration of a ship, a citizen of a Member State of the European Union and a company or other legal person in private law founded pursuant to the law of a Member State of the European Union whose seat and business establishment is in a Member State of the European Union shall, upon request, be equal to the owner, co-owner or co-successor of a seagoing vessel specified in §§ 1 and 2 of this Act, provided that the person has:
1) a residence or a permanent business establishment in Estonia, and the ship herself is not deemed to be a business establishment, or
2) a permanent representative whose residence or seat is in Estonia and who is responsible for compliance with the technical, social and administrative requirements established with regard to seagoing vessels in Estonia and who directly controls and monitors the use of the ship.
[RT I 2004, 30, 208 - entry into force 01.05.2004]
(1) If the owner, including the co-owner or co-successor, of a seagoing vessel does not have a residence or a permanent business establishment in Estonia, the person shall have a permanent representative who:
1) complies with the requirements established for the operators of ships in Estonia;
2) performs the duties specified in clause 4 (2) 2) of this Act;
3) substitutes for the owner in the making of register entries specified in Chapter 2 of Part I and Divisions 1 and 3 of Chapter 2 of Part II of this Act.
(2) Appointment of a representative shall be certified by a corresponding notarised authorisation document.
[RT I 2004, 30, 208 - entry into force 01.05.2004]
(1) A seagoing vessel is a ship which is intended for operating at sea.
(2) An inland vessel is a ship which is intended for operating on inland waters.
[RT I 2005, 31, 227 - entry into force 01.07.2005]
If an inland vessel crosses the Estonian state border, the requirements set out in this Act for seagoing vessels to obtain the right to fly the national flag of Estonia shall be met by the inland vessel in order to fly the national flag of Estonia.
[RT I 2005, 31, 227 - entry into force 01.07.2005]
The use of unregistered ships for merchant shipping is prohibited.
Shipowners and bareboat charterers are required to prove the circumstances which are the basis for a permit to fly the national flag of Estonia on their ships.
The provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act apply to administrative proceedings provided for in this Act, taking account of the specifications set forth in this Act. The Administrative Procedure Act does not apply to the proceedings related to the ship registry.
[RT I 2003, 13, 66 - entry into force 20.02.2003]
(1) Certificates of seagoing vessels, certificates of nationality, certificates of inland vessels, ship’s letters and provisional certificates of nationality are certificates of nationality.
(2) A certificate of nationality certifies that a ship is permitted to fly the national flag of Estonia.
(3) A certificate of nationality shall contain a reference to the provision of law pursuant to which the ship is permitted to fly the national flag of Estonia.
(4) It is not permitted to hoist the national flag of Estonia on a ship before a certificate of nationality is issued for the ship.
[RT I 2005, 31, 227 - entry into force 01.07.2005]
(1) The courts shall issue certificates of seagoing vessels and certificates of inland vessels for seagoing vessels and inland vessels registered in the ship registry. Ship’s letters shall be issued for ships which perform state administrative duties.
(2) If a ship which pursuant to § 1 or § 2 of this Act is required to fly or may fly the national flag of Estonia is abroad and the shipowner cannot submit an application for a certificate of nationality in Estonia, or the application is too costly or time-consuming, a consular officer of the Estonian representation shall issue a provisional certificate of nationality for the ship at the request of the shipowner. The consular officer of the Estonian representation shall forward a copy of the provisional certificate of nationality and copies of the documents which are the basis therefor immediately to the Maritime Administration and to the court that maintains the ship registry in the territorial jurisdiction whereof the home port of the corresponding ship is located. A provisional certificate of nationality issued by a consular officer of the Estonian representation is valid until the issue of a permanent certificate of nationality but for not over six months.
[RT I 2009, 29, 175 - entry into force 01.07.2009]
(3) If the circumstances specified in § 23 or subsection 24 (2) appear, a provisional certificate of nationality shall be issued by the Maritime Administration.
(4) Upon application for a provisional certificate of nationality, the same information shall be submitted as upon registration of a ship.
[RT I 2005, 31, 227 - entry into force 01.07.2005]
Certificates of seagoing vessels and certificates of inland vessels shall set out all the information contained in the register part.
An entry made in the ship registry shall promptly be indicated in the certificate of seagoing vessel or certificate of inland vessel. This requirement does not apply to entries which encumber a part of a ship.
At the request of the owner of a seagoing vessel, a certificate of nationality which contains the information prescribed in clauses 42 (1) 1)–7) and a call sign shall be issued in addition to a certificate of seagoing vessel.
(1) A provisional certificate of nationality shall contain the information and call sign specified in clauses 42 (1) 1)–7).
(2) In addition to the information specified in subsection (1), a provisional certificate of nationality issued for a chartered ship shall contain information concerning the charterer and a notation that the ship has been entered in the register of bareboat chartered ships and cannot be encumbered with a restricted real right in such register.
(3) A provisional certificate of nationality issued pursuant to § 23 shall contain a notation that the certificate is issued for the first trip of transfer. The route and planned duration of the journey shall be indicated on the provisional certificate of nationality.
The information in ship’s letters and the procedure for the issue of ship’s letters shall be established by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications.
[RT I 2003, 88, 594 - entry into force 08.01.2004]
(1) A replacement certificate of nationality shall be issued if information entered in a certificate of nationality has changed. Upon application for the issue of a replacement certificate of nationality, the original certificate of nationality shall be submitted.
(2) A replacement certificate of nationality shall also be issued if it is proved that the original has been destroyed or lost or become unusable.
(1) Certificates of nationality shall be in Estonian and in English.
(2) The format of certificates of seagoing vessels, certificates of nationality and certificates of inland vessels shall be established by the Minister of Justice.
(3) The format of certificates of ship’s letters and provisional certificates of nationality shall be established by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications.
(4) Upon establishment of the format of certificates of nationality it can be set forth that the certificates of nationality may be supplemented with information not specified in §§ 11, 13 and 14 of this Act.
[RT I 2005, 31, 227 - entry into force 01.07.2005]
(1) Seagoing vessels which pursuant to § 1 of this Act are required to fly the national flag of Estonia shall not fly the national flag of another state at the stern.
(2) A ship for which a certificate of nationality has been issued shall not fly the national flag of another state.
(1) If a seagoing vessel which pursuant to § 1 of this Act is required to fly the national flag of Estonia is transferred to a person for use in the person’s own name for at least one year on the basis of a bareboat charter party, and if the person is not a citizen of the Republic of Estonia residing in Estonia and does not have the right pursuant to § 2 of this Act to fly the national flag of Estonia on the person’s ships, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications may permit the ship to be entered in the register of another state at the request of the owner, if this is permitted pursuant to the laws of the corresponding state. The maximum duration of such permit is two years. At the request of the owner the permit may be extended for one year at a time.
(2) It is prohibited to fly the national flag of Estonia at the stern during the term of the permit specified in subsection (1) of this section.
[RT I 2003, 88, 594 - entry into force 08.01.2004]
(1) Upon application for a permit to fly the national flag of another state, the shipowner shall submit the following documents in Estonian or together with an Estonian translation prepared by a sworn translator or authenticated by a notary:
[RT I, 23.12.2013, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2014]
1) a notarised application of the shipowner;
2) the written charter party of the ship;
3) the consent of the foreign ship register for dual registration;
4) the certificate of seagoing vessel, and the certificate of nationality if issued;
5) [Repealed – RT I 2002, 61, 375 – entry into force 01.08.2002]
(11) Before submitting an application, the shipowner shall pay the state fee.
(2) The permit specified in subsection (1) of this section is valid as of the making of a notation in the ship registry.
(3) A notation shall be made on the basis of a notarised application of the shipowner to which the permit issued by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications and a receipt for payment of the state fee are appended. Before submitting the application, the shipowner shall pay the state fee.
[RT I 2002, 61, 375 - entry into force 01.08.2002]
(1) Upon extinguishment of the right to fly the national flag of another state, the shipowner shall submit a notarised application to the court for deletion of the notation from the ship registry. The certificates of nationality and a certificate that the ship has been deleted or will be deleted from the foreign ship register shall be appended to the application. Before submitting the application, the shipowner shall pay the state fee.
(2) An owner may also apply for the deletion of a notation before extinguishment of the right to fly the national flag of another state.
[RT I 2002, 61, 375 - entry into force 01.08.2002]
A ship built in Estonia to which the right arising from §§ 1 or 2 of this Act does not extend may fly the national flag of Estonia during the first trip of transfer on the basis of a provisional certificate of nationality issued by the Maritime Administration.
(1) A ship to which the right arising from §§ 1 or 2 of this Act does not extend may fly the national flag of Estonia on the basis of an international agreement.
(2) A seagoing vessel of at least 12 metres in length to which the right arising from §§ 1 or 2 of this Act does not extend may fly the national flag of Estonia on the basis of a provisional certificate of nationality issued by the Maritime Administration at the request of the charterer of the ship if:
1) the charterer of the ship belongs to the set of persons specified in § 1 of this Act;
2) the ship has been chartered bareboat for use in the charterer’s own name;
3) the shipowner consents to the exchange of flags;
4) the law applicable to the ship does not prohibit flying the national flag of Estonia.
(3) The maximum duration of a provisional certificate of nationality issued pursuant to subsection (2) of this section shall be two years. At the request of a charterer, a permit may be extended for one year at a time.
(1) The sub-charter of a ship is permitted if, in addition to the provisions of § 24 of this Act, the following conditions are met:
1) the sub-charter is permitted by the charter party;
2) the sub-charterer complies with the requirements specified in § 1 of this Act;
3) the sub-charter terminates before the charter;
4) the sub-charter is entered in the register of bareboat chartered ships.
(2) Upon termination of a sub-charter party, the sub-charterer shall return the certificate of nationality to the charterer.
[RT I 2003, 13, 66 - entry into force 20.02.2003]
(1) A ship shall have a name or other mark of identification. The name shall be given by the shipowner. The name of the ship shall be clearly distinguishable from the names of other ships registered in Estonia. The name of the ship shall not be contrary to good morals.
(2) The word “Eesti” [Estonia] or its foreign language equivalents shall not be used in the name of a ship. The name of a ship shall be written in the Estonian-Latin alphabet.
(3) A registrar of ships may refuse to enter a ship in a register with a reasoned explanation if the name of the ship does not comply with the requirements of this Act. In the event of refusal, the shipowner shall be granted a term to bring the name of the ship into accordance with the requirements of this Act.
(4) The name of a ship may be changed if at least one-half of the ship is transferred to a new owner or for any other good reason. Permission to change the name of a ship shall be granted by the registrar of the ship.
(5) The name of a ship shall be marked on the ship pursuant to the procedure established by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications.
(6) The list of names of ships registered in Estonia is maintained by the Maritime Administration and a shipowner or bareboat charterer shall obtain approval of the Maritime Administration for a name to be given to a ship or to be changed. The Maritime Administration shall not approve a name which is not clearly distinguishable from previously registered names.
[RT I 2003, 88, 594 - entry into force 08.01.2004]
Permanent unique external registration numbers shall be assigned to fishing vessels. The instructions for formation of external registration numbers of fishing vessels and for marking external registration numbers on vessels shall be established by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications.
[RT I 2003, 88, 594 - entry into force 08.01.2004]
(1) The home port of a ship is the port from which the ship mainly operates. The home port of a ship flying the national flag of Estonia must be an Estonian port.
(2) If a ship flying the national flag of Estonia does not have a home port in Estonia, the Port of Tallinn is deemed to be the home port of the ship.
(3) The name of the home port shall be marked on a ship pursuant to the procedure established by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications.
[RT I 2003, 88, 594 - entry into force 08.01.2004]
(1) Upon registration, a permanent unique official number shall be assigned to a ship.
(2) If a ship is assigned an International Maritime Organisation (IMO) number, such number is also deemed to be an identification mark.
(3) The procedure for formation of official numbers shall be established by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications.
[RT I 2003, 88, 594 - entry into force 08.01.2004]
Upon registration of the radiocommunications equipment of a ship, the Technical Surveillance Authority shall assign a call sign to the ship.
[RT I 2007, 66, 408 - entry into force 01.01.2008]
Separate registers shall be maintained concerning ships and ships under construction. The ship registry comprises the ship register and the register of ships under construction. A separate register shall also be maintained concerning bareboat chartered ships.
[RT I 2005, 31, 227 - entry into force 01.07.2005]
(1) Seagoing vessels with an overall length of at least 12 metres which pursuant to §§ 1 or 2 of this Act are required to fly or may fly the national flag of Estonia shall be entered in the ship register. Inland vessels of at least 12 metres in length owned by natural persons residing in Estonia or Estonian legal persons shall also be entered in the ship register. Sailing yachts and launches shall be entered in the ship register if the overall length of the sailing yacht or launch is at least 24 metres.
(2) At the request of the owners, seagoing vessels and inland vessels which are shorter than the overall length specified in subsection (1) of this section may also be entered in the ship register.
(1) Seagoing vessels, inland vessels and non-propelled floating vessels under construction in Estonia, and non-propelled floating vessels situated in Estonia shall be entered in the register of ships under construction.
[RT I, 22.12.2010, 1 - entry into force 02.01.2011]
(2) The presumed technical characteristics of a seagoing or inland vessel under construction shall be such that the vessel will be eligible for entry in the ship register after completion.
(3) A seagoing or inland vessel under construction may be entered in the register of ships under construction as of the moment when the keel is laid and the structure is permanently marked with a name or number. The same applies to non-propelled floating vessels under construction.
[RT I, 22.12.2010, 1 - entry into force 02.01.2011]
(4) The information specified in subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall be certified by the Maritime Administration.
(5) The provisions of this Act and the Law of Maritime Property Act which apply to ships under construction also apply to non-propelled floating vessels.
(1) The register of bareboat chartered ships shall be maintained by the Maritime Administration.
(2) Seagoing vessels which pursuant to subsection 24 (2) of this Act may fly the national flag of Estonia shall be entered in the register of bareboat chartered ships.
A ship which belongs to the state or a local government shall be registered in one of the registers specified in this Act at the request of the owner if the ship is transferred to the possession of another person or if the ship is encumbered with a real right. In addition to the information about the owner as provided for in this Act, also information about the administrator of state assets and authorised body, if the latter has been appointed, shall be registered with regard to a ship which belongs to the state.
[RT I 2009, 57, 381 - entry into force 01.01.2010]
(1) Documents which are submitted to registers that register ships shall be submitted in Estonian. Documents in a foreign language shall be submitted together with a translation prepared by a sworn translator or authenticated by a notary.
[RT I, 23.12.2013, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2014]
(2) Documents issued by authorities shall be submitted as originals or as notarised transcripts.
[RT I 2001, 93, 565 - entry into force 01.02.2002]
(3) Documents issued by authorities of foreign states shall be legalised or authenticated with a certificate (apostille) unless otherwise provided by an international agreement.
[RT I 2009, 29, 175 - entry into force 01.07.2009]
(1) Upon maintenance of the ship registry, the provisions of the Land Register Act shall be applied in so far as this Act does not provide otherwise.
(2) Upon maintenance of the ship registry, the register relating to ships replaces the register relating to land, the ship registry journal replaces the land registry journal and the ship registry file replaces the land registry file.
(3) Upon maintenance of the electronic ship registry, the Maritime Administration has the same rights and duties as the state registrar of land cadastre.
An independent register part shall be opened for every ship entered in the ship registry, and a separate number (official number) shall be consecutively assigned thereto. The register part is deemed to be the ship registry with regard to the ship.
(1) A ship or a ship under construction shall be registered if the owner, under the conditions and pursuant to the procedure provided by law, submits a notarised application for registration of the ship.
(2) The registration of a ship under construction may also be applied for by a person who may demand the sale of the ship or registration of a maritime mortgage on the basis of an enforcement document.
[RT I 2001, 93, 565 - entry into force 01.02.2002]
The owner of a seagoing vessel is required to register the ship if the ship is required to fly the national flag of Estonia pursuant to subsection 1 (2) or (3) of this Act. This requirement does not apply to ships with an overall length of less than 12 metres or, in the case of sailing yachts and launches, less than 24 metres.
Natural persons permanently residing in Estonia and Estonian legal persons are required to register inland vessels which belong to them. This requirement does not apply to ships with an overall length of less than 12 metres or, in the case of sailing yachts and launches, less than 24 metres.
(1) In order to register a seagoing vessel, the following documents or documents which contain the following information shall be submitted:
1) the name, number or other mark of identification of the ship;
2) the type of main engines of the ship, the type of the ship according to its purpose, and the main material of the hull;
3) the home port;
4) the place and year of build and the name of the builder;
5) the call sign;
6) the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) number if it is evident from the tonnage certificate or other corresponding document, the results of official measurement and the output of the engines;
7) information about the owner or co-owners and the percentage of each owner's share of the common ownership, and in the case specified in § 41 of this Act, information about the representative of the owner (the submitted information shall be certified, and in the case of a representative specified in § 41, his or her authority, compliance with the requirements established for the operators of ships in Estonia and consent for being a representative shall be certified, and in the case of the state, also information about the administrator of state assets and authorised body, if the latter has been appointed);
[RT I 2009, 57, 381 - entry into force 01.01.2010]
8) the legal basis for acquiring ownership, which shall be certified;
9) proof of the right to fly the national flag of Estonia;
10) the manager in the case of a ship co-operative;
11) documents which certify that the ship complies with the safety requirements for ships established in the Republic of Estonia;
12) the provisional certificate of nationality if issued;
13) a receipt for payment of the state fee.
(2) If a ship has not been measured in Estonia, the submission of a legalised tonnage certificate issued abroad is sufficient.
[RT I 2003, 13, 66 - entry into force 20.02.2003]
In order to register an inland vessel, the following documents or documents which contain the following information shall be submitted:
1) the name, number or other mark of identification of the ship;
2) the main material of the hull;
3) the home port;
4) the place and year of build and the name of the builder;
5) the overall length of the ship and the output of the engines;
6) information about the owner (ownership shall be certified and in the case of several owners the percentage of each owner’s share shall be indicated), and in the case of the state, also information about the administrator of state assets and authorised body, if the latter has been appointed;
[RT I 2009, 57, 381 - entry into force 01.01.2010]
7) the legal basis for acquiring ownership, which shall be certified;
8) documents which certify that the ship complies with the safety requirements for ships established in the Republic of Estonia;
9) a receipt for payment of the state fee.
(1) In order to register a seagoing vessel under construction, an inland vessel under construction or a non-propelled floating vessel under construction, the following documents or documents which contain the following information shall be submitted:
1) the name, number or other mark of identification of the seagoing vessel under construction, inland vessel under construction or non-propelled floating vessel under construction;
2) the place of build and the name of the builder;
3) information about the owner (ownership shall be certified), and in the case of the state, also information about the administrator of state assets and authorised body, if the latter has been appointed;
[RT I 2009, 57, 381 - entry into force 01.01.2010]
4) documents which certify that, with regard to technical characteristics, the seagoing vessel or inland vessel will be eligible for entry in the ship register upon completion;
5) a receipt for payment of the state fee.
(2) If the owner of a seagoing vessel under construction, an inland vessel under construction or a non-propelled floating vessel under construction is not the builder of the vessel, a notarised confirmation from the builder concerning the circumstances under which another person became the owner shall be submitted for registration of the vessel.
In order to register a non-propelled floating vessel, the following documents or documents which contain the following information shall be submitted:
1) the name, number or other mark of identification of the non-propelled floating vessel (it shall be indicated that the vessel is a non-propelled floating vessel);
2) the location;
3) the place of build;
4) information about the owner (ownership shall be certified), and in the case of the state, also information about the administrator of state assets and authorised body, if the latter has been appointed;
[RT I 2009, 57, 381 - entry into force 01.01.2010]
5) the basis for the creation of ownership, which shall be certified;
6) documents which certify that the non-propelled floating vessel complies with the safety requirements established in the Republic of Estonia;
7) a receipt for payment of the state fee.
The detailed list of documents concerning the technical characteristics and safety of ships to be submitted for the registration of ships and ships under construction shall be established by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications.
[RT I 2003, 88, 594 - entry into force 08.01.2004]
(1) The information specified in clauses 42 (1) 1)–7) and 10), clauses 43 1)–6), clauses 44 (1) 1)–3) and clauses 45 1)–4) of this Act, a reference to the tonnage certificate, and the date of registration of the ship shall be entered in the ship registry.
(2) Upon registration of a seagoing vessel or in the case of existence of the conditions specified in § 6 of this Act upon registration of an inland vessel, a reference to the provision of law pursuant to which the ship is permitted to fly the national flag of Estonia shall also be entered in the ship registry. In the case of a seagoing vessel, the call sign assigned to the ship shall also be entered in the ship registry.
(3) If, pursuant to subsection 20 (1) of this Act, a seagoing vessel is permitted to fly the national flag of another state, a notation shall be entered in the ship registry that the ship is not permitted to fly the national flag of Estonia for the duration of such permit. Upon revocation of the permit, it shall be set out that the ship is again permitted to fly the national flag of Estonia.
(4) In the case of a ship under construction, a reference to the document specified in subsection 44 (2) of this Act and issued by the Maritime Administration pursuant to subsection 32 (4) of this Act shall be entered in the ship registry.
(5) If a person is subject to entry in the register, the person’s name and personal identification code or date of birth in the absence of a personal identification code, or in the case of a legal person the name and registry code or registration number, and the residence or seat shall be entered in the ship registry.
[RT I 2002, 61, 375 - entry into force 01.08.2002]
(1) The shipowner is required to ensure deletion of a ship from the ship register of a foreign state within fifteen days as of registration of the ship in the ship registry, and prove it to a court.
(2) In order to ascertain circumstances requiring investigation, a court may make inquiries to the registrars of foreign states.
(3) Upon failure to perform the obligations provided for in subsection (1) of this section, the provisions of § 53 of this Act shall be applied.
[RT I 2003, 13, 66 - entry into force 20.02.2003]
(1) When a ship registered in the register of ships under construction is completed, the shipowner shall apply for the deletion of the ship from the register of ships under construction or for registration in the ship register.
(2) If a ship registered in the register of ships under construction is registered in the ship register, maritime mortgages shall be re-registered together with the ship and they shall retain their current ranking.
If prior to the registration of a ship another person files an objection to the registration of the ship on the grounds that the person is the shipowner, the court may make a notation concerning the objection in the register part upon registration of the ship.
(1) The court shall be promptly notified in writing of amendments to the information entered in the ship registry which do not constitute entries within the meaning of real rights.
(2) Prompt notice shall be given of changes in the circumstances on the basis of which a ship flies the national flag of Estonia. Notice shall also be given of changes in the circumstances on the basis of which a permit to fly the national flag of another state has been issued.
(3) The court shall be promptly notified if a ship is shipwrecked or is deemed to be shipwrecked or if it becomes unusable or loses the right to fly the national flag of Estonia.
(4) In the case of a ship under construction, the court shall be promptly notified of the completion of the ship.
(5) Submitted information shall be certified.
(1) The following have the duty to submit the information and give notice of the changes and amendments specified in § 51 of this Act:
1) shipowners;
2) co-owners or managers if the managers have been entered in the ship registry;
3) in the case specified in § 41 of this Act, in addition to owners and co-owners, their representatives;
4) in the case of owners, co-owners, managers or representatives that are legal persons, their legal representatives.
(2) If several persons have the duty to give notice pursuant to this section, it is sufficient if one of them gives notice. The same applies if several persons are authorised to represent a legal person.
[RT I 2003, 13, 66 - entry into force 20.02.2003]
If notice is given of changes in the information entered in the ship registry which do not constitute entries within the meaning of real rights, and the changes are sufficiently certified, the court shall amend the information in the ship registry without making a ruling on entry.
[RT I 2005, 39, 308 - entry into force 01.01.2006]
(1) If the circumstances specified in subsection 51 (3) of this Act exist, the shipowner shall apply for the deletion of the ship from the ship registry.
(2) The deletion of an inland vessel from the ship registry need not be applied for if the inland vessel has lost the right to fly the national flag of Estonia in accordance with the law of ship flag which applies to seagoing vessels.
(3) A ship whose registration depends on the wishes of the shipowner shall be deleted from the ship registry on the basis of an application of the shipowner or on the basis of the reasons specified in subsection 51 (3) of this Act.
(4) The notarised consent of the persons concerned is required for the deletion of a ship from the ship registry.
(5) If a seagoing vessel loses the right to fly the national flag of Estonia but the consent specified in subsection (4) of this section is not obtained, a notation shall be made in the ship register pursuant to which the ship loses the right to fly the national flag of Estonia. The notation is equivalent to the deletion of the ship from the ship registry, with the exception of the entries regarding restricted real rights.
(6) If no entries have been made in the ship registry with regard to a ship for thirty years and if, after hearing the opinion of the Maritime Administration, it may be presumed that the ship no longer exists or is no longer used as a ship, the court shall delete the ship from the ship registry unless the ship is encumbered with a restricted real right.
(7) In order to delete a ship from the ship registry, the owner shall submit:
1) a notarised application;
2) the certificate of nationality;
3) documents certifying the circumstances which are the basis for deletion;
4) the notarised consent of the persons concerned;
5) a receipt for payment of the state fee.
(8) If a ship is deleted from the ship registry because the ship loses the right to fly the national flag of Estonia due to transfer of ownership, the application specified in clause (7) 1) of this section shall be notarised.
[RT I 2001, 93, 565 - entry into force 01.02.2002]
(1) A ship under construction is deleted from the ship registry on the basis of an application of the owner.
(2) The owner shall apply for the deletion of a ship under construction from the ship registry if it is destroyed or moved to a foreign state.
(3) The notarised consent of the persons concerned is required for deletion.
(4) For the deletion, the owner shall submit:
1) a notarised application;
2) documents certifying the circumstances which are the basis for deletion;
3) the notarised consent of the persons concerned;
4) a receipt for payment of the state fee.
[RT I 2001, 93, 565 - entry into force 01.02.2002]
(1) If the registration of a ship was prohibited due to an essential error, if a seagoing vessel loses the right to fly the national flag of Estonia or if a ship or ship under construction is moved to a foreign state, is shipwrecked or becomes unusable, and if the obligated persons do not apply for the deletion of the ship or ship under construction from the ship registry, a court shall delete the ship from the ship registry as its official duty. The court shall notify the owners entered in the ship registry and other persons concerned of the planned deletion and grant them a term for filing objections. The term shall not be shorter than three months.
(2) If the whereabouts of the persons specified in subsection (1) of this section are not known, a notice with the term for filing objections shall be published in the newspaper in which court notices are published and in at least one nautical newspaper or journal.
(3) If an objection is filed, the court maintaining the register shall decide thereon according to the procedure provided for a calling proceeding.
[RT I 2008, 59, 330 - entry into force 01.01.2009]
(4) A ship may be deleted from the ship registry only if no objections are filed or if the court ruling rejecting the objections has entered into force. If a mortgagee files an objection to the deletion from the ship registry of a ship which has lost the right to fly the national flag of Estonia on the grounds that the mortgage is still in force, a notation shall be made in the ship registry that the ship has lost the right to fly the national flag of Estonia. Such notation is equivalent to the deletion of a ship from the ship registry, with the exception of the entry regarding the maritime mortgage.
[RT I 2008, 59, 330 - entry into force 01.01.2009]
(1) A court shall promptly make a ruling on the registration of a ship, amendment of information in the ship registry, or full or partial satisfaction or denial of an application for deletion of a ship from the ship registry.
(2) If there are circumstances which require additional investigation, the chairman of the court may extend the term specified in subsection (1) of this section by up to thirty days after receipt of the application. For this same purpose, the obligated person may be required, on the basis of a court ruling, to submit supporting documents in addition to those specified in this Act.
(3) If the application contains an omission which prevents registration or deletion, the court may set a term for elimination of the omission. If the omission is not eliminated by the expiry of the term, the person with competence to make the ruling shall deny the application.
[RT I 2005, 39, 308 - entry into force 01.01.2006]
(1) The court that maintains the ship registry shall close a register part if a ship or ship under construction is deleted from the ship registry or if the register part is rewritten.
(2) In addition to the cases provided for in subsection (1) of this section, a register part of the register of ships under construction shall also be closed upon registration of the ship in the ship register.
The courts shall promptly inform the Maritime Administration of each registration or deletion of a ship.
If the ownership of a seagoing vessel is transferred, it shall be certified that the ship is also thereafter entitled to fly the national flag of Estonia.
(1) If several ships are encumbered with one maritime mortgage or one usufruct, the multi-asset security shall be indicated in the register part of each ship. The same applies to the encumbrance of another ship retroactively with an existing encumbrance on one ship.
(2) In the case of deletion of a co-encumbrance, the co-encumbrance shall be deleted from the register part of every ship.
A ship registry is composed of:
1) a register relating to ships;
2) a ship registry journal;
3) a ship registry file.
(1) Entries and information concerning a ship shall be entered in the register part relating to the given ship.
(2) A register part shall have a title and three divisions which are divided into spaces.
(3) Registers relating to ships shall be maintained in the form of loose-leaf books or on computer. The format of register parts shall be established by the Minister of Justice.
The court and the number of the register part (the official number of the ship) shall be set out in the title of the register part.
(1) The following shall be entered in the first division “Ship” of a register part of the ship register:
1) the identification marks of the ship;
2) the technical characteristics of the ship;
3) the registration and deletion of the ship, and in the case of deletion also the reason for deletion;
4) information concerning the right to fly the national flag;
5) amendments to the recorded information.
(2) The information set out in subsection (1) of this section is not deemed to constitute an entry within the meaning of this Act and the Law of Maritime Property Act.
The following shall be entered in the second division “Shipowner” of a register part of the ship register:
1) information about the shipowner, and in the case of the state, also information about the administrator of state assets and authorised body, if the latter has been appointed;
[RT I 2009, 57, 381 - entry into force 01.01.2010]
2) if the ship is in shared ownership, the names of the owners, whether the ship is in joint ownership or common ownership and, in the case of common ownership, the pecentages of the shares of the co-owners;
3) the ship co-operative and the manager if the ship is owned by a ship co-operative;
4) notations concerning ownership;
5) amendments to entries;
6) the legal basis of the entry.
The following shall be entered in the third division “Encumbrances on Ship” of a register part of the ship register:
1) the restricted real rights encumbering the ship and notations concerning the restricted real rights;
2) in the case of a mortgage, the mortgagee and the monetary amount of the mortgage (the sum of the mortgage);
3) amendments to entries, and deletion.
[RT I 2005, 39, 308 - entry into force 01.01.2006]
(1) The following shall be entered in the first division “Ship under Construction” of a register part of the register of ships under construction:
1) information identifying the ship under construction;
2) the place of build and the name of the builder;
3) a reference to the document which certifies the eligibility of the ship under construction for registration;
4) the registration and deletion from the register of the ship under construction (in the case of deletion the reason shall be indicated);
5) amendments to the stored information.
(2) The information specified in subsection (1) of this section do not constitute an entry within the meaning of this Act and the Law of Maritime Property Act.
The following shall be entered in the second division “Owner of Ship under Construction” of a register part of the register of ships under construction:
1) information about the owner of the ship under construction, and in the case of the state, also information about the administrator of state assets and authorised body, if the latter has been appointed; if the builder of the ship is not the shipowner, a reference to the document which indicates that the owner of the ship under construction is another person;
[RT I 2009, 57, 381 - entry into force 01.01.2010]
2) if the ship under construction is in shared ownership, the names of the owners, whether the ship is in joint ownership or common ownership and, in the case of common ownership, the percentages of the shares the of co-owners;
3) the ship co-operative and the manager if the ship under construction is owned by a ship co-operative;
4) notations concerning ownership;
5) amendments to entries;
6) the legal basis of the entry.
The same information shall be entered in the third division “Encumbrances on Ship” of a register part of the register of ships under construction as in the third division of the ship register.
(1) If a register part is destroyed, lost or damaged, a court shall establish a replacement part.
(2) The procedure is commenced on the basis of a request by the judge or assistant judge who registered the ship or on the basis of an application of a person concerned. At least three months before the hearing of the content of the request or application, the court shall publish a notice in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded, which sets out the content of the request or application.
(3) The establishment of a replacement part shall not be decided by the assistant judge or judge who has registered the ship.
(1) Registration applications which express the desire for an entry to be made shall be registered in the ship registry journal.
(2) The date of acceptance of the application, the official number of the ship concerned, the date the ruling was made, the term granted for the elimination of omissions by the ruling, the date of receipt of supporting documents, the date of making, entry and notification of the ruling on entry, the signatures of the persons who register the ship, the value of the transaction and the state fee shall also be entered in the ship registry journal.
[RT I 2005, 39, 308 - entry into force 01.01.2006]
(1) A ship registry file shall be established for a ship, which is denoted by the number of the register part for the ship.
(2) Documents placed in a ship registry file shall be numbered consecutively.
(3) Documents which are the basis for an entry or which are referred to in an entry shall be placed in the ship registry file. A document may be issued from a ship registry file only if an officially authenticated transcript remains in the ship registry file.
(4) If a document pertains to entries of several register parts, the document shall be placed in one of the ship registry files concerned. A reference to the document shall be made in the other ship registry files.
(5) The courts shall ensure the conformity of transcripts of register parts and other documents in ship registry files with the source documents.
[RT I 2001, 93, 565 - entry into force 01.02.2002]
The ship registry shall be stored in the court.
(1) The ship registry shall be maintained by registry departments of courts. The registry department of Harju County Court shall maintain the ship registry also for the territorial jurisdiction of Viru County Court.
(2) The Minister of Justice shall establish the procedure for maintenance of the ship registry.
(3) The Minister of Justice may establish the procedure for accessing information in the ship registry through a computer network. Information concerning maritime mortgages may be made available through a computer network only to state authorities entitled to exercise supervisory control, courts and notaries.
(4) A notarised application, an authorisation document for submission of an application, and a consent for making, amending and deletion of an entry are deemed to be equal to a digitally signed application, authorisation document or consent in the procedure of registration of a ship.
[RT I 2005, 57, 450 - entry into force 01.01.2006]
(1) The private law status of ships registered in the register of bareboat chartered ships (foreign ships) shall be determined by the law of the state of her initial registration.
(2) Foreign ships are subject to Estonian public law. The safety requirements for ships established in the Republic of Estonia apply to a foreign ship unless the safety requirements of the state of original registration of the ship are stricter than those of Estonia.
(1) Shipowners, charterers of ships, competent state authorities, and persons with a legitimate interest may access the register of bareboat chartered ships.
(2) The persons specified in subsection (1) of this section have the right to obtain officially authenticated transcripts from the register of bareboat chartered ships.
[RT I 2001, 93, 565 - entry into force 01.02.2002]
All acts concerning the maintenance of the register of bareboat chartered ships shall be performed on the basis of decisions of the Maritime Administration.
(1) In order to register a ship, the bareboat charterer shall submit a written application and the following documents or documents which contain the following information:
1) the name of the ship;
2) the main material of the hull, the type of main engines, and the type of the ship according to its purpose;
3) the home port;
4) the name of the builder, and the place and year of build;
5) the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) number if it is in the tonnage certificate or other corresponding document;
6) the results of official measurement and the output of the engines according to the official tonnage certificate;
7) documents which certify that the ship complies with the safety requirements for ships established in Estonia; if the safety requirements for ships of the state of initial registration are stricter than those of Estonia, documents which certify that the ship complies with the safety requirements for ships established in the state of initial registration shall be submitted;
8) the charter party;
9) the consent of the state of initial registration for registration of the ship in the Estonian register of bareboat chartered ships;
10) the notarised consent of the shipowner for registration of the ship in the Estonian register of bareboat chartered ships;
11) the ship station licence;
12) documents which certify that the charterer belongs to the set of persons specified in § 1 of this Act;
13) [Repealed – RT I 2002, 61, 375 – entry into force 01.08.2002]
(2) In order to renew registration, the provisional certificate of nationality shall be submitted in addition to the information set out in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Before submitting an application for registration or renewal of the registration of a ship, the bareboat charterer shall pay the state fee.
[RT I 2002, 61, 375 - entry into force 01.08.2002]
The information specified in clauses 92 (1) 1)–7) of this Act, the call sign if assigned, the name and personal identification code or date of birth in the absence of a personal identification code of the owner and charterer of the ship, or, in the case of a legal person, its name and registry code or, if the person is subject to entry in a register, its registration number, and the residence or seat shall be entered in the register of bareboat chartered ships.
Decision-making shall be based on § 84 of this Act.
(1) The charterer of a ship is required to promptly notify the register of bareboat chartered ships of changes in the circumstances on the basis of which the ship granted for the use of the charterer is permitted to fly the national flag of Estonia.
(2) The charterer is required to promptly give notice in writing if the ship is shipwrecked or becomes unusable. Submitted information shall be certified.
(1) A ship shall be deleted from the register of chartered ships if she loses the right to fly the national flag of Estonia, is shipwrecked or becomes unusable.
(2) A ship is deleted from the register of bareboat chartered ships on the basis of an application of the charterer of the ship. The charterer shall apply for deletion of the ship from the register in the cases specified in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) In order to delete a foreign ship from the register of bareboat chartered ships on the basis of an application of the charterer of the ship, the charterer shall submit a written application indicating the basis for deletion and the provisional certificate of nationality. The basis for deletion of the ship from the register shall be certified. Before submitting the application, the charterer shall pay the state fee.
(4) At the request of the charterer, the Maritime Administration shall issue a certificate in Estonian and English concerning the deletion of a foreign ship from the register of bareboat chartered ships.
[RT I 2002, 61, 375 - entry into force 01.08.2002]
The format and procedure for maintenance of the register of bareboat chartered ships shall be approved by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications.
Failure by the master of a ship to communicate the name, home port, port of departure or port of destination of the ship to a ship which is involved in a collision with his or her ship is punishable by a fine of up to 300 fine units.
Violation by the master of a ship or a person responsible for commanding a ship of the requirements for identification of the ship is punishable by a fine of up to 200 fine units.
Violation by the master of a ship or a person responsible for commanding a ship of the requirement to fly the national flag of Estonia on the ship is punishable by a fine of up to 100 fine units.
(1) The provisions of the General Part of the Penal Code and the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure apply to the misdemeanours provided for in §§ 971 – 973 of this Act.
(2) The Maritime Administration is the extra-judicial body which conducts proceedings in matters of misdemeanours provided for in §§ 971 –973 of this Act.
(1) Shipowners and bareboat charterers, whose ships or ships chartered to whom were registered in Estonia pursuant to the procedure which applied until the entry into force of this Act, are required to register their ships pursuant to this Act within two years after the entry into force of this Act. As of the entry into force of this Act, no entries, except deletions, shall be made in the Estonian ship register, Estonian ship book or other existing registers.
(2) Documents which certify the right to fly the national flag of Estonia become invalid two years after the entry into force of this Act.
(1) If a ship is registered in the ship registry, a person in whose name a registered security over the movable is registered in the Estonian ship register has the right to request that the shipowner establish a maritime mortgage in the ship registry to the same extent and with the same ranking. If the ranking of registered security interests over such movable is not determined, notarised agreements between the pledgees and the shipowner concerning determination of the ranking shall be submitted.
(2) If a ship which is registered in the ship registry is encumbered with a registered security over movables in the Estonian ship register and if the pledgee does not want the ship to be encumbered with a maritime mortgage, the shipowner shall append the consent of the pledgee concerning the discharge of the pledge and waiver of the right provided for in subsection (1) of this section to the application for registration of the ship.
The Maritime Administration shall submit the list of the registered security interests over movables registered in the Estonian ship register to the registrar of the ship registry by 30 June 1998.
§ 101. – § 106. [Omitted from this text]
(1) This Act enters into force on 1 July 1998.
(2) § 100 and clause 101 3) of this Act enter into force on the tenth day after publication of the Act in the Riigi Teataja.
(3) Subsection 4 (2) and § 41 of this Act enter into force by a separate Act upon the accession of Estonia to the European Union.
[RT I 2003, 13, 66 - entry into force 20.02.2003]
