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The Registry permits the registration of the following types of vessels:

• Vessels under construction, subject to the Registry’s discretion;
• New built vessels; and
• Vessels already in operation registered with a foreign flag wishing to apply for a transfer under the Sao Tome and Principe flag.

On submission of the required documents and once a vessel is accepted to be registered under the Sao Tomean flag, a Provisional Certificate of Registration will be issued with a six-month validity. During this six-month period ship owners and/or their representatives will have the necessary time to collect and submit the required documents to the Registry for Permanent Registration in order to proceed with the issuance of a Permanent Certificate of Registration valid for a time period of five years.

The Maritime Legislation of Sao Tome and Principe permits a vessel registered under the flag of a foreign Registry to be registered as bareboat charter under the flag of Sao Tome and Principe (commonly referred to as “Bareboat in”) as well as the registration of the bareboat charter of a Sao Tomean registered vessel under the flag of a foreign Registry (commonly referred to as “Bareboat out”).

Vessels intended for a single voyage may be registered under Sao Tome and Principe for a period of up to three months provided that the voyage falls under a list of special circumstances. The special circumstances under which a vessel may be granted a temporary/special registration include single delivery voyage from Port A to Port B and single voyage to a designated scrap yard in the case of demolition of the vessel. The vessel’s certificates are issued with a validity of three months with automatic expiration upon the expiry of this period.

Under the Sao Tome and Principe International Ship Registry vessels registered under the flag, either provisionally or permanently, are eligible to proceed with the registration and recording of a mortgage, thereby allowing for a loan or other financial consideration to be recorded provided that the mortgage fulfils the standards imposed by the Registry. Nonetheless, this provision does not apply to bareboat charters flying the Sao Tomean flag.

Once the mortgage is finalised, the mortgage document must be forwarded to the Registrar whilst on acceptance, the mortgage is recorded by the Register as of the date and time of its deposit and remains an encumbrance on the ship until discharged by the mortgagees.

Registration of fishing vessels is only applicable for locally owned vessels intended to fish within Sao Tome and Principe national waters.

A private yacht is a yacht that is used solely for recreational and leisure purposes of its owner and is not engaged in any form of trade or commerce.

A commercial yacht is a yacht engaged in trade, commerce or charter on carrying not more than 12 passengers for hire.

The Sao Tome and Principe Registry can process seafarers’ certificates of endorsements under various flag administrations. Provided that the relevant application and supporting documents are submitted, seafarers will be issued a Certificate of Endorsement attesting the recognition of a certificate under the provisions of the STCW Convention.

Following submission of an application for a Certificate of endorsement, a Confirmation Letter of receipt of application shall be issued to the seafarer which serves as proof to allow the seafarer to be serve on board a vessel under their intended capacity, with a 3-month validity. During the 3-month validity period, the Administration will have the time to carry out the appropriate verification process, and if satisfy will issue a Certificate of Endorsement to the seafarer valid for the whole duration that the seafarer will be serving on board the intended vessel.