Shipping

To be registered in the Isle of Man, a ship must, in general, be over twenty-four metres in length. A majority interest (33/64 shares or more) must be owned by a ‘qualified person’ which includes bodies corporate incorporated in the Isle of Man or Ireland or any British Colony and limited partnerships having their principal place of business in the Isle of Man or an Island resident general partner.

A merchant ship can be registered in the Isle of Man only if its management is undertaken by a ship’s manager who is resident in the Isle of Man.

There is also provision for the registration in a separate small ships register of ships that are less than twenty-four metres in length and are not fishing vessels.