National Legislation

The procedures and activities concerning the registration of ships and relevant obligations and requirements applicable to all ships enrolled in The International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize are governed by the following instruments:

Statutory Instrument No. 130 of 2024- Merchant Ships Registration Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping Amendment Regulations

Registration of Merchant Ships (Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations, 2023

Statutory Instrument No. 157 of 2021 – International Maritime Organisation Conventions (Amendment of Schedule) Order, 2021

Registration of Merchant Ships Act, 2020

Statutory Instrument No. 64 of 2018 – International Maritime Organisation Conventions (Amendment of Schedule) Order, 2018

Registration of Merchant Ships (Vessels under 500 GT in service outside the territorial waters of Belize, 1991)

The High Seas Fishing Act, 2013

International Maritime Organisation Conventions Act (Chap. 24:04)

Registration of Merchant Ships (Ship Security) Regulations, 2004

Registration of Merchant Ships (Disciplinary Regulations, 1999)

Registration of Merchant Ships (Cargo Vessels operating in the Caribbean Trading Area) Safety Regulations, 1997

Registration of Merchant Ships (Fishing Vessels of 24 meters in length and above) Safety Regulations, 1995

Registration of Merchant Ships (Pleasure Vessels, 1991)

Yacht Codes

IMMARBE created the code of standards to address perceived gaps in for the international regulatory regime which prescribes safety standards for yachts. It was developed as an enhancement of other similar Codes, providing clarifications and expansion in areas where it is deemed necessary. The standards adopted are considered to be at least equivalent in their effect to those required by all applicable international Conventions.

For the abovementioned reasons, we consider that the Code of Standards prescribes enhanced standards for this industry. The following are code of standards for yachts:

The Code of Standards for Yachts of 24 meters or above and 500GT or more – The Super Yacht Code

The Code of Standards for Yachts of 24 Metres or above and less than 500 GT – The Large Yacht Code

The Code of Standards for Yachts of Less than 24 Metres – The Small Yacht Code

International Merchant Marine Registry

Act No.10 of 2025-International Merchant Marine Registry

International Regulations

As a member of the International Maritime Organization and the International Labour Organization, Belize has ratified several International Conventions as follows:

  • High Seas Convention 1958
  • Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 as amended, Protocol 1978, 1988
  • Loadlines, 1966 and amends, Protocol 1988
  • Tonnage Measurements of Ships, 1969
  • Prevention of Pollution by Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978
  • Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, 1976, 1992 Protocols
  • Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage 1971, 1976 and 1992 Protocols
  • Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972
  • Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976
  • Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, 1978/1995 as amended
  • International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001
  • Athens Convention Relating to the carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 and Protocol 2002
  • Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
  • Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention, 2007
  • IMO Amendment

Those relating to the maritime activities are as follows:

  • No. 108-Seafarer’s Identity Documents, 1958
  • No. 111-Discrimination (Employment and Occupation), 1958
  • No. 138-Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, 1976
  • MLC, 2006-Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
    • Amendments of 2016 to the MLC, 2006
    • Amendments of 2018 to the MLC, 2006

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