Immarbe, and its staff of committed experts are working for the number one designated office for the Belize Ship Registry with the highest contribution in ship registration for the period 2013-2018 and ranked as No1 amongst all IMMARBE designated office’s.

The International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize, Commonly known by its abbreviation of IMMARBE, is an office that falls under the authority of the Ministry of Finance in Belize. The Registry operates through a network of Designated offices.

In 1997, IMMARBE moved forward by appointing a Designated Office in Rotterdam, The Netherlands that is managed by the deputy Registrar Erik A. de Koning of Hubel Marine B.V. The office is completely empowered to process all applications for temporary and permanent registration of a vessel and including the registration of maritime Liens, issuance of seafarer endorsements, obtaining transcript of registry amongst many other IMMARBE related vessel documentation.

With the Registration of Merchant Ship Act of 1989 which was amended in 1996 and 2010, the principle instrument overseeing the activities in respect to enlisting of ships in the merchant fleet. Belize is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations ,has a stable Political Stability, and IMMARBE became a member state of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1990. Belize has been included on the IMO White List based on full and complete compliance with the STCW 95. The audit of Belize under the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS) was undertaken in 2013. The Registry has attained ISO 9001:2008 Certification because the ISO standards constitute an important component to the operations of registry

FISHING The Belize High Seas Fisheries Unit (BHSFU) within the Ministry of Finance was established on 12th November 2013 pursuant to the High Seas Fishing Act 2013. It is the primary authority responsible for the regulation and control of Belize flagged vessels which engage in fishing or related activities on the high seas pursuant to the High Seas Fishing Act, 2013 and is headed by a Director of High Seas Fisheries who is appointed by the Registrar of Merchant Shipping.

The IMMARBE Designated office in Rotterdam and its staff were nominated in 2019 by the IMMARBE Head office with the highest contribution in ship registration for the period 2013-2018 and ranked as No 1 amongst all IMMARBE designated office’s.

IMMARBE has an age policy dependent on type and area of operation and vessels should be under 25 years of age at time of registration to obtain fast approval for registration. Vessels exceeding the age limit may be accepted upon a satisfactory evaluation of its previous detention record, class society, ship manager, and in some cases, be subject to a General Safety Inspection to determine seaworthiness and management of the vessel.

Through thorough inspections of its fleet, IMMARBE has enhanced its Port State Control performance of 1,060 inspections in 2018 and adjusted the minimum age to 19 years. 60 % of the Belize fleet carries out trade in Asia, 30% in Europe and 10% are vessels from different parts of the world. In order to safeguard the integrity and reputation of the Belize Ship Registry with an aim to accomplish a future goal as becoming a White Listed Registry, the Technical department of Belize Ship Registry developed an Occasional Survey Program for vessels operating in the area of Paris MOU and Tokyo MOU.

There is no restriction in ownership as all foreign owned companies or individuals may register vessels under the Belize Flag.