LegalGELegalGE
...

Maritime Law

What are the benefits of registering a ship under the Georgian flag?

Georgia offers a competitive and efficient ship registration process with attractive fiscal terms. The Georgian flag is white-listed in many MOUs, ensuring smoother international navigation. Registration grants state protection and access to international maritime conventions ratified by Georgia.

Can a seafarer arrest a ship for unpaid wages in Georgia?

Yes, unpaid wages are considered a privileged maritime lien. If a shipowner fails to pay, a seafarer has the right to apply for the arrest of the vessel in a Georgian port. Our legal team assists in filing the claim and enforcing the arrest to secure payment.

What legal support do crewing agencies need?

Crewing agencies (recruitment services) must be authorized by the Maritime Transport Agency. They need to comply with MLC 2006 standards regarding seafarer employment agreements (SEA), social security, and repatriation. We provide compliance audits and help obtain necessary authorizations.

How is a ship sale and purchase (S&P) transaction handled?

We assist in drafting and reviewing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), usually based on standard forms like NSF 2012. We verify the ship's title, ensure it is free of encumbrances (mortgages, liens), and manage the closing meeting and deregistration/registration formalities.

Reading Time

3 min

Published

...

Note: This service (1117) is identical to the previous one (1116) — "Maritime Law". However, since each service requires unique content, here we will focus on Ship Registration and Maritime Labor Law, which are integral parts of maritime law.

Ship registration under the Georgian state flag and seafarers' labor rights are significant aspects of maritime law. Georgia, as a maritime nation, is actively developing its ship registry and trying to attract shipowners with attractive conditions. Ship registration grants the right to sail under the Georgian flag and enjoy state protection. In parallel, the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) regulates issues of seafarer employment, working conditions, health protection, and social security. Legal services in this direction are essential for shipowners, crewing companies, and seafarers to ensure compliance of employment contracts with international standards and protect the rights of parties.

What Does Ship Registration and Labor Law Service Cover?

Our lawyers offer full support in ship administration and crew management issues:

  • Ship Registration: Registering a ship in the State Ship Registry of Georgia, registering ownership rights and mortgages.
  • Reflagging: Legal assurance of reflagging procedures and temporary registration.
  • Employment Agreements (SEA): Preparing seafarers' employment agreements in accordance with MLC 2006 standards.
  • Crewing Licensing: Authorization of seafarer recruitment (crewing) companies and legal audit of activities.
  • Seafarers' Rights: Disputes regarding unpaid wages, injuries, or repatriation issues.
  • Sale and Purchase (S&P): Preparing ship Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and closing deals.

Common Scenarios and Needs

Shipowners often face difficulties when mortgaging a ship, as banks require full transparency of the registry. For seafarers, the main problem is delayed or unpaid wages, especially in cases of ship arrest or owner bankruptcy. In such cases, it is necessary to arrest the ship and sell it at auction to cover debts. Crewing companies need constant consultation regarding changing regulations on labor safety and certification.

Georgian Legislation and Regulations

Ship registration is regulated by the "Maritime Code of Georgia" and the "Law on Ship Registration". Labor relations are covered by the "Law on Seafarers' Labor", reflecting the requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006). The ship registry is maintained by the Maritime Transport Agency. Mortgage and pledge issues are regulated by the Civil Code and special maritime norms.

The Process: How a Specialist Works

When registering a ship, the lawyer collects all technical and legal documents (Bill of Sale, Tonnage Certificate, Class Certificate). They check the ship's history and encumbrances. Documents are submitted to the Agency, and after registration, a Certificate of Registry is issued. In labor disputes, the lawyer first negotiates with the shipowner, and if no result is achieved, applies to the Harbor Master or the court to arrest the ship.

Why Legal.ge?

Ship registration and maritime labor are specific fields where mistakes are costly. Legal.ge gives you access to lawyers with practical experience with the ship registry and international maritime organizations (IMO, ILO). Through our platform, you can find specialists who will help you choose a flag, conclude deals, and manage the crew. Trust Legal.ge's maritime experts.

Updated: ...

Specialists for this service

Loading...