Formerly British Honduras, Belize is situated on the east coast of Central America bordering the Caribbean Sea between Guatemala and Mexico.
For 4,000 years, Belize formed the keystone of the Mayan Empire whose advanced culture flourished even as the first shipwrecked British seamen landed.

A parliamentary democracy, Belize gained independence from England in 1981. The Queen of England represented by a Governor General acts as head of state while the Prime Minister is the head of government.

There is a bicameral national assembly. The capital is Belmopan, and Belize is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the UN and the IMO.

Agricultural products (sugar, citrus fruits and bananas) are the main exports, though tourism and fishing are gaining in importance. Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world. It represents a major attraction for those interested in diving, snorkeling, sports fishing and marine studies. English is the official language, and the United States is the main trading partner. The unit of the currency is the Belize dollar.

THE SHIPS REGISTRY

The International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize, Commonly known by its acronym of IMMARBE, is a department within the Attorney General's Ministry. The Registration of Merchant Ship Act of 1989 as amended by Act. No.5 of 1996 is the main instrument governing the activities relating to the enrollment of ships in the merchant fleet.

The register became operational in May 1991 and at June 2002 totaled 1,281 vessels of 1,963,950 GT were registered.

The Head Office of IMMARBE is located in Belize City and have attained ISO 9002 certification.

To facilitate the operations and to ensure an expedite service the registry operates through a network of Designated Offices worldwide. Hubel Marine B.V. is the designated office located in the Netherlands and is fully empowered to process applications for provisional and permanent registration and issue the relevant documents that will be promptly delivered to the main office for files of each vessel.

ELIGIBILITY
There are no requirements concerning local ownership or participation in ownership. The Registry of Belize is open to any type, class, or size of vessel used for navigation that is engaged in any lawful trade, service or international maritime activity.

MANNING REQUIREMENTS
Every Belize registered ship must be in possession of a valid certificate of Minimum Safe Manning MSM which is issued by IMMARBE in accordance with the IMO regulations and specifies the minimum number and composition of the crew complement.

The issuance of the MSM Certificate is guided by Resolution A 890(21) of the International Maritime Organization. Owners may apply for a reduced manning scale should their ships be designed and constructed with unattended machinery space, or are approved with any other machinery automation or remote controls, or trading in restricted areas.

ENDORSEMENT OF OFFICERS CERTIFICATES 
Belize was placed on the IMO STCW White List in November 2001. The procedures for issuance of such Endorsements by IMMARBE are based on equivalence, requiring evidence that the applicant is in possession of an appropriate, recognized and valid certificate from a country that is on the IMO White List.

THE GENERAL SAFETY INSPECTION PROGRAM
All vessels registered at IMMARBE are subject to a safety inspection in order to ensure compliance with the national and international regulations. For this purpose an Inspection Fee is charged in the Annual Fees collected for each vessel. The inspection program contemplates an annual General Safety Inspection, but the Administration may order a re-inspection or a special inspection when it is considered necessary.

RECORDING OF TITLE AND MORTGAGE
The recording of title deeds, mortgages, liens and encumbrances or any other assignments relating to any registered vessel is governed by the Merchant Shipping Act and may be requested through our Office. Recording of documents may be either:

• Preliminary recording
• Permanent recording 

The preliminary recording of documents may also be effected by the Hubel Marine B.V. on the basis of an application submitted to the latter and forwarded to the Head Office for the records entry.

The preliminary recording of documents is valid for six calendar months and has the same legal effect as permanent recording. In the event that the permanent recording is not accomplished prior to the expiration of this period, the preliminary recording will lapse.

The permanent recording of documents may be requested at any time within the six months validity of the preliminary recording or immediately if all necessary documents are to hand.

Should the documents for recording be in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a notarized official translation into English. After completion of the procedures, a Certificate of Recording will be produced by IMMARBE and delivered to the applicant.

The recording of the vessel’s ownership title is required for the completion of the vessel’s registration as well as for the recording of mortgages, liens or encumbrances upon the vessel

AUTHORISED ENTITIES

Recognized Organizations
IMMARBE has delegated authority to leading IACS classification societies and non IACS Surveying organizations to perform marine surveys and issue the relevant certificates required by National and International Conventions. The delegation of authority is guided by IMO Resolution A.739(18) which lists the requirements to be fulfilled by the Flag Administration and for the organizations acting on its behalf.

Owners of vessels flying the Belize flag are entitled to enter into a private agreement with the organization of their choice for the marine surveys and issuance of the certificates, provided that the selected company is authorized to act on behalf of IMMARBE.

For vessels of 7501 GT and above, only members of IACS may act as Recognized Organizations.

SPECIAL REGISTRATIONS
IMMARBE also accepts vessels to be registered for a short period under special circumstances such as one delivery voyage for scrap. Procedures for special registration allow for documents to be issued with a validity of three months and automatic expiration when this period elapses. This special status does not entitle the vessel to a Deletion Certificate. IMMARBE implemented in August of 2002 a new price list, which effected that the Belize Ship Registry became market leader in the Special Registrations Market.

DEPUTY REGISTRAR
The managing director, Erik A. de Koning, was appointed by the Government of Belize as Deputy Registrar in September 1997. Erik de Koning has extensive experience in IMMARBE’s registration matters and has successfully registered approx 496.000 gross tonnage in the Belize registry.

* Source - Immarbe , Belize