1/ Case of a new vessel or one that is being built

Stage 1
The owner, the agent appointed by the owner or the shipping company must send a name reservation request to the Guichet Unique (form Cerfa12701*01). ). This document is the starting point of the administrative instruction for the vessel.

Stage 2
The owner, the agent appointed by the owner or the shipping company must send a request for registration under the French Flag and for the vessel registration to the Guichet Unique (form Cerfa 12704*01) along with the additional documents listed at the bottom of the form:

• articles of association and company registration certificate of the purchaser,
• copy of the building contract and any possible appendices,
• authorities of the signatories (including the agent),
• documents related to the financing of the vessel (lease contract for example),
• Protocole of delivery and acceptance.
  
  

Stage 3
Once the technical approval for the vessel has been completed and the administrative file is complete, the French Flag RIF’s Guichet Unique issues the ship registration certificates.

For more information, please contact the Guichet Unique du RIF.

Stage 4
Before the vessel is put into commercial use, the shipping company must send a c minimum safe manning request to the Guichet Unique. It is actually up to the shipping company to establish a crew in terms of quantity and quality that complies with the vessel type and the intended usage. This proposal is validated by the Guichet Unique which issues a minimum safe manning document At this final stage the Guichet Unique will provide you with advice on formalising the document.

Stage 5
The final stage consists in the selecting the Maritime Affairs contact department for the shipping company.

2/ Case of a second-hand vessel

Stage 1
In the event of a change of flag and cancellation of a foreign or Community flag, the owner, the agent appointed by the owner or the shipping company must send a name reservation request to the Guichet Unique (form Cerfa12701*01). This document is the starting point of the administrative instruction for the vessel.

Stage 2
Depending on whether it is a French or a foreign vessel, the owner, the agent appointed by the owner or the shipping company must send the request for a change in ownership (form Cerfa 12702*01) or the request for registration under the French Flag (form Cerfa 12704*01) along with the additional documents listed at the bottom of the form:

• articles of association of the owner entity,
• deed of ownership or copy of the contract of sale if there is a change of ownership,
• authorities of the signatories (including the agent),
• documents related to the financing of the vessel (lease contract for example),
• tonnage measurement certificates previously drawn up for registration by the French authorities,
• certificate that no mortgage has been taken out,
• certificate of cancellation of the foreign flag,
• Protocole of delivery and acceptance.
  
  

Stage 3
Once the technical approval for the vessel has been completed and the administrative file is complete, the RIF’s Guichet Unique issues the vessel registration certificates.

For more information, please contact the Guichet Unique du RIF.

Stage 4
Before the vessel is put into commercial use the shipping company must send a minimu safe manning request to the Guichet Unique. It is actually up to the shipping company to establish a crew in terms of quantity and quality that complies with the intended usage. This proposal is validated by the Guichet Unique which issues a minimum safe manning document. At this final stage the Guichet Unique will provide you with advice on formalising the document.

Stage 5
The final stage consists in the selecting the Maritime Affairs contact department for the shipping company.