1/ Case of a new vessel or under construction

Stage 1
Once the construction has started, she’s examined from a technical point of view by the regional safety committee (for vessels less than 24m) or the central safety committee. These bodies examine the vessel’s technical compliance with the applicable regulations.
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).

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 via the form Cerfa 12704*01 along with the additional documents which are listed at the bottom of the form.

Required documents:
 articles of association and company registration certificate of the purchaser;
 copy of the construction contract and any possible appendices;
 authorities of the signatories (including those of the agent);
 documents related to the financing of the ship (lease contract for example);
 certificate that no mortgage has been taken out;
 power 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 registration documents.

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 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 case of flag change 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 constitutes 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) respectively to the Guichet Unique, along with the additional documents listed at the bottom of the form.

Required documents:
 articles of association and company registration certificate of the purchaser,
 deed of ownership or copy of the contract of sale if there has been a change of owner,
 authorities of the signatories (including those of 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, RIF’s Guichet Unique issues the registration certificates for the vessel.

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 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 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 minimum safe manning document.

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