Luxembourg's Maritime Registrar maintains a public record of registered vessels and maritime mortgages
The in rem rights of a vessel registered in the Luxembourg ship registry are governed by Luxembourg law. As only the legal owner may alienate or mortgage a vessel, the reliability of the Luxembourg public maritime register is crucial to financiers.
Maritime Register
The following details are recorded in the Vessel and Maritime Mortgage Register:
Vessel
| Vessel Name | Ship Type |
| Registration Number | Tonnage |
| Registration Date | Year of Construction |
| Port of Registry | Length |
| Location at Time of Registration | Hull Material |
| Shipyard Name and Address | Engine Power and Propulsion |
| Principal Use | Other Characteristics |
Ownership
| Owner Name | Seat of Principal Establishment |
| Owner Address | Nature of Deed |
| Registration Date | Ownership Share (%) |
| Registration Number |
Mortgages and Liens
| Registration Number | Given names and surnames of the parties |
| Date of the Deed | Domiciles of the parties |
| Authorizing Public Officer or Court (notarial deed) | Agreement Type and Principal Features |
Ascertaining Ownership
Ownership can be ascertained by the vessel’s Certificate of Registry which generally constitutes conclusive evidence of the registered owner’s title. The Registrar of Mortgages can issue Mortgage Certificate as well as a Certificate of non-inscription confirming the absence of any registered liens and encumbrances as well as the name of the registered owner and vessel details.
Mortgage Certificate (“Certificat Hypothécaire”)
Upon request, the Luxembourg Maritime Registrar issues a Mortgage Certificate detailing the following:
- Vessel Identification information;
- Vessel Registration information;
- Registered mortgages and encumbrances;
- Vessel Ownership information.
Certificate of Non-Registration (“Certificat de Non-Inscription”)
Upon request, the Luxembourg Maritime Registrar can issue a Certificate of Non-Registration confirming that a Luxembourg vessel is free from any registered mortgages and encumbrances.
The following documents are also available to the Public:
- Certified copy of Certificate of Ownership & Encumbrance (COE);
- Certified copies of Mortgage Instruments and filed Loan Agreements.