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Changing a ship’s name or port of registry

A ship’s name can be changed for ships registered in both Part A and Part B. A ship’sport of registry can only be changed for ships registered in Part A.

When changing a ship’s name or port of registry the markings on the ship must not be changed until Maritime New Zealand’s Registrar of Ships has formally approved the new name or port of registry.

The name of a ship registered in Part B of the Register can be changed without the registration terminating.

A ship owner wanting to change a ship’s name (Part A and B) or port of registry (Part A only) needs to send Maritime New Zealand’s Registrar of Ships the following:

• an application for change of name (form SR6)
• the Ship's Certificate of Registry (Part A) or Certificate of Registration (Part B)
• a fee of NZ$326.00 for Part A ships
• a fee of NZ$128.00 for Part B ships.

Application for change of name or port of registry (form SR6) [PDF: 173Kb, 3 pages]

Once the new name has been approved, the owner must mark the new name and/or port of registry on the ship. For ships registered in Part A, a Carving and Marking Note will be issued by the Registrar.

For commercial ships, a recognised surveyor (with a Safe Ship Management company or approved Classification Society) must inspect the marking and sign the Carving and Marking Note.

Recognised surveyors list [PDF: 44Kb, 14 pages]
Safe Ship Management companies

For pleasure vessels, the owner must sign the Carving and Marking Note to confirm the ship is correctly marked.