Swedish Register of Shipping

Swedish Register of Ships

All Swedish ships (vessels with a length over all exceeding 24 meters) must be registered in the Register of Ships, part of the Swedish Register of Shipping. Mandatory registration also applies to recreational craft that are classified as ships. Swedish vessels with a length over all up to 24 meters are called boats.

The principal rule is that a ship must be owned to an extent of more than 50 per cent by a Swedish citizen or a Swedish legal person, in order for the vessel to be considered Swedish and be eligible for registration in the Swedish Register of Ships. However, it is also possible for citizens of the EU/EEA to register their ships in Sweden, providing that the owner is a Swedish resident and the vessel normally is stationed in Sweden. Legal persons of the EU/EEA may also register vessels in Sweden, provided that the ship is part of an economic undertaking established in Sweden and the operation of the ship is managed and controlled from Sweden.

Registration may also be possible for ships whose owners do not meet the requirements above, if the owner is given permission according to the Swedish Maritime Code (1994:1009), chapter 1 section 1b. Such permission is granted by the Swedish Transport Agency if the vessel is essentially under Swedish control or if the ship owner has his permanent residency in Sweden.

Swedish Register of Boats

Vessels with a length over all up to 24 meters are called boats and shall (or may) be registered in the Register of Boats, please see below.

All Swedish boats with a length over all exceeding 15 meters must be registered in the Register of Boats. Boats used commercially for tugging, towing, transport of goods or passengers, for fishing or renting to the public must also be registered, if the length of the hull exceeds 5 meters. Boats used for private use with a length over all not exceeding 15 meters may be registered at the owner's request.

Boats are considered Swedish if they are owned to an extent of more than 50 per cent by a Swedish citizen or a Swedish legal person. However, it is also possible for citizens of the EU/EEA to register their boats in Sweden, providing that the owner is a Swedish resident and the vessel normally is stationed in Sweden. Legal persons of the EU/EEA may also register vessels in Sweden, provided that the boat is part of an economic undertaking established in Sweden and the operation of the boat is managed and controlled from Sweden.

Boats with a length over all exceeding 15 meters that are normally stationed in Sweden have to be registered in Sweden even if the boat is not considered Swedish, if the owner of the boat is having his permanent residence in Sweden.

Registration may also be possible for boats whose owners do not meet the requirements above, if the owner is given permission according to the Swedish Maritime Code (1994:1009), chapter 1 section 1b. Such permission is granted by the Swedish Transport Agency if the vessel is essentially under Swedish control or if the boat owner has his permanent residency in Sweden.

Contact details

If you have any questions regarding registration of vessels in Sweden, please contact the Swedish Register of Shipping.
Phone:
+46 771 898 898 (available weekdays 10-12)

Telefax:
+46 11 182 225

E-mail:
sjofartsregistret@transportstyrelsen.se

Postal address:
Transportstyrelsen
Sjöfartsregistret
Box 502
60107 Norrköping

Visiting address:
Olai Kyrkogata 35
Norrköping