In Türkiye, ships engaged in cargo and passenger transportation both within the Blue Homeland and in international waters must comply with specific regulations. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure provides an online platform, the Umurbey Citizen Portal (Umurbey Portal), where individuals and legal entities can submit all necessary applications digitally.
This article outlines the conditions, required documents, and institutions to apply for ship-related registrations and transactions.
Online Transactions via the Umurbey Citizen Portal
The Umurbey Citizen Portal facilitates various ship registration, licensing, and documentation processes. Before accessing the system, applicants must prepare and upload all required documents.The portal centralizes many official processes under Türkiye’s regulations and procedures for cargo and passenger transportation in international waters.
1. Ship Naming Procedures
- Ship Name Application
- Ship Name Change Application
2. Ship Registration Procedures
- Registration in the Special Registry for Ships Under Construction
- Registration in the MGS (National Ship Registry) or TUGS (Turkish International Ship Registry) for Ships Completed in Türkiye or Free Zones
- Transfer of Ships Registered in MGS to TUGS
- Transfer of Ships Registered in TUGS to MGS
- Registry Sale Transactions
- Registration of Ships in TUGS or MGS Due to Donation
- Registration of Imported Ships in MGS or TUGS
- Registry Transfer Due to Court-Ordered Purchase
- Registry Transfer Due to Inheritance
- Registration of Foreign-Flagged Ships Sold to Turkish Citizens Due to Forced Execution in Türkiye
- Transfer of a Ship Between Port Registries
- Updating Attestation Certificate Following Registry Record Changes
- Registration of Lease Agreements in the Ship Registry
- Termination of Lease Agreements
- Abandonment of the Ship Due to Loss of Right to Fly the Turkish Flag
- Removal of a Ship from the Registry Due to Foreign Sale
- Provisional Cancellation from the Registry for Bareboat Chartering
- Registration of Mortgage Agreements in the Ship Registry
- Release of Mortgage Agreements from the Ship Registry
- Registration of Financial Leasing Contracts
- Temporary Turkish Flag Registration for Foreign-Flagged Ships
- Reinstating Turkish Flag Status for Bareboat Chartered Ships After Charter Expiration
- Mooring Register Ship Registration
- Request for Ship Registry Record Samples
- Ship Registry Book Inspection and Document Requests
- Renewal of Ship Registration Certificates (Due to Loss, Wear and Tear, etc.)
3. Mooring Log Procedures
- First Registration (License) Application
- Spirit Visa Transactions
- First Registration Due to Self-Manufacturing
- Registry Transfer Due to Inheritance
- License Changes Due to Wear and Tear
- License Changes Due to Loss
- License Changes Due to Ship Type Modification
- License Changes Due to Information Updates
- Transfer from Mooring Registry to National Ship Registry
Importance of Digital Regulations and Procedures for Cargo and Passenger Transportation in International Waters
Türkiye has streamlined its ship registration and regulatory procedures through digital transformation, ensuring efficiency and compliance with international maritime laws. The Umurbey Citizen Portal simplifies transactions, reducing paperwork and processing times for shipowners, cargo transporters, and passenger service providers.
Türkiye has streamlined its ship registration and regulatory procedures through digital transformation, ensuring efficiency and compliance with international maritime laws. These improvements are especially crucial for shipowners involved in cargo and passenger transportation in international waters, where regulatory clarity and quick processing directly affect operational timelines.
For professional assistance with ship registration, maritime tax advisory, and compliance with Türkiye’s maritime regulations, contact Özbek CPA.
