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A ship\u2019s nationality is the legal connection between the vessel and the State whose flag it is entitled to fly. The flag State exercises jurisdiction and control over administrative, technical and social matters concerning vessels registered under its flag.<\/p>\n
Article 91 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea requires a genuine link between the State and the ship. Each State determines the conditions for granting its nationality, registering ships and permitting them to fly its flag. Registration is the formal procedure through which the ship is entered in the national register and receives the relevant documents.<\/p>\n
Registration in the Bulgarian ship registers is governed primarily by the Merchant Shipping Code and Ordinance No 1 of 10 January 2003 on entry in the register of ships, as subsequently amended. The exact register, documents and technical requirements depend on the type, use, ownership and previous registration of the vessel.<\/p>\n
A refusal by the Executive Agency \u201cMaritime Administration\u201d to register a circumstance subject to entry may be challenged under the applicable administrative procedure. The refusal, the submitted documents and the statutory time limit for appeal must be reviewed promptly.<\/p>\n
This article provides general information and is not legal advice for a specific vessel or transaction.<\/em><\/p>\n