Antigua and Barbuda Maritime Legislation

Merchant Shipping Act (MSA)

1. The Antigua and Barbuda Merchant Shipping Act is laid down in Cap. 28 in the Laws of Antigua
    and Barbuda. It came into force on the 1st of January 1986. The MSA was enacted and currently
    amended to keep in line with international safety requirements regarding safer ships and cleaner
    oceans. 
 

2. The International Register of Ships is operated by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda
    on the legal basis of the MSA through its Department of Marine Services and Merchant
    Shipping (ADOMS)
. It is the policy of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to give full and
    complete effect to all conventions and to fully implement all requirements as they are applicable
    to Antigua and Barbuda.

    Another aim is to maintain and foster an efficient, reliable and well recognised open ship register
    based on procedures, affording protection to owners, operators, insurance companies and
    banks.
 

3. Antigua and Barbuda is inter alia party to : 

-
LOAD LINES 66

e.i.f. 09th May 1987

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TONNAGE 69

e.i.f. 03rd June 1987

-
COLREG 72

e.i.f. 29th January 1988

-
SOLAS 74

e.i.f. 09th May 1987

-
MARPOL 73/7

e.i.f. 29th April 1988

-
STCW 78/95

e.i.f. 05th May 1997

-
UNCLOS

e.i.f. 16th November 1994

4. Antigua and Barbuda enjoys close relationships with other governments in the Caribbean and
    within the International Shipping Community.
 


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