Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has said more than 3,000 internationally owned ships are already registered under the Virgin Islands flag. Photo: BVIPA

Ship registration is the legal process of recording a vessel in a national registry, giving it nationality, a unique identity, and the right to fly that country’s flag under established laws. Photo: BVIPA

Hon Rymer made the revelation during remarks at the opening of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) Inaugural PortVision Conference at Maria’s by the Sea on October 1, 2026.

More than 3000 internationally owned ships registered

“Our maritime reach is expanding beyond our shores. The Virgin Islands Shipping and Maritime Authority, VISMA, has unveiled a dual pathway strategy to grow beyond yacht registration into merchant vessel flagging, positioning the BVI to compete for a share of the trillion-dollar global maritime market.”

Hon Rymer added that with more than 3,000 internationally owned ships already registered under the Virgin Islands flag, “we have the foundation. Now is the time to build on it.”

Ship registration is the legal process of recording a vessel in a national registry, giving it nationality, a unique identity, and the right to fly that country’s flag under established laws.