Fees & Forms

The Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority (VMSA) provides essential regulatory services to support safe, secure, and efficient maritime operations across the country. To ensure transparency and consistency, the Authority has established a clear fee structure for its services, including vessel registration, surveys, licensing, and certification.

This page offers access to all relevant application forms and outlines the associated fees for maritime operators, seafarers, and industry stakeholders. Whether you are registering a vessel, renewing a seafarer license, or applying for inspection services, you will find everything you need here to stay compliant with Vanuatu’s maritime regulations. These fees help VMSA maintain high standards of safety, enforcement, and service delivery across the maritime sector.

Seafarers & Manning

VMSA Medical Form

Free
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STCW Seafarers Certification

All fees below include 15% Vanuatu VAT.

Covers competency assessments, oral exams, and certificate issuance for seafarers under the STCW Convention. Contact VMSA via phone or email to schedule examinations or assessments.

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Oral Assessment of Competency or Examination by the Authority
Master/Engineer Unlimited or Class 1 – 17,250 VUV
Master Class 2 or Engineer Class 2 – 11,500 VUV
Master Class 3 or Engineer Class 3 – 11,500 VUV
Master Class 4 or Engineer Class 4 – 5,750 VUV
Master Class 5 or Engineer Class 5 – 5,750 VUV
Deck Watchkeeping Rating or Engine Watchkeeping Rating – 5,750 VUV
Pacific Island Qualified Fishing Deckhand – 5,750 VUV
Small Craft (Boat) Master’s Licence – 5,750 VUV
Seafarer Safety – 5,750 VUV

Issuance of Certificate of Competency (COC)
(Valid for 5 years – same fees apply for revalidation)

Masters
Master Unlimited GT / Master Class 1 or equivalent – 69,000 VUV
Master <3,000GT / Master Class 2 or equivalent – 57,500 VUV
Master <1,600GT / Master Class 3 or equivalent – 46,000 VUV
Master <500GT / Master Class 4 or equivalent – 40,250 VUV
Master <200GT / Master Class 5 or equivalent – 34,500 VUV
Deck Watchkeeping Rating – 23,000 VUV
Certification of pilots (unlimited) – 115,000 VUV
Certification of pilots (domestic) – 57,500 VUV

Engineers
Engineer Unlimited kW / Engineer Class 1 or equivalent – 69,000 VUV
Engineer <3000kW / Engineer Class 2 or equivalent – 57,500 VUV
Engineer <750kW / Engineer Class 3 or equivalent – 46,000 VUV
Engineer <500kW / Engineer Class 4 or equivalent – 40,250 VUV
Engineer <300kW / Engineer Class 5 or equivalent – 34,500 VUV
Engine Watchkeeping Rating – 23,000 VUV

Contact the VMSA

Surveys & Inspections

Annual Survey of Vessels – Small Craft & Yachts

From 34,500vt

For small vessels under 10 gross tonnes, including pleasure yachts, harbour ferries, barges, landing craft, and other non-commercial or small-scale operators.

More information

Size of Vessel by Gross Tonnage (gt) – Total Fee (including 15% VAT)

Less than 10 gt – 23,000 VUV
10 to 20 gt – 34,500 VUV
20 to 30 gt – 40,250 VUV
30 to 40 gt – 46,000 VUV
40 to 50 gt – 51,750 VUV
50 to 60 gt – 57,500 VUV
60 to 90 gt – 63,250 VUV
90 to 100 gt – 74,750 VUV
100 to 200 gt – 80,500 VUV
200 to 300 gt – 86,250 VUV
300 to 400 gt – 92,000 VUV
400 to 500 gt – 97,750 VUV
500 to 600 gt – 103,500 VUV
600 to 700 gt – 109,250 VUV
700 to 800 gt – 115,000 VUV
800 to 900 gt – 120,750 VUV
900 to 1000 gt – 126,500 VUV
1000 to 2000 gt – 241,500 VUV
2000 gt and above – 345,000 VUV

Late Penalty Fees
A late penalty fee applies if the annual survey application is submitted after the deadline for the calendar year:
25% penalty if received after 31st March
50% penalty if received after 30th June
75% penalty if received after 30th September
100% penalty if received after 31st December

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Annual Survey of Vessels – General

From 23,000vt

For all commercial vessels over 10 gross tonnes that are registered and operating under the Shipping Act. This includes cargo ships, passenger vessels, workboats, and similar types requiring annual statutory surveys.

More information

Size of Vessel by Gross Tonnage (gt) – Total Fee (including 15% VAT)

Less than 10 gt – 23,000 VUV
10 to 20 gt – 34,500 VUV
20 to 30 gt – 40,250 VUV
30 to 40 gt – 46,000 VUV
40 to 50 gt – 51,750 VUV
50 to 60 gt – 57,500 VUV
60 to 90 gt – 63,250 VUV
90 to 100 gt – 74,750 VUV
100 to 200 gt – 80,500 VUV
200 to 300 gt – 86,250 VUV
300 to 400 gt – 92,000 VUV
400 to 500 gt – 97,750 VUV
500 to 600 gt – 103,500 VUV
600 to 700 gt – 109,250 VUV
700 to 800 gt – 115,000 VUV
800 to 900 gt – 120,750 VUV
900 to 1000 gt – 126,500 VUV
1000 to 2000 gt – 241,500 VUV
2000 gt and above – 345,000 VUV

Late Penalty Fees
A late penalty fee applies if the annual survey application is submitted after the deadline for the calendar year:
25% penalty if received after 31st March
50% penalty if received after 30th June
75% penalty if received after 30th September
100% penalty if received after 31st December

Download PDF

Additional Surveys, Inspections and Follow-ups

5,000vt

Covers hourly rates for inspections beyond the standard survey process.

Request a surveyor or inspection

Vessel Registration

Transfer of ownership

34,500vt

Applies when a registered vessel changes ownership and must be recorded with the Registry.

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Vessel Registration

From 23,000vt

Used to register a vessel under the Vanuatu flag based on its tonnage and type. Please expand for detailed fee information.

More information

Vessel Registration Fees are for a 5 year term. All fees below include 15% Vanuatu VAT.

Less than 10gt – 23,000vt
10gt to 20gt – 34,500vt
20gt to 30gt – 46,000vt
30gt to 40gt – 57,500vt
40gt to 50gt – 69,000vt
50gt to 60gt – 80,500vt
60gt to 70gt – 92,000vt
80gt to 90gt – 103,500vt
90gt to 100gt – 115,000vt
100gt to 200gt – 126,500vt
200gt to 300gt – 138,000vt
300gt to 400gt – 149,500vt
400gt to 500gt – 161,000vt
500gt to 600gt – 172,500vt
600gt to 700gt – 184,000vt
700gt to 800gt – 195,500vt
800gt to 900gt – 207,000vt
900gt to 1000gt – 218,500vt
1000gt to 2000gt – 253,000vt
2000gt and above – 575,000vt (includes superyachts)

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Fees and Forms

The VMSA has established a clear fee structure for its services, including vessel registration, surveys, licensing, and certification. Find our fees and forms here.

View Forms

Alerts

VMSA Information

Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority
Wharf Road Roundabout,
Kumul Highway,
Port Vila, Vanuatu
(+678) 35445

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