Estonia

About the Flag

This Eastern European republic borders on the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland between Russia and Latvia. Its capital is Tallinn. Estonia reestablished its independence in 1991 after being occupied by the former Soviet Union for fifty years. It is led by a President and a Prime Minister together with a unicameral Parliament. Its legal system is based on civil law, and it is a member of the UN and IMO.

Estonia has pursued an ambitious market reform program since independence in order to reintegrate into Western Europe. Exports include timber, textiles and food products; principal trading partners are Finland, Sweden, Russia, and Germany. Estonian is the chief language, and the currency is the Estonian kroon.

According to Law of Ships Flag and Register of Ships Act passed on 11 March 1998 and entered into force 1 July 1998 seagoing ships and ships under construction shall be registered by Estonian courts. There are four departments of courts for that purpose:

• The Registration Department of the County Court of Harju
• The Registration Department of the County Court of Tartu
• The Registration Department of the Country Court of Pärnu
• The Registration Department of the Country Court of Viru

Bareboat chartered vessels shall be registered at the Register of Bareboat Charterers of the Estonian Maritime Administration. Small vessels (up to 12 m in length) and recreation vessels (up to 24 m) shall be registered at the Register of Small Craft of the Estonian Maritime Administration