Italy

About the Flag

In southern Europe, Italy is a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea bordering upon France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The Republic of Italy also includes the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. It is one of six founding members of the European Community, and a member of the OECD, UN, and IMO. The capital is Rome, and the form of government is that of a parliamentary republic, with the President of the Council of Ministers who is responsible for the administration of the country; the bicameral Parliament; and the President of the Republic who is the head of the country vested with some limited powers. Italy's economic success is attributable to many medium and small enterprises which have supported the economy of the country for the past 60 years. Though the economy is based on private enterprise, there is a significant government involvement in some industrial and commercial activities even if it has been reduced in the last few years following privatisation. Major trading partners include the EU countries and the United States. Chief exports include metals, textiles and clothing, production machinery, wine and motor vehicles. The unit of currency is the Euro.

The Italian Code of Navigation regulates shipping, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport oversees vessels’ registrations. There are several local ship registries located with the various Ports Authorities throughout Italy.

In 1997 – 1998, through the law Acts 30.12.1997 no. 457 and 27.2.1998 no. 30, Italy established an International Registry. These Acts have introduced some amendments to the Navigation Code, which clarify the position.

The International Shipping Registry is divided into 3 sections:

• The first section is dedicated to vessels owned (more than 12 ship shares out of a total of 24) by an Italian or EU individual or company.
• The second section pertains to vessels, new buildings or vessels coming from a foreign registry, belonging to a non-EU individual or company who takes over the effective control of the ship directly through a permanent structure based in Italy, managed by an Italian or EU individual or company (domiciled in the place of registration of the vessel). This Italian/EU individual or company assumes all responsibilities for dealings with the Italian administrative authorities through a declaration to be submitted to the registration office.
• The third section is for vessels belonging to not EU subjects and temporary suspended from a non EU registry as a result of a bareboat to an Italian or EU subject.

Apart from the special rules provided for by the Act No. 457 (regarding the fiscal and labor regime), the vessels registered in the International Registry must comply with the same international provisions, regulations, and conventions of the Italian first registry vessels. The law of the temporary dismissed flag country rules mortgages on vessels entered into the third section of International registry ("bareboat in vessels") – see sect. 8 and 14 d. P.R. 21.2.1990 no 60.