ADOPTING OPEN SHIP REGISTRY IN GHANA: PROSPECTS AND BARRIERS

Registering a ship is a crucial phase in vessel ownership, mandated by legal requirements that afford vessels access to the global market and open seas. Ship registration plays a pivotal role in contributing to the socio-economic development of flag states. The extent to which flag states benefit from ship registration varies due to the specific registry systems they adopt. This study delved into the current state of ship registration in Ghana, focusing on the impact of the closed ship registry system. Additionally, it attempted to delineate the potential advantages of transitioning to an open ship registry in Ghana. The study identified barriers that might impede the benefits of adopting an open ship registry and suggested strategies to overcome these barriers. The research employed a qualitative methodology for data collection and thematic data analysis. Given the study’s nature, a convenience sampling technique was utilized and overall, 23 industry experts participated in the study from the maritime sector, including individuals from the Ghana Maritime Authority, shipowners, seafarers, academics, and ship managers were interviewed. The findings indicated that the socio-economic benefits derived by Ghana from its current ship registration system are limited, and an open ship registry has the potential to enhance both financial and social gains. Obstacles such as the inconvenient and cumbersome registration process, nationality as a determinant factor in registration, substantial tax burdens without government incentives, corruption, inadequate capacity, implementation bottlenecks, competition, and lax policies pose challenges that could impede the effective implementation and benefits of an open ship registry. The study recommends development of a comprehensive policy framework for implementation of open ship registration, automation and digitalisation of registration systems, delegation of some functions to recognised organisations as well as easing of tax regime and introduction of incentive schemes.