Current News
Please see attached our regular Newsletters keeping you up to date with developments in St. Kitts & Nevis & our Ship Registry.We hope you find the information in it informative and useful. We welcome your comments.
2009
September - St Kitts & Nevis and Monaco sign Double Taxation Treaty
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 23RD 2009 (CUOPM)
St. Kitts and Nevis has signed its first ever Double Taxation Agreement. Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas signed the agreement with the Principality of Monaco. Monaco’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Gilles Noghes signed the agreement on behalf of Prince Albert. “The signing between St.Kitts and Nevis and Monaco is the first Double Taxation Treaty that we are signing with another country in ensuring that the financial services sector reaches the highest standard set by the international community,” said Prime Minister Douglas, adding that over the last several months, St. Kitts and Nevis has been actively engaged in ensuring that the Financial Services Sector is properly regulated, properly supervised and thus adhere to international standards. “We have been in intense negotiations with several countries to ensure that the appropriate Tax Information Exchange Agreements between our jurisdiction and other jurisdictions. This is the first Double Taxation Treaty that has been signed,” said Prime Minister Douglas.June - St Kitts & Nevis Registry Takes to the Thames
Nigel Smith and his office staff took to the Thames on Thursday 25th June with just under thirty clients, Lawyers, Bankers and Ship Managers to enjoy a four course meal and drinks to the accompaniment of a look a like Marylyn Monroe singer and a three piece band. Launching from Embankment Pier it cruised up the Thames to Chelsea Bridge and then back towards the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben to Tower Bridge were to the strains of Handel’s Zadok the Priest, the boat performed three 360 degree turns before returning to the Embankment Pier were guests departed home or to the local hostelry to continue their fun evening!April - Sea Asia 2009 - Singapore
We were again represented at Sea Asia in Singapore in April of this year. Ably supported by our Maritime Register from Shiplink Marine Surveys
& Consultancy, Capt Tan and his wife Linda and their staff member Wenya Zhao. This proved to be one of our best exhibitions with a greater
penetration into the market place than before. Our Registrar Nigel E. Smith made many contacts before, during and after the show. We believe
this will lead to an increased level of business, some of which we are already witnessing. Singapore has quickly risen to be one of our leading
outposts with a high quality of vessels including many Newbuildings being registered.
January - Ship Recycling forum in Dubai
SKANReg was one of the sponsors of the Tradewinds organised 1st Ship
Recycling Forum held in Dubai in January.
The event was attended by over 200 delegates and speakers from various sides of the industry debate on Ship Demolition & Recycling gave
presentations.
SKANReg has registered over 150 ships going for recycling, in the last 4 years.
SKANReg has been active in assisting buyers, banks and lawyers involved in purchasing ships for recycling.
It is recognised for its sound Mortgage legislation, which being based on English Law, is known, trusted and respected the world over.
A pragmatic approach to certification where technical issues that are unique to ship recycling are involved, means SKANReg has built a
reputation for a fast, accurate, efficient service, including outside of office hours, for buyers and associated businesses dealing in the ship recycling industry.
2008
October - Sea Trade Middle East
Cadets from the RTS Sinbad the St Kitts & Nevis registered training ship residing in Dubai recently had their passing out parade at
the Sea Trade Middle East Maritime Exhibition in Dubai. Our Ship Registration Executives Jasvinder Virdi and Colin Young were there to
witness the Passing out Parade held in the Exhibition. We were supported by our collegues from Dubai Ms. Ranim E Ibrahim, ISB Dubai
Managing Director
July - The Prime Minister visits London for the 25th Anniversary of Independence Celebrations
The Prime Minister of St Kitts & Nevis, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas visited the offices of St Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry when he was in London recently for the Gala Dinner for Silver Independence organised for UK Nationals by the High Commissioner. Dr. Douglas was briefed on the Operation of the Ship Registry and its current activity and status within the International Shipping Community by International Registrar of Shipping & Seamen Mr. Nigel Smith. Dr. Douglas was accompanied on his visit by The High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. James Williams. Commented Mr Smith “It was an extremely important occasion to have the Prime Minister visit our offices and to be able to show him part of our activity and daily operations. This shows the importance that St Kitts & Nevis Government places on the Ship Registry”.
Dr. Douglas also held meetings with Mr Carlo Cigolini and Mr Nick Dean who are Maritime Registrars for St Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry in respectively Genoa, Italy and Monaco.
The Prime Minister of St Kitts & Nevis, Hon Dr Denzil Douglas meeting Mr Nigel E. Smith the International Registrar of Shipping & Seamen at the London Offices of St Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry.
Guests of the St Kitts & Nevis International registry at the Gala Dinner held at the New Connaught rooms in London in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Independance
International Registrar of Shipping & Seamen, Mr. Nigel Smith accompanied by Registration Executive Ms Jas Virdi and our Maritime Registrar in Greece ISB (Hellas) Ltd (Panos Kirnidis) invites you to join us at stand 541 of the Posidonia exhibition on 2-6 June 2008 at Hellenikon Exhibition Centre, Greece to learn more about this expanding and exciting centre for ship registration, financial services and tourism in the Eastern Caribbean.
Please click on the following link to pre-register for the event http://www.posidonia-events.com/online/register.asp
2007
Neva, St. Petersburg - September 2007
St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry exhibited at the Neva Maritime & Shipping Exhibition in St. Petersburg, Russia, accompanied by our Maritime Registrar ISB Moscow Ltd (Ms. Tatiana Matvievskaya), in September 2007. Our stand was visited by existing Russian ship owning clients who have registered ships with us and we were also able to discuss with other Shipowners the benefits of St. Kitts & Nevis as an International Open Register. During the exhibition our International Registrar of Shipping & Seamen also met with senior management of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS) and officials of the Russian Government.
IMO Marine Accident & Incident Investigation Course
The St. Kitts & Nevis Government was host to a 10 training course on Marine Accident & Incident Investigation recently. Organised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Regional Liaison office for the Caribbean, the course drew participants from 20 Caribbean countries and included 6 senior officials of the Maritime, Coast Guard & Ports Department of St. Kitts & Nevis. The course leaders were Mr. John Laing - Consultants to IMO and Mr. Marcel Ayeko, Chief of Marine Safety Analysis of the Transport Safety Board of Canada. The 33 participants were lead through various investigations of previous marine casualties and incidents including, "the Titanic Sinking", "the Herald of Free Enterprise Capsize", "Scandinavia Star Fire" - to give guidance on the way in which a Government has to investigate casualties and incidents."
Sea Asia, Singapore
We took part in the Sea Asia exhibition in Singapore from 2-4 April 2007 at Suntec City Exhibition Centre. We were accompanied by our Maritime Registrar in Singapore, Shiplink Marine Surveys & Consultancy Pte Ltd (Capt. K L Tan) & our Technical Consultants, International Register of Shipping (IRS). The event was a huge success with over 7,000 visitors who attended during the three days. We received commitments from existing Owners to bring a further 7-10 ships to us within the next 1-2 months. We received visits from shipbrokers and lawyers who are interested in the St. Kitts & Nevis ship mortgage. We were also visited by our Maritime Registrars from Panama, Korea and Thailand. Articles were published about us in the 2nd and 3rd day editions of the show newsletter.
McClean Hobson's Visit to SKANReg, London
The Government's Director of Maritime Affairs, Mr McClean Hobson who is presently studying at Southampton University, England recently visited the offices of St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry to meet staff and see the work of the Ship Registry first hand. Mr Hobson was introduced to staff and shown the daily workings and activities of the Ship Registry. The visit also gave Mr. Smith the opportunity to personally update Mr. Hobson on the most recent activities and plans for the near future.Presentation to Shipping Community in Piraeus, Greece
Our International Registrar of Shipping & Seamen, Mr. Nigel E Smith made a presentation to Ship Owners, Managers and others in the Shipping Community at the Piraeus Marine Club in February 2007. This presentation was made at the invitation of ISB Hellas S.A. our Maritime Registrar in Piraeus. Mr Smith & ISB Hellas Managing Director Mr. Panos Kirnidis were subsequently interviewed by Greek media which have been widely reported in the Greek Shipping Press.2006
Seatrade Middle East Maritime
We took part in the Seatrade Middle East Maritime exhibition in Dubai on 4-6 December 2006. SMEM was a great success and the biggest in the events history. The exhibition was 33% larger than in 2004. We were accompanied by our colleagues St. Kitts Financial Services and supported by our Technical Consultants, International Register of Shipping. Our Maritime Registrar in Dubai, International Shipping Bureau also participated with us.
Maritime Registrar Seminar
Our Biennial Maritime Registrar seminar took place on 28th September 2006. We also received our ISO 9001:2000 Quality Assurance Certificate which was presented to our High Commissioner to the United Kingdom H.E Dr. James Williams by American Bureau of Shipping. Dr James Williams receiving the Quality Assurance Certificate from David Holden, Manager of Certification from American Bureau of Shipping on behalf of St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry.
Gail Stoll from International Shipping Bureau (Dubai) Ltd receiving a Certificate for Highest Number of Ship Registrations 2005-2006.
Capt. Tan from Shiplink Marine Surveyors & Consultancy Pte Ltd, Singapore receiving a certificate for the Highest Number of New Buildings Registered 2005-2006.
Julian Padilla, President of International Register of Shipping receiving a Certificate of Appreciation of the Technical and Consultancy Services Given by International Register of Shipping (IRS) to St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry.
"Which Register, Which Flag" conference and exhibition
We recently co-sponsored "Which Register, Which Flag" a conference and exhibition organised by Lloyds List Events in Singapore.
This picture shows from left to right Capt K L Tan (Maritime Registrar - Singapore), Nigel Smith (International Registrar of Shipping & Seamen), Michelle Lei & David Lei (Maritime Registrar - Taiwan).
Visit to Dubai by International Registrar of Shipping & Seamen
Our International Regisrar of Shipping & Seamen recently visited Dubai where he met some of our ship owner clients and Government Officials. He paid a courtesy call to the cadet training Ship "RTS Sindbad". An initiative by Zambezi Shipping Agencies, this and its sister "RTS Sindbad Nui" have been placed under St. Kitts & Nevis flag. Training of cadets is carried out with educational support from Australian and New Zealand Maritime Institutes. Nigel Smith congratulated Capt. Ajay Kotwal of Zambezi Shipping Agencies for taking this bold initiative to address the problem of seafarer training that the industry faces.Nigel Smith above presenting Capt. Mukund of "RTS Sindbad" with a St.Kitts & Nevis desk flag.
Cadets under instruction.
Nigel Smith with Mr. Salem Ali Al Zaabi, Assistant Under Secretary for Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Communications, United Arab Emirates.