MIN 738 (M+F) Direction Issued Under Section 8(4) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995
Published 4 September 2026
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Introduction and background
The 1993 Regulations set out categories of persons who may qualify to own and register British ships. The EU/EEA Eligibility Category relied on concepts associated with the free movement rights previously available under European Union (EU) law. Following the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) withdrawal from the EU, those rights ceased to have effect in domestic law.
A review of the regulations revealed that the eligibility category was no longer capable of operating as originally intended. The government has therefore taken steps to provide administrative certainty for registrations affected by this issue while amendments to the 1993 Regulations to provide a replacement category are progressed.
The Direction
On 13 July 2026, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Transport, the Hon Keir Mather MP, issued a Direction under section 8(4) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 to the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen.
The Direction requires the registrar to treat persons who relied upon the relevant EU/EEA eligibility category before the date of the Direction (but after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU took effect) as satisfying eligibility requirements for the purposes of registrations already granted and also when those registrations are subsequently renewed.
The Direction applies only to renewals as described above. It does not create a basis upon which future applicants may qualify for registration. New applicants will be able to rely on the future legislative amendment outlined below.
Effect on existing registrations
Owners of vessels whose registrations fall within the scope of the Direction are not required to take any action as a consequence of the Direction. Existing registrations remain valid and renewals will continue to be processed in accordance with the Direction.
The Direction is intended to provide legal certainty and operational continuity while amendments to the 1993 Regulations are completed.
Future legislative amendment
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is progressing amendments to the 1993 Regulations. The amendments will remove reference to obsolete EU free movement concepts and will state with clarity that citizens of EU countries are able to register ships with the UK Ship Register.
More information
UK Ship Register
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Anchor Court
Keen Road
Cardiff
CF24 5JW
Email uksr@mcga.gov.uk
Vessel registration queries +44 3333 990 039
7:30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday
Website: https://www.gov.uk/mca
Please note that all addresses and telephone numbers are correct at time of publishing.