Cayman Islands Shipping Registry

What Cayman Islands Shipping Registry does

The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR), operating as a division of the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MACI), is a government flag state administration providing vessel registration, survey and certification, and crew documentation services for merchant vessels and yachts. It is a UK Overseas Territory entity and a Category 1 British Register within the Red Ensign Group (alongside UK, Bermuda, Gibraltar, and Isle of Man), authorized to register vessels of any size, type, or age. The registry operates through three Ports of Registry (George Town, The Creek, and Bloody Bay) and maintains a European Regional Office in Southampton, UK, serving a global client base of merchant vessel owners/operators, yacht owners (including superyachts 24m+ and Yacht Engaged in Trade), and seafarers.

The service portfolio is anchored in statutory and convention-based compliance (SOLAS, STCW, MARPOL, ISM, ISPS, MLC) and is delivered through a web-based technology stack. The CISR VOE (Vessel Owner Electronic) subscriber portal, the CIRIS (Cayman Islands Registry Information System) advice platform, and online tools for vessel name reservation, transcripts, crew verification, statutory certificate verification, and invoice payment form the digital backbone. The registry also sells physical compliance products (Official Log Book, Oil Record Book, Garbage Record Book, GMDSS Log Book, Cargo Record Book, LAP Manual) and offers Maritime Administration Consultancy to other jurisdictions.

Revenue is generated through one-time and recurring vessel/mortgage registration fees, professional survey and audit certification fees, crew documentation processing fees, and product sales, with publicly published fee matrices (e.g., CISN 04/2026 and CISN 05/2026). As a government state entity rather than a commercial enterprise, CISR is not privately held and does not raise external funding; it operates within the Cayman Islands Government framework and the Red Ensign Group's shared maritime standards.

Name

Cayman Islands Shipping Registry

Legal name

Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MACI)

Website

https://cishipping.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (MACI) is a UK Overseas Territory flag state administration that provides vessel registration, survey/certification, and crew documentation services to merchant vessel owners, yacht owners, and seafarers worldwide through three Ports of Registry and a European Regional Office.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Registry Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Classification Society & Flag-State Liaison / Plan Approval Support (IMAJAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

ISPS Code Compliance & Port Facility Security Assessments (PFSA/PFSP) (TLAHANAA), Ship & Port Security Audits, Inspections & Certification (Flag/Class/PSC Support) (TLAHANAD), Maritime Security Risk Assessments & Audits (BPAKALAF)

Keywords

• Vessel registration services
• Maritime flag registry
• Ship survey certification
• Crew documentation services
• Yacht registration services

Headquarters

HQ city

George Town

HQ country

Cayman Islands

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Vessel Registration Fees: Registration and mortgage registration services for merchant vessels and yachts at three Ports of Registry: George Town, The Creek, and Bloody Bay. Revenue generated through one-time and recurring registration fees based on vessel type and tonnage.
2. Survey and Certification Services: Statutory survey, audit, and certification services for vessel compliance including ISM Code, ISPS Code, and MLC compliance. Revenue from inspection and certification fees.
3. Crew Documentation: Seafarer documentation services including discharge books, endorsements, and employment agreements. Revenue from documentation processing fees.
4. Product Sales: Sale of official log books ($50.00), oil record books, garbage record books, GMDSS log books, and maritime law/procedure manuals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR), operating as a division of the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MACI), is a flag state registry that provides vessel and mortgage registration, statutory survey and audit certification (ISM, ISPS, MLC compliance), maritime security services, and crew/seafarer documentation for merchant vessels and yachts. It operates through three Ports of Registry (George Town, The Creek, Bloody Bay) and distributes physical maritime products such as Official Log Books and Oil Record Books.

Product overview

The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR), operating as a division of the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MACI), offers a comprehensive maritime registration and certification service. The core offerings include Merchant Services and Yacht Services for vessel and mortgage registration through three Ports of Registry (George Town, The Creek, and Bloody Bay). Online Services provide digital access to vessel name reservation, transcript purchases, crew verification, certificate verification, and invoice payment. Supporting services include Maritime Security (ISPS Code), Survey and Audit Certifications, and Crew Documentation. The registry also offers Maritime Administration Consultancy services and sells official maritime documentation products including Official Log Books, Oil Record Books, Garbage Record Books, GMDSS Log Books, and Law and Administrative Procedures Manuals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Merchant Vessel and Mortgage Registration

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Red Ensign Group (REG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCategory 1 British Register member alongside UK, Bermuda, Gibraltar, and Isle of Man. REG members may register vessels of any size, type, or age. Annual meetings held in member countries with shared maritime standards and practices.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN agency setting global shipping standards. Cayman Islands Shipping Registry operates under international conventions including SOLAS, STCW, MARPOL, and UNCLOS adopted by the IMO.
• Port State Control (PSC) RegimescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCayman participates in Port State Control inspections allowing contracting governments to inspect ships for convention compliance. Registry maintains compliance standards to pass PSC inspections globally.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Liberian Registry (LISCR): Manages the Liberian ship registry, one of the largest open registries globally, offering vessel registration, technical services, and seafarer documentation. Directly comparable as a competing flag state for international merchant tonnage.
• Bermuda Shipping Registry: Another Red Ensign Group Category 1 British Register serving as a flag state for international merchant vessels and yachts. Comparable across REG membership, regulatory framework, and target customer base of quality-focused shipowners.
• Bahamas Maritime Authority: Administers the Bahamas ship registry offering vessel registration, seafarer certification, and compliance services for international shipping. Comparable as a competing Caribbean flag state with similar tax-neutral jurisdiction appeal.
• Isle of Man Ship Registry: Fellow Red Ensign Group Category 1 British Register offering vessel registration and survey services. Most direct structural peer given shared REG membership, Category 1 status, and similar British maritime law framework.
• Gibraltar Maritime Administration: Fellow Red Ensign Group member operating as a British flag state registry. Comparable across shared REG Category 1 status, British maritime legal framework, and competing for international tonnage registration.
• Marshall Islands Maritime Registry (IRI): Operates one of the world's largest open ship registries offering vessel registration, mortgage recording, and seafarer documentation globally. Directly comparable as a flag-state competitor competing for the same merchant and yacht tonnage, particularly in the open-registry segment.
• Malta Maritime Authority: Operates one of Europe's largest ship registries offering vessel registration, flag services, and seafarer documentation under the EU framework. Comparable as a competing flag state registry serving international merchant tonnage and yacht owners.
• Panama Maritime Authority: Administers the world's largest ship registry by tonnage, providing vessel registration, flag services, and seafarer documentation. A direct competitor in the open-registry commercial vessel segment with significant price-based competition.

Broad incumbents

• UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA): Lead maritime regulatory authority for the UK and parent framework for the Red Ensign Group. Comparable as the senior regulator setting the standards CISR operates under and as a broader incumbent offering flag state services directly.

Others

• DNV (Maritime Classification): Major classification society providing vessel surveys, certification, and statutory services. Adjacent/complementary to CISR's own audit capability, particularly in jurisdictions where CISR authorises classification societies for exceptional audits.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CaymanIslandsShippingRegistry
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cayman-islands-shipping-registry

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cayman Islands Shipping Registry