NATIONAL SHIP REGISTRY

Regulated in the law no. 6102 (ex. 6762), namely “Turkish Commercial Law” and “Ship Registry Directive”.
The National Ship Registry is kept in the presence of Harbor Master’s considered as suitable by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.  The Ship Registry Offices established in each of the Trabzon, Samsun, Zonguldak, İstanbul, Bandırma, Çanakkale, İzmir, Antalya, Mersin and İskenderun Harbor Master Offices.
For registry offices and associated ports, see. (Link)
Ship registers are kept under the supervision of the commercial court. These courts are authorized to hear objections against the decisions of the registry offices. Objection against the decisions made by the registry offices can be raised to the court in charge within 8 days.
Ships that can be registered;
It is mandatory to register merchant ships of 18 gross tonnages and above, which have the right to fly the Turkish flag. If these vessels are registered in the Turkish International Ship Registry, they do not have to be registered in the National Ship Registry.
Yachts, recreational crafts, education and training vessels, vessels used for sport, scientific research vessels, seafarer training vessels, and merchant ships under 18 gross tons may be registered on demand.
There are two conditions for registration in the Turkish Ship Registry.
1) To have the right to fly the Turkish flag. (article 940)
2) Currently not registered in the register of a foreign state (article 962)

Right to fly the Turkish flag
According to Article 940 of the Turkish Commercial Code;
• If the owner of the ship is a real person, he must be a Turkish citizen.
• If the owner of the ship is more than one person; provided that
-In case of shared ownership, the majority of the shares,
-In case of co-ownership, the majority of the owners are Turkish citizens, the vessel is considered as Turkish.
• The ship-owner companies should organize their partnership structure all, or at least 51% Turkish. The ship-owner Company (or charity) should meet following two criteria:
(i)    For the charities the majority (at least 51%) of the persons assigned as the members of the board of directors should be Turkish
(ii)    For the Turkish companies the majority (at least 51%) of the persons who are authorized to manage the company should be Turkish citizens, and majority of the shares should be owned by Turkish citizens and moreover the transfer of the shares to a foreigner should be depending on the board of directors, in the Articles of Association of the company.