The ownership and registration of high-value mobile assets such as private yachts and corporate aircraft involve a unique set of international legal and administrative complexities. The choice of registry, or 'flag', can have significant implications for the asset's operational flexibility, its tax treatment, and the owner's privacy and liability. Furthermore, the registration process itself is highly detailed, requiring meticulous preparation of ownership and technical documentation to satisfy the stringent requirements of the relevant maritime or aviation authorities.
Zetland Fiduciary Group provides a comprehensive, single-point-of-contact service to help clients navigate this specialist area. We assist clients in structuring the ownership of their assets in a tax-efficient and compliant manner, often utilising a dedicated corporate or trust structure to hold the vessel or aircraft. Our team manages the entire registration process from start to finish. This includes conducting eligibility checks to ensure all requirements of the chosen registry are met, preparing all the necessary legal and administrative documentation, coordinating with surveyors for any required inspections, and managing all submissions and correspondence with the registry authorities.
We also provide ongoing support to ensure the registration remains in good standing, providing a complete and seamless service for these valuable assets. Our goal is to provide a discreet, efficient, and robust solution that simplifies the complexities of registration, allowing our clients to enjoy the use of their assets with full peace of mind.
Hong Kong and Singapore are Asia's premier maritime and aviation hubs, both offering highly respected and efficient registries for private yachts and aircraft. Our teams in both locations provide end-to-end support for the registration process. We begin by advising on the optimal ownership structure, which typically involves the establishment of a local company to act as the legal owner of the asset, thereby satisfying the local ownership requirements of the registries.
We then manage the entire application process. For yacht registration, this includes the reservation of the vessel's name, the submission of the declaration of ownership, and the coordination of the necessary surveys to obtain the certificate of survey and tonnage certificate. For aircraft registration, we manage the detailed application with the respective civil aviation authority, a process which requires extensive documentation relating to the aircraft's airworthiness, insurance, and ownership. A key part of our service is the coordination with technical experts, including surveyors and aviation engineers, to ensure that all inspections are completed and that all technical documentation is in order.
Once the asset is successfully registered, we provide ongoing support. This includes managing the annual renewal of the registration, handling the registration of any mortgages if the asset is financed, and processing any required updates with the registry, such as a change of owner's details. Our deep familiarity with the procedures of the Hong Kong Marine Department, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, and their Singaporean counterparts ensures a smooth and efficient registration process, underpinned by professional and diligent ongoing administration.
Zetland Fiduciary Group operates a global network of offices to support clients across key international financial hubs. Whether you are seeking guidance on company formation, trust administration, accounting, or cross-border transactions, our local experts in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and London are ready to assist.
Contact any of our offices directly for tailored advice and seamless service.