Landlocked Kyrgyzstan readies ship registry
Some 2,600 km from the nearest sea, the Central Asian nation has passed its first Merchant Shipping Code, with Bishkek as port of registry.
Landlocked Kyrgyzstan's nearest sea access is some 2,600 km away, and the Central Asian nation is far better known for its mountains, nomadic culture, Lake Issyk-Kul and Silk Road heritage than for shipping. That could be about to change.
The country's parliament has passed its first Merchant Shipping Code at third reading, creating the legal basis for a national ship registry and a Kyrgyz-flagged merchant fleet. Vessels accepted onto the register will list Bishkek as their port of registry.
The registry will be overseen through a new maritime administration and a national operator. Local media reported in April that a private company called Maritime Register had been selected as national operator of the Kyrgyz Republic's maritime register, with responsibilities spanning vessel registration, certification and compliance with international maritime standards.
Kyrgyzstan is not the first landlocked state to pursue a registry. Mongolia has run one for years and joined the IMO in 1996, while San Marino opened its register to international owners in 2021.
