Portugal Celebrates Milestone: 1,000 Vessels Now Registered Under Its Flag!

Milestone for Portugal's Maritime Industry

The International Shipping Register of Madeira (MAR) has officially reached 1,000 registered vessels, marking a significant moment in the expansion of Portugal's maritime presence in Europe.

In just 11 years since the establishment of EUROMAR, nearly 200 shipping companies worldwide have opted for MAR. Albrecht Gundermann, Co-Managing Director and founder of EUROMAR, expressed pride in this achievement:

“The development of the register is excellent. When we started 11 years ago, we had a clear goal in mind: to provide Europe with a reliable, fast and innovative shipping register. The registration of the thousandth ship is a great acknowledgment of our commitment.”
He adds that they are now aiming for 2,000 ships as their next target.

Growth Driven by European Demand

The MAR has predominantly attracted ships that previously sailed under non-European flags. Jörg Molzahn, another Co-Managing Director, highlighted the recent trend among Greek shipowners toward the Madeira Shipping Register, noting Greece's significant influence in the European shipping market.

Commitment to Safety and Sustainability

In 2024, Portuguese-flagged ships have consistently scored high in maritime safety evaluations, such as the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU. Molzahn emphasized the importance of contributing to the sustainability of maritime transport, in partnership with OceanScore, which aids shipping companies in managing processes related to EU ETS and FuelEU.

“The future belongs to safe, climate-neutral, and innovative shipping,” he stated.

The Thousandth Vessel

The milestone vessel, Star Asia, a bulk carrier managed by Chartworld Maritime Management Corporation, changed its flag from the Bahamas to Portugal on December 9 in Singapore. This ship, built in 2017, signifies the growing trust in Portugal's maritime registry.