About Permit To Operate

A permit to operate is issued to a ship which is not registered as a Gambian ship but wishes to engage in local trade. The Permit allows the ship to trade in Gambian waters for the stipulated period in the Permit. The owner of a ship who wishes to apply for a Permit to Operate shall submit to the Registrar the applicable documents.

The ship shall be surveyed by the Administration to ensure that it complies with the requirements of the Gambian law with respect to maritime safety, security and protection of the marine pollution. Ships that fulfill the requirements of the law shall be issued a Local Trade Certificate (Permit to Operate) for the period during which they can trade locally.

The owner, agent or master of a non-Gambian ship who engages in local trade without a valid Local Trade Certificate shall be guilty of an offence and shall on summary of conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding two million Dalasis.

GMA reserves the right to cancel a Local Trade Certificate in circumstances where it is satisfied that the ship’s operation in the country would be detrimental to the interest of The Gambia.

Only Gambian seafarers shall serve on board a ship that is engaged in Local Trade. A ship owner, agent or master who wishes to employ a non-Gambian on board a ship that is engaged in Local Trade, shall apply by writing to the Administration for an exemption, and the Administration may grant exemptions subject to conditions that it deems fit and such exemption shall not exceed twelve months. Employing a non-Gambian seafarer on board a ship that is issued a Local Trade Certificate (Permit to Operate) without the requisite exemption will attract a fine of up to 2 million dalasis upon conviction.

Where the Administration is satisfied that a Local Trade Certificate is required for a single voyage only it may reduce the fees payable by one half.

Relevant Documents to be submitted with the form are as follows:

1. Certificate of Registry;
2. Tonnage Certificate;
3. Load Line Certificate (Not applicable to Fishing Vessels);
4. Safety Certificates;
5. IOPP Certificate (Not applicable to Fishing vessels);
6. Crew list and appropriate certificates of Competency;
7. Evidence of Financial responsibility against risk of damage to the third parties (P&I Insurance); and
8. Others.