Vessel registration in Russia is performed only by government institutions. The vessel can be registered in the State Registry of Ships, the bareboat charter registry, the Russian Maritime Registry of Shipping or in the ship’s book depending on its type. The registration order also varies. Thus, small boats are registered by the State Inspection of Small Vehicles (SISV).

One of the issues which for a long time hindered development of the Russian commercial fleet was weak framework of the laws applicable in the area of vessel registration, and, consequently, evident disadvantage of running under the Russian flag. Today, this issue is solved in a great measure, however, registration in the countries of the flag of convenience is still rather widespread. And there are offshore jurisdictions where a ship can be registered under its own flag (Belize, for example), while others are protected states (Bermuda Islands). In all these cases, there are doubtless strong and weak points.

Classification of marine vessels means awarding a certain category (Registry class) in accordance with its nomination and construction features Surveillance authorities control conformity with the category and change it, if necessary. These are different organizations in each case. For example, small catching vessels engaged in fishery and some other ships are classified by the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Fishery.