Authorization/Permit: Temporary permit for interior navigation and cabotage for foreign vessels - oil, chemical, gas and passage vessels
General Description
  • In order for a foreign vessel to navigate and perform cabotage in Mexican sea waters, this permit is required.
Responsible Authority Resolution Term
  • Merchant Maritime General Office
  • 10 business days. (The authority has 5 business days to request additional information)
Permit Term
  • The permit term is of 90 calendar days, which may be renewed 7 additional times for the same period.

Authorization/Permit: Temporary permit for interior navigation and cabotage for foreign vessels – other vessels
General Description
  • In order for a foreign vessel to navigate and perform cabotage in Mexican sea waters, this permit is required.
Responsible Authority Resolution Term
  • Merchant Maritime General Office
  • 10 business days. (The authority has 5 business days to request additional information)
Permit Term
  • The permit term is of 90 calendar days, which may be renewed 7 additional times for the same period.

Authorization/Permit: Authorization to remain in Mexican waters for a foreign naval craft
General Description
  • In order for a foreign naval craft to remain in Mexican waters it requires an authorization issued for such purposes.
Responsible Authority Resolution Term
  • Merchant Maritime General Office
  • 10 business days. (The authority has 5 business days to request additional information)
Permit Term
  • The permit term is of 90 calendar days, which may be renewed 7 additional times for the same period.

Authorization/Permit: Registry of legal acts before the National Maritime Public Registry – registry of a shipping company, shipping agent or operator.
General Description
  • In order to operate in Mexico, shipping companies, shipping agents and operators must be registered before the National Maritime Public Registry.
Responsible Authority Resolution Term
  • Merchant Maritime General Office
  • For shipping companies: 15 business days.
  • For shipping agents: 10 business days.
  • For operators: 2 business days.
Permit Term
  • Indefinite.

Authorization/Permit: Registry of legal acts before the National Maritime Public Registry – registry of legal acts related to vessels or naval crafts, maritime commerce or harbor activities.
General Description
  • Any agreement or legal act related to vessels or naval crafts, maritime commerce or harbor activities must be registered before the National Maritime Public Registry.
Responsible Authority Resolution Term
  • Merchant Maritime General Office
  • 2 business days. (The authority has a 1 day period to request additional information)
Permit Term
  • Indefinite.

Authorization/Permit: Registration certificate (matrícula) for vessels and naval crafts
General Description
  • All foreign naval vessels that intend to obtain the Mexican Flag must previously obtain the registration certificate.
Responsible Authority Resolution Term
  • Merchant Maritime General Office
  • 25 business days. (The authority has a 5 day period to request additional information)
Permit Term
  • Indefinite.

Authorization/Permit: Procedure to obtain the Mexican flag (vessels or naval craft)
General Description
  • In order for a vessel or naval craft to hoist the national flag and be considered Mexican, the owner or legal possessor of a vessel or naval craft needs to obtain from the maritime authority a declaration for such purposes.
Responsible Authority Resolution Term
  • Merchant Maritime General Office
  • 20 business days. (The authority has a 7 business day period to request additional information)
Permit Term
  • Indefinite.

Authorization/Permit: Temporary mooring authorization for a vessel
General Description
  • Vessels that need to remain in port or in the coast without performing any commercial activity require a temporary mooring authorization.
Responsible Authority Resolution Term
  • Merchant Maritime General Office
  • 20 business days. (The authority has a 7 business day period to request additional information)
Permit Term
  • 30 business days, with one possible additional extension.

Authorization/Permit: Vessels and naval craft's arrival authorization
General Description
  • In order to arrive at a Mexican port or coast, vessels and naval crafts require an arrival authorization.
Responsible Authority Resolution Term
  • Merchant Maritime General Office
  • 1 calendar day. (The authority has a 1 calendar day period to request additional information)
Permit Term
  • The date of arrival to the Mexican port or coast.

Authorization/Permit: Mexican Ship Security Officer Certificate (OPB)
General Description
  • Certification and official validity to the specialized courses carried out by any person aiming to perform the corresponding activities for the training obtained.
Responsible Authority Resolution Term
  • Merchant Maritime General Office
  • 15 business days.
Permit Term
  • 5 years.