Plans to develop the shipping register in Jersey have taken a step forward following the recent Red Ensign Conference.
The limit on the size of commercial craft that can be registered in the island has been increased from 150 gross tonnes to 400 beginning in 2013.
News that means the island is able to register commercial superyachts unto that tonnage for the first time.
Currently, more than 2,000 ships are registered in Jersey and demand is growing.
Last year 126 new vessels were registered to fly the flag of Jersey.
Senator Alan Maclean, Jersey’s Minister for Economic Development, said “We can be very pleased with this progress. We took a strong delegation to the Conference and came back with very positive results. I think the whole shipping industry in Jersey will benefit especially from the opportunity to register commercial superyachts.”