Due to its strategic location at the entrance of the
Western Mediterranean, Gibraltar has historically been a maritime
centre, and has naturally evolved its own portfolio of maritime
services including a Ship Register. The procedures for registering
a ship are simple and efficient, and the current tax regime makes
Gibraltar an attractive venue for registering ships.
Gibraltar was captured in 1704 by the British, and has remained
British since. Gibraltar now enjoys British Dependent Territory
Status, with a measure of self-government in what are termed
"defined domestic matters", with Britain enjoying
responsibility for Gibraltar's foreign affairs. As such,
Gibraltar is part of the EU under Article 227(4) of the Treaty of
Rome, by virtue of Britain's membership, with special
derogations from the Common Agricultural Policy, the Customs Union,
and VAT.
