Shipping Ron Bulling said yesterday.

Total gross weight has moved up by about 100,000 tons to 3.6 million tons since five Peninsular & Oriental (P&O) containerships pushed the register to $3.5 million tons earlier this year.

The number of commercial vessels as of yesterday was 107 compared to 108 in January but up from the 97 vessels, totaling 3.2 million tons, on the register a year ago.

Bermuda-registered yachts numbered 375, down by one from a year ago, while total weight was virtually the same at about 46,000 tons.

"We are quite pleased with the register,'' said Mr. Bulling. And as the world's shipping companies replace ageing ships, the Registrar predicted continued growth over the next 18 months with registrations pending on the commercial and yacht categories, he said.

He also said the level of general inquiries about the Bermuda register were reason for continued optimism.

The register gained a major boost earlier this year with the addition of the P&O containerships, each with total gross weight of about 57,000 tons.

The Bermuda register was founded over 100 years ago as part of the British Register.

Its fee schedule encourages fleet registration as a company's first ship pays both registration and annual tonnage fees while a second ship generates a reduced registration fee as well as annual tonnage fee. Third and subsequent ships owned or managed by the same company pay an annual tonnage fee.

Island registered ships fly the British Merchant Navy's Red Ensign.

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