skeppsägare

Skeppsägare is the Swedish term for the legal owner of a vessel. The skeppsägare can be an individual or a juridical entity such as a shipping company, and ownership may be held solely or shared among several owners or through a corporate structure. In practice, the term distinguishes ownership from other roles in shipping, such as the master, crew, or charterer.

The skeppsägare holds the legal title to the vessel and bears primary responsibility for its maintenance, registration, and financial obligations related to the ship. This includes obtaining necessary insurances, ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and navigation regulations, and paying taxes and port dues. Day-to-day operations are usually handled by a captain and crew, under contract, while the skeppsägare retains ultimate control and accountability for the vessel and its actions.

The relationship to other actors in maritime activity is defined by contracts and regulatory frameworks. A ship may be operated by a rederi (shipping company) or chartered to others, but the skeppsägare remains the owner and carries the principal legal duties related to the vessel. Liability for damages or losses involving the ship is governed by national law and international conventions, and the extent of liability can vary depending on ownership form, insurance arrangements, and applicable jurisdiction.

Historically and in contemporary contexts, the concept of skeppsägare remains central to discussions of maritime ownership in Sweden and Nordic legal traditions, serving to delineate ownership rights from operational responsibilities.