4.2 The electronic registration rules
The new rules on electronic registration are, first of all, in MC Section 15, where a new paragraph two modifies the paper based registration rules in paragraph one:
“The document can be sent in an electronic form and in accordance with the procedure stated by the Ministry in a regulation. Any requirement regarding the form of writing, in law or contract, does not act to prevent such electronic sending. When sending a document in an electronic form, a safe method that authenticates the sender and secures the integrity of the contents shall be applied. The Ministry will determine by way of a regulation the requirements for electronic communication regarding registration, here follow rules on signing, witness attestation, authentication, integrity, use of electronic certificate and confidentiality and rules on requirements in respect of products, services and standards that are necessary for such communication, and rules on liability for the issuer of certificates.”
However, the 593/1992 Regulation has not been amended, apart from Section 30, that now says:
“In connection with major works of maintenance or system changes the Maritime Directorate may close the reception and registration of electronic and paper based documents during the period considered necessary for the work to be performed. Paper documents which arrive during the period of closure will be considered received at the time when the period of closure ends.
The Maritime Directorate shall inform the users on planned closures, if possible in good time.
In the event of unexpected system interruptions, the Maritime Directorate may close the registration of paper based documents. Electronic documents delivered during the interruption are not considered received at the time of delivery. In case of conflicting legal rights submitted during the period of closure, these are entered into the daily journal at the same time and are of the same standing.”