Only Colombian nationals can own a commercial vessel registered under the Colombian flag. Cabotage services can only be provided by authorised Colombian shipping companies through Colombian-flagged vessels. Foreign-flagged vessels, chartered by authorised Colombian shipping companies, can exceptionally perform cabotage only when no other Colombian-flagged vessel is available and prior to authorisation from the Colombian Maritime Authority (DIMAR).
"ARTICLE 1437. NATIONALITY OF VESSELS REGISTERED IN COLOMBIA.
Every ship registered in Colombia is of Colombian nationality and, therefore, must fly the Colombian flag.
[...]
ARTICLE 1458. OWNERS OF THE COMMERCIAL VESSEL REGISTERED IN COLOMBIA.
Only Colombian nationals can own a commercial vessel registered in Colombia.[...]" (Decree no. 410 issuing the Commercial Code (27 March 1971), last amended by Law no. 2069 of 2020, Articles 1437 and 1458 [google translation])
---------------------------
"Article 2.2.3.1.4. General principles.
The public maritime transport service will be provided under the principles of efficiency, equality, continuity and security.
The public service of international maritime transport of general cargo will be provided by Colombian and foreign companies legally constituted in accordance with the current regulations of the country of origin, authorized and with an operating permit.
Colombian companies that provide public service of international maritime transport of bulk cargo must be authorized and with an operating permit.
The public cabotage maritime transport service will be provided by Colombian companies, constituted in accordance with national provisions, duly authorized and with an operating permit, using Colombian-flagged vessels, without prejudice to the provisions of this Chapter.
[...]
Article 2.2.3.1.2.4. Conditions for Colombian companies.
To be a national maritime transport company for international public service or cabotage, in addition to the requirements of this Chapter, you must meet any of the following conditions: 
International transport: 
1. To be the owner of at least one Colombian flag vessel that is suitable for the service it intends to provide. 
2. To be the owner of at least one foreign flag ship, which may be kept under that flag. 
3. Being the lessee of a Colombian or foreign flag ship. 
Cabotage Transportation: 
Be the owner or lessee of at least one Colombian flag vessel, suitable for the service it intends to provide. 
Paragraph 1. The lease must be bareboat and in both international and cabotage cases, it must have a minimum duration of six (6) months, extendable for equal or greater periods, of which a copy must be submitted for registration, if applicable. In a language other than Spanish, the respective translation will be attached. 
Paragraph 2. When the ship is of the Colombian flag, the current Colombian legislation must be complied with, in relation to the nationality of the captain, officers and crew.
[...]
Article 2.2.3.1.4.2. Cabotage service.
The maritime transport companies of public cabotage service may lease or charter ships or naval artifacts of foreign flag for specific trips, directly or through a charter broker licensed by the DIMAR, for the service that they have authorized, when not exist with the Colombian flag with the required capacity and aptitude, which must be verified by DIMAR, prior to the issuance of the respective authorization. 
Article 2.2.3.1.4.3. Users.
When a user demonstrates to DIMAR that the security, availability, technical and time conditions of the Colombian flag vessels offered by national cabotage companies and by national companies that provide international cabotage services, authorized and with permission of operation, they are not suitable, nor are they available for the service that is required, you can charter or lease directly, or through a charter broker licensed by DIMAR, ships or naval artifacts of foreign flag, for certain trips, for the mobilization of their own loads. 
Paragraph. In order to comply with the provisions of this article, DIMAR must have updated at all times, on the website of its Entity, all the information of the cabotage maritime transport companies, authorized and with operating permission, as well as the technical information on existing Colombian-flagged ships, which allow the user to establish if there is a suitable ship, to mobilize the cargo that is intended to be transported. 
If, based on said information, the user establishes that there is no suitable Colombian flag vessel, nor is it available to transport the cargo under the required conditions, they will consult in writing the maritime transport companies of public cabotage service that are authorized and with operating permit, so that they can state if, in their opinion, they have a Colombian ship suitable for the service or if, failing that, they can provide it with a foreign flag ship. These companies will have one (1) business day to respond to the user about their request. After this period without having spoken, it will be understood that they are not interested in providing the service. 
After the period indicated in the previous paragraph, the user may go out to hire a foreign ship, operated by a foreign or Colombian international maritime transport company, authorized by DIMAR, in accordance with the conditions required for the service. 
The authorization request submitted by the user for the chartering of the ship or naval device of a foreign flag, must comply with the provisions of article 2.2.3.1.4.5 of this decree.[...]" (Decree no. 1079 regulating the Transport Sector (26 May 2015), last amended by DECREE 478 of 2021, Articles 2.2.3.1.4, 2.2.3.1.2.4, 2.2.3.1.4.2 and 2.2.3.1.4.3 [google translation])
Decree no. 410 issuing the Commercial Code (27 March 1971), last amended by Law no. 2069 of 2020, Articles 1437 and 1458
Decree no. 1079 regulating the Transport Sector (26 May 2015), last amended by DECREE 478 of 2021, Articles 2.2.3.1.4, 2.2.3.1.2.4, 2.2.3.1.4.2 and 2.2.3.1.4.3
[<a href="https://www.alcaldiabogota.gov.co/sisjur/normas/Norma1.jsp?i=41102">Code</a>],[<a href="http://www.suin-juriscol.gov.co/viewDocument.asp?id=30019520#ver_30036960">Decree</a>]