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Weather in Malta

15.3°C broken clouds

broken clouds

Time Zones:

New York

Malta

Shanghai

" Serving the world...

...from Malta "

Ship Registration

Bareboat Charter In Registration

Bareboat Charter In Registration:

The Bareboat Charter Agreement is defined by the Maltese Merchant Shipping Act to be “the contract for the lease or sub-lease of a ship, hereinafter referred to as charter, for a stipulated period of time, by virtue of which the charterer shall acquire full control and complete possession of the ship, including the right to appoint her master and crew for the duration of the charter but excluding the right to sell or mortgage the ship.”

According to Section 84A (1) of the Merchant Shipping Act: 

  • “compatible registry” means a ship registry of a foreign State declared by the Minister to be a compatible registry in terms of section 84B of the Act; 
  •  “underlying registry” means the registry of the State in which the owners of a ship are registered as owners and to which jurisdiction and control will revert upon termination of the bareboat charter registration. 

In accordance with S.84C(1)(c) of the Maltese Merchant Shipping Act, the Vessel to be registered in the name of her Bareboat Charterers, must not be registered in another Bareboat Charter Registry.

Moreover, a vessel is eligible for registration under Bareboat Charter Registration in Malta, provided:

1.the underlying registry is a compatible registry.

2.it is the policy of the local authorities not to register vessels of 25 years and over. Furthermore, if the Vessel to be registered is over fifteen (15) years of age, then, in order to register her, the conditions stipulated by the Maltese regulations for registration of such Vessels in the ownership of a Maltese company must be complied with. (Please click here for further explanation)

PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION

In order to effect the provisional registration, the following documents are required:

  • Evidence of the Vessel’s Seaworthiness:

This is done by means of a fax message from the vessel’s classification society direct to the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority) on email address mershipmalta.tm@transport.gov.mt with a copy to us on maritimeservices@gmint.com. The class should confirm:

  • Vessel is in class and class notation;
  • Vessel is double hull (applicable to newly built tankers);
  • List of statutory certificates issued to the vessel and their respective expiry date;
  • List of any recommendations, exemptions, equivalents, alternatives or any other deviations from requirements that have been approved/accepted by the previous flag or by the recognized organization for and on behalf of the previous flag; and
  • Undertaking that they are prepared to survey/audit/verify the vessel and issue the applicable statutory certificates on behalf of the Government of Malta.

The present recognised and authorised Classification Societies by the Maltese authorities are listed below. If the vessel’s classification is not among any of the ones listed below, then this should be changed upon registration.

  • American Bureau of Shipping
  • Bureau Veritas
  • China Classification Society
  • Croatian Register of Shipping
  • Class NK
  • DNV-GL
  • Korean Register of Shipping
  • Lloyd’s Register
  • Polish Register of Shipping
  • RINA
  • Russian Maritime Register of Shipping
  • IOPP Certificate:

In the case of tankers, a copy of the IOPP certificate including the supplement identifying the vessel as Double is required.

  • Declaration addressed to the MSD (formerly MMA) duly signed by the new Managers confirming that there is no Halon on board the vessel.
  • Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney unless we are authorized through the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company (if Maltese Company) or through the Declaration of Resident Agent (if Foreign Body Entity).

  • Consents

The Consent in writing for the Vessel to be registered in the name of her Bareboat Charterers in Malta from:

a. The Authorities of the underlying registry who are also required to declare that during the registration in the name of her Charterers, the Vessel will not be entitled to fly their flag.

b. The owners of the vessel. 

c. Any registered Mortgagees.

If the vessel will change her name, the above entities should also consent to the change of name. Signatures of the consents should be notarised and the notary’s signature legalised. In case of body corporates, the notary should state that the person/s signing is/are authorised to sign by his/her/their sole signature. 

  • Certificate of Ownership and Encumbrances

A recent Certificate of Ownership and Encumbrances (i.e. Transcript or extract of the underlying Registry) which must include a description (the details) of the Vessel. 

  • Bareboat Charter Party Agreement

A copy of the Bareboat Charter Party Agreement is required.

Please complete the application form containing information on the vessel.

It is advisable to apply for the reservation of the vessel’s name prior to registration.  The name may be reserved for a period of 3 months upon payment of the relevant fee.  Your request in this regard would be required.

  • Copy of the present Anti-fouling Certificate
  • Encumbrances:

    Please advise whether the vessel is being sold free from encumbrances or otherwise.
  • Tonnage Certificate:

A copy of the International Tonnage Certificate.

  • ISM CODE: Document of Compliance and ISM Code Declaration

a) Document of Compliance

A copy of Document of Compliance is needed. 

b) ISM Code Declaration – SOLAS Chapter IX (ISM Code) 

Kindly note that a declaration in accordance to section 1.1.2. of SOLAS Chapter IX, (ISM Code) is required to be filed at MSD (formerly MMA) as per the procedure stated in Technical Notice SL26. Once stamped, this should be kept on board the vessel together with the other certificates. Please complete the application in order to make the necessary arrangements to file the said Declaration.

  • Click here for specimen for Maltese Chartering Company
  • Click here for specimen for Foreign Chartering Entity
  • LRIT conformance test report duly issued by a recognised Authorised Testing Application Service Provider (testing ASPs). A list of the approved Testing ASPs is found in MSD Notice No.78.
  • DMLC application duly completed for the issuance of the DMLC Part I.
  • Radio Licence:-
    A provisional radio licence is issued for a period of six months from the date of provisional registration.  In order to enable us to apply for same we require the AAIC and PSA Code numbers together with the GMDSS Sea Area of Trading (i.e. A1, A2, A3 and A4) and full details of the Emergency Contact Person ashore.  
  • Safe Manning Certificate:- 
    Refer to Information Sheet Number 107
    The completion of the related application form. This certificate is issued for a period of five years and will be renewed upon receipt of yet another Application Form. This will cease to be valid in the event of any change in equipment, construction or use of the ship which effect the stipulated manning and on closure of registry. 
  • Civil Liability Convention (CLC) Certificate:
    The CLC certificate is essential but applies only to Tankers. The blue card, issued by the P & I Club and addressed to the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority), is required for the issuance of the CLC Certificate.
  • Bunker Convention Certificate:
    The Bunker certificate is mandatory for all vessels.  The bunker card, issued by the P & I Club and addressed to the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority), is required for the issuance of the Bunker Convention Certificate.
  • Vessel Registration Fees
  • Specific Instructions to Register:

Your final written specific instructions to us are required once all the above requisites are in hand in order that we may proceed and register the vessel under the Malta Flag.

It is important to note that if registration of the vessel takes place prior to delivery, then registration may be declared null and void. In such situations and where mortgages are involved, bankers may request re-registration, thus incurring registration fees all over again. It is thus important that the registration of the vessel takes place only when the owners have full title of the ship.

Upon provisional registration of the vessel under the Malta flag the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority) authorises the vessel’s classification society to issue all certificates on behalf of the Malta Government in order that the necessary surveys may be undertaken.  Furthermore, a non-operational provisional certificate is issued and the following documents are required in order to proceed with the issuance and release of the operational provisional certificate: -

1. A confirmation from vessel’s classification society stating the validity of the statutory certificates issued on behalf of the Malta Government, unless the confirmation received prior to registration would have been in order.

2. A copy of the interim Safety Management Certificate under the new name and on behalf of the Malta Government.

3. In the case of tankers, a copy of the Blue card is required for the issuance of the CLC Certificate.

4. A copy of the International Ship Security Certificate.

5. A copy of the Anti-fouling certificate under the new name and on behalf of the Malta Government.

6. A copy of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) certificate

Within 3 months from provisional registration under the Malta flag, please supply us with a copy of all the previous Continuous Synopsis Records (CSR) issued together with the CSR deletion from the previous flag, in order to enable MSD (formerly MMA) to proceed with the issuance of the new CSR issued on behalf of the Malta Government.  Meanwhile a copy of the CSR forms (2 and 3) are required to be completed and stamped by the master and kept on board the vessel until the new CSR from MMA is issued.

 

PERMANENT REGISTRATION

The provisional registration is initially valid for six (6) months and may be extended for another maximum period of six (6) months.

In order to affect the permanent registration, the following documents are required:

1. Ship’s Carving and Marking Note (within one month). This is issued by the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority) upon provisional registration and should be endorsed by a recognised surveyor or a Maltese Consul.  If the net tonnage on the 1969 International Tonnage Certificate issued on behalf of the Maltese Government (item 3 below) is different from the net tonnage of the previous International Tonnage Certificate, then a new Ship’s Carving and Marking Note with correct NT is issued and required to be completed (within six months). 

2. Original Certificate of Survey (within six months), issued on behalf of the Malta Government. 

3. Copy of the International Tonnage (1969) Certificate (within six months) issued on behalf of the Malta Government. 

4. Confirmation from the vessel’s classification society to the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority) of the vessel’s Statutory Certificates issued on behalf of the Maltese Government, duly valid (upon their issuance).

5. Copies of valid ISM Certificates (i.e. Document of Compliance, Safety Management Certificate and International Ship’s Security Certificate) unless these are not already in possession of the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority).

6. A valid copy of the Maritime Labour Certificate. 

7. The return of the Provisional Certificate for the release of the Permanent one. The procedure which is generally followed is for the managers to send an undertaking letter addressed to the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority) to return the Provisional Certificate within one month of the release of the permanent one; thus the ship will always hold an original certificate on board. The original Provisional Certificate should be returned on receipt of the Permanent Certificate.

Upon receipt of the above documents, we may apply for Permanent registration and a Certificate of Registry is issued to this effect, provided that the five statutory certificates, the Document of Compliance (DOC), the Safety Management Certificate (SMC) and the International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) are valid.

This Certificate carries a date of expiry which coincides with the annual fees’ due date; thus renewal is affected by payment of annual fees provided all statutory certificates and the documents mentioned in the above paragraph are valid. Therefore it is important for the vessel’s classification society to update the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority) of any extensions, renewals or issuance of certificates at all times.

Although not enforced as one of the requisites for Permanent registration, the vessel is also to submit copies of valid Maltese Ship’s Agreement and List of the Crew for as long as she remains registered under the Malta Flag.

As per S.84f (G) of the Maltese Merchant Shipping Act, the duration of the Charter-in registration shall be for a period not exceeding the duration of the Bareboat Charter or the expiry date of the present registry (if any) whichever is shorter but in no case for a period not exceeding two (2) years.

The certificate of registry is renewable every year by paying the annual fees and submitting the relevant documentation as usual. On expiry of duration of the bare boat charter (as per above paragraph) the following are required :-

  1. Addendum to the Charter Party Agreement
  2. Consent from underlying registry
  3. A Transcript of Register from underlying registry
  4. Consent of the mortgagee (if applicable)

The following enhancements related to the procedure for the bareboat charter registration of a vessel under Part IIA of the Merchant Shipping Act and its renewal were introduced by the Merchant Shipping Directorate. The rationale behind these enhancements is to streamline the process of registration and the documentation required for the registration and its renewal, and to harmonize the expiry dates of (i) the Certificate of Malta Bareboat Charter Registry and (ii) the Radio License:

1. A bareboat charter agreement between the registered owner (in the underlying registry) and the bareboat charterer may be valid for more than 2 years.

2. The consent of the owners and the registered mortgagees may also include a provision for the charterer to apply for any further extensions in the future without the need to produce a specific consent every two years. Such consents may also include the consent for any changes in the name of the vessel requested by the bareboat charterer in the future. The owners and the mortgagees may also state that they reserve the right to withdraw their consent at any time and to inform the Administration accordingly.

3. If so requested, instead of being notarized, the signatures of the consents may be certified by a lawyer.

4. The certification of the signature of the notary/lawyer by Apostille may be replaced by a certification by a Maltese Consul.

5.Provided that the bareboat charter agreement cover the period, the Certificate of Malta Bareboat Charter Registry may be issued for a period of two years in accordance with the expiry date of the consent of the underlying registry. It is important to note however, that the annual fee shall be payable in accordance with the requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act, i.e., on an annual basis. Failure to pay the applicable annual fee may lead to the suspension of the Certificate of Malta Bareboat Charter Registry and to initiate the process of cancelling the vessel from the bareboat charter registry.

6. With regards to the Ship Station License, the bareboat charterers may opt to apply for a Radio Station Licence valid for a period of two years to coincide with the expiry date of the Certificate of Malta Bareboat Charter Registry.

Ship Registration

Bareboat Charter In Registration

Bareboat Charter In Registration:

The Bareboat Charter Agreement is defined by the Maltese Merchant Shipping Act to be “the contract for the lease or sub-lease of a ship, hereinafter referred to as charter, for a stipulated period of time, by virtue of which the charterer shall acquire full control and complete possession of the ship, including the right to appoint her master and crew for the duration of the charter but excluding the right to sell or mortgage the ship.”

According to Section 84A (1) of the Merchant Shipping Act: 

  • “compatible registry” means a ship registry of a foreign State declared by the Minister to be a compatible registry in terms of section 84B of the Act; 
  •  “underlying registry” means the registry of the State in which the owners of a ship are registered as owners and to which jurisdiction and control will revert upon termination of the bareboat charter registration. 

In accordance with S.84C(1)(c) of the Maltese Merchant Shipping Act, the Vessel to be registered in the name of her Bareboat Charterers, must not be registered in another Bareboat Charter Registry.

Moreover, a vessel is eligible for registration under Bareboat Charter Registration in Malta, provided:

1.the underlying registry is a compatible registry.

2.it is the policy of the local authorities not to register vessels of 25 years and over. Furthermore, if the Vessel to be registered is over fifteen (15) years of age, then, in order to register her, the conditions stipulated by the Maltese regulations for registration of such Vessels in the ownership of a Maltese company must be complied with. (Please click here for further explanation)

PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION

In order to effect the provisional registration, the following documents are required:

  • Evidence of the Vessel’s Seaworthiness:

This is done by means of a fax message from the vessel’s classification society direct to the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority) on email address mershipmalta.tm@transport.gov.mt with a copy to us on maritimeservices@gmint.com. The class should confirm:

  • Vessel is in class and class notation;
  • Vessel is double hull (applicable to newly built tankers);
  • List of statutory certificates issued to the vessel and their respective expiry date;
  • List of any recommendations, exemptions, equivalents, alternatives or any other deviations from requirements that have been approved/accepted by the previous flag or by the recognized organization for and on behalf of the previous flag; and
  • Undertaking that they are prepared to survey/audit/verify the vessel and issue the applicable statutory certificates on behalf of the Government of Malta.

The present recognised and authorised Classification Societies by the Maltese authorities are listed below. If the vessel’s classification is not among any of the ones listed below, then this should be changed upon registration.

  • American Bureau of Shipping
  • Bureau Veritas
  • China Classification Society
  • Croatian Register of Shipping
  • Class NK
  • DNV-GL
  • Korean Register of Shipping
  • Lloyd’s Register
  • Polish Register of Shipping
  • RINA
  • Russian Maritime Register of Shipping
  • IOPP Certificate:

In the case of tankers, a copy of the IOPP certificate including the supplement identifying the vessel as Double is required.

  • Declaration addressed to the MSD (formerly MMA) duly signed by the new Managers confirming that there is no Halon on board the vessel.
  • Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney unless we are authorized through the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company (if Maltese Company) or through the Declaration of Resident Agent (if Foreign Body Entity).

  • Consents

The Consent in writing for the Vessel to be registered in the name of her Bareboat Charterers in Malta from:

a. The Authorities of the underlying registry who are also required to declare that during the registration in the name of her Charterers, the Vessel will not be entitled to fly their flag.

b. The owners of the vessel. 

c. Any registered Mortgagees.

If the vessel will change her name, the above entities should also consent to the change of name. Signatures of the consents should be notarised and the notary’s signature legalised. In case of body corporates, the notary should state that the person/s signing is/are authorised to sign by his/her/their sole signature. 

  • Certificate of Ownership and Encumbrances

A recent Certificate of Ownership and Encumbrances (i.e. Transcript or extract of the underlying Registry) which must include a description (the details) of the Vessel. 

  • Bareboat Charter Party Agreement

A copy of the Bareboat Charter Party Agreement is required.

Please complete the application form containing information on the vessel.

It is advisable to apply for the reservation of the vessel’s name prior to registration.  The name may be reserved for a period of 3 months upon payment of the relevant fee.  Your request in this regard would be required.

  • Copy of the present Anti-fouling Certificate
  • Encumbrances:

    Please advise whether the vessel is being sold free from encumbrances or otherwise.
  • Tonnage Certificate:

A copy of the International Tonnage Certificate.

  • ISM CODE: Document of Compliance and ISM Code Declaration

a) Document of Compliance

A copy of Document of Compliance is needed. 

b) ISM Code Declaration – SOLAS Chapter IX (ISM Code) 

Kindly note that a declaration in accordance to section 1.1.2. of SOLAS Chapter IX, (ISM Code) is required to be filed at MSD (formerly MMA) as per the procedure stated in Technical Notice SL26. Once stamped, this should be kept on board the vessel together with the other certificates. Please complete the application in order to make the necessary arrangements to file the said Declaration.

  • Click here for specimen for Maltese Chartering Company
  • Click here for specimen for Foreign Chartering Entity
  • LRIT conformance test report duly issued by a recognised Authorised Testing Application Service Provider (testing ASPs). A list of the approved Testing ASPs is found in MSD Notice No.78.
  • DMLC application duly completed for the issuance of the DMLC Part I.
  • Radio Licence:-
    A provisional radio licence is issued for a period of six months from the date of provisional registration.  In order to enable us to apply for same we require the AAIC and PSA Code numbers together with the GMDSS Sea Area of Trading (i.e. A1, A2, A3 and A4) and full details of the Emergency Contact Person ashore.  
  • Safe Manning Certificate:- 
    Refer to Information Sheet Number 107
    The completion of the related application form. This certificate is issued for a period of five years and will be renewed upon receipt of yet another Application Form. This will cease to be valid in the event of any change in equipment, construction or use of the ship which effect the stipulated manning and on closure of registry. 
  • Civil Liability Convention (CLC) Certificate:
    The CLC certificate is essential but applies only to Tankers. The blue card, issued by the P & I Club and addressed to the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority), is required for the issuance of the CLC Certificate.
  • Bunker Convention Certificate:
    The Bunker certificate is mandatory for all vessels.  The bunker card, issued by the P & I Club and addressed to the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority), is required for the issuance of the Bunker Convention Certificate.
  • Vessel Registration Fees
  • Specific Instructions to Register:

Your final written specific instructions to us are required once all the above requisites are in hand in order that we may proceed and register the vessel under the Malta Flag.

It is important to note that if registration of the vessel takes place prior to delivery, then registration may be declared null and void. In such situations and where mortgages are involved, bankers may request re-registration, thus incurring registration fees all over again. It is thus important that the registration of the vessel takes place only when the owners have full title of the ship.

Upon provisional registration of the vessel under the Malta flag the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority) authorises the vessel’s classification society to issue all certificates on behalf of the Malta Government in order that the necessary surveys may be undertaken.  Furthermore, a non-operational provisional certificate is issued and the following documents are required in order to proceed with the issuance and release of the operational provisional certificate: -

1. A confirmation from vessel’s classification society stating the validity of the statutory certificates issued on behalf of the Malta Government, unless the confirmation received prior to registration would have been in order.

2. A copy of the interim Safety Management Certificate under the new name and on behalf of the Malta Government.

3. In the case of tankers, a copy of the Blue card is required for the issuance of the CLC Certificate.

4. A copy of the International Ship Security Certificate.

5. A copy of the Anti-fouling certificate under the new name and on behalf of the Malta Government.

6. A copy of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) certificate

Within 3 months from provisional registration under the Malta flag, please supply us with a copy of all the previous Continuous Synopsis Records (CSR) issued together with the CSR deletion from the previous flag, in order to enable MSD (formerly MMA) to proceed with the issuance of the new CSR issued on behalf of the Malta Government.  Meanwhile a copy of the CSR forms (2 and 3) are required to be completed and stamped by the master and kept on board the vessel until the new CSR from MMA is issued.

 

PERMANENT REGISTRATION

The provisional registration is initially valid for six (6) months and may be extended for another maximum period of six (6) months.

In order to affect the permanent registration, the following documents are required:

1. Ship’s Carving and Marking Note (within one month). This is issued by the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority) upon provisional registration and should be endorsed by a recognised surveyor or a Maltese Consul.  If the net tonnage on the 1969 International Tonnage Certificate issued on behalf of the Maltese Government (item 3 below) is different from the net tonnage of the previous International Tonnage Certificate, then a new Ship’s Carving and Marking Note with correct NT is issued and required to be completed (within six months). 

2. Original Certificate of Survey (within six months), issued on behalf of the Malta Government. 

3. Copy of the International Tonnage (1969) Certificate (within six months) issued on behalf of the Malta Government. 

4. Confirmation from the vessel’s classification society to the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority) of the vessel’s Statutory Certificates issued on behalf of the Maltese Government, duly valid (upon their issuance).

5. Copies of valid ISM Certificates (i.e. Document of Compliance, Safety Management Certificate and International Ship’s Security Certificate) unless these are not already in possession of the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority).

6. A valid copy of the Maritime Labour Certificate. 

7. The return of the Provisional Certificate for the release of the Permanent one. The procedure which is generally followed is for the managers to send an undertaking letter addressed to the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority) to return the Provisional Certificate within one month of the release of the permanent one; thus the ship will always hold an original certificate on board. The original Provisional Certificate should be returned on receipt of the Permanent Certificate.

Upon receipt of the above documents, we may apply for Permanent registration and a Certificate of Registry is issued to this effect, provided that the five statutory certificates, the Document of Compliance (DOC), the Safety Management Certificate (SMC) and the International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) are valid.

This Certificate carries a date of expiry which coincides with the annual fees’ due date; thus renewal is affected by payment of annual fees provided all statutory certificates and the documents mentioned in the above paragraph are valid. Therefore it is important for the vessel’s classification society to update the Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority) of any extensions, renewals or issuance of certificates at all times.

Although not enforced as one of the requisites for Permanent registration, the vessel is also to submit copies of valid Maltese Ship’s Agreement and List of the Crew for as long as she remains registered under the Malta Flag.

As per S.84f (G) of the Maltese Merchant Shipping Act, the duration of the Charter-in registration shall be for a period not exceeding the duration of the Bareboat Charter or the expiry date of the present registry (if any) whichever is shorter but in no case for a period not exceeding two (2) years.

The certificate of registry is renewable every year by paying the annual fees and submitting the relevant documentation as usual. On expiry of duration of the bare boat charter (as per above paragraph) the following are required :-

  1. Addendum to the Charter Party Agreement
  2. Consent from underlying registry
  3. A Transcript of Register from underlying registry
  4. Consent of the mortgagee (if applicable)

The following enhancements related to the procedure for the bareboat charter registration of a vessel under Part IIA of the Merchant Shipping Act and its renewal were introduced by the Merchant Shipping Directorate. The rationale behind these enhancements is to streamline the process of registration and the documentation required for the registration and its renewal, and to harmonize the expiry dates of (i) the Certificate of Malta Bareboat Charter Registry and (ii) the Radio License:

1. A bareboat charter agreement between the registered owner (in the underlying registry) and the bareboat charterer may be valid for more than 2 years.

2. The consent of the owners and the registered mortgagees may also include a provision for the charterer to apply for any further extensions in the future without the need to produce a specific consent every two years. Such consents may also include the consent for any changes in the name of the vessel requested by the bareboat charterer in the future. The owners and the mortgagees may also state that they reserve the right to withdraw their consent at any time and to inform the Administration accordingly.

3. If so requested, instead of being notarized, the signatures of the consents may be certified by a lawyer.

4. The certification of the signature of the notary/lawyer by Apostille may be replaced by a certification by a Maltese Consul.

5.Provided that the bareboat charter agreement cover the period, the Certificate of Malta Bareboat Charter Registry may be issued for a period of two years in accordance with the expiry date of the consent of the underlying registry. It is important to note however, that the annual fee shall be payable in accordance with the requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act, i.e., on an annual basis. Failure to pay the applicable annual fee may lead to the suspension of the Certificate of Malta Bareboat Charter Registry and to initiate the process of cancelling the vessel from the bareboat charter registry.

6. With regards to the Ship Station License, the bareboat charterers may opt to apply for a Radio Station Licence valid for a period of two years to coincide with the expiry date of the Certificate of Malta Bareboat Charter Registry.