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Registration of vessels in Malta

10 / 01 / 19

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The registration of ships under the Maltese flag is regulated by the Merchant Shipping Act. Furthermore Malta has adopted all the major international maritime conventions. Besides the simple yet highly effective legislative framework, Malta also boasts of low operating costs, stable political factors and technical expertise in the industry. All these factors have contributed to Malta having the largest maritime registry in the European Union and to have established itself as an exceptionally respected flag State.

Registration of ships and all matters ancillary thereto is the responsibility of the Merchant Shipping Directorate (hereinafter the ‘MSD’). Registration of vessels is a serious matter for any nation, given that once a vessel is registered under a particular flag, the flag State enters into an international obligation to ensure compliance of its vessels with all international rules and standards. The flag State is under a legal duty to:

  • Ensure that the ships that bear its flag carry all trading certificates.
  • Inspect its vessels for compliance and conformity, and the overriding consideration remains safety of life at sea.

Maltese law offers shipbuilders or owners of vessels the possibility of registering various forms of vessels, from super yachts to barges, or even oil rigs. As a rule, trading ships of 25 years and over are not registered. Ships of 15 years and over but less than 25 years are required to pass an inspection by an authorised flag state inspector prior to being provisionally registered. On the other hand, ships of 10 years and over but less than 15 years are required to pass an inspection by an authorised flag state inspector before or within one month of provisional registration.

For a ship to be registered under the Act it must be owned by:

  1. a citizen of Malta [Art. 4(1)(a) of the Merchant Shipping Act;
  2. bodies corporate established under and subject to the laws of Malta, having their principal place of business in Malta or having a place of business in Malta and satisfying the Minister that they can and will ensure due observance of the laws of Malta relating to merchant shipping [Art. 4(1)(b) of the Merchant Shipping Act];
  3. a citizens of EU Member States residing in Malta;
  4. a foreign corporate body or other entity which enjoys to the satisfaction of the Registrar-General legal personality in terms of the law under which it has been established or constituted and which has satisfied the Registrar-General that it can and will ensure due observance of the laws of Malta relating to merchant shipping [Regulation 2(a) of the Ships Eligible for Registration Regulations S.L. 234.23];
  5. a citizen of EU Member State not residing in Malta [Regulation 2(b) of the Ships Eligible for Registration Regulations S.L. 234.23]

In the last two instances, such a person is referred to as an international owner. An international owner must appoint a resident agent, who is habitually resident in Malta, in order to act as a channel of communication between the international owner and the MSD in respect of all matters relating to the upkeep of the vessel’s register, and to act as the owner’s judicial representative in Malta. Such an international owner shall then be deemed to have submitted to the jurisdiction of the Maltese courts for any action in connection with the ship while it is or was registered under the Maltese flag.

The procedure for the registration of a vessel is relatively straightforward. The application for the registration of a vessel must be made by the ship owner or an authorised representative, and must be accompanied by proof that such person, being a physical or a moral person, qualifies to own a Maltese vessel. A vessel is first registered provisionally under the Malta flag for six months (which may be extended for another period not exceeding six months) during which all documentation needs to be finalised. Once the owner submits all prescribed documentation and certification within the time limits set at law, a permanent Certificate of Registry is issued. Such Certificate evidences both the ownership and nationality of the ship. It is worth pointing out that when registering a vessel there is also the opportunity to re-name it and have it registered under a different name. A registration fee in respect of all vessels is payable on initial registration and annually thereafter. These costs depend on the total gross tonnage of the vessel, the type and the age of the vessel.

Maltese law also allows the provisional registration of vessels that are still being constructed or equipped. The registration of ships still under construction offers a number of advantages to ship-owners and operators, including, the suspension of various legal requirements ordinarily relating to registration (until the construction is complete or delivery of the vessels is made). However, the possibility of registering vessels under construction is still rarely utilised.

Another category of vessels which may be registered with the Maltese registry is that relating to commercial yachts. These are yachts which are used for commercial purposes but which do not carry cargo and do not carry more than twelve passengers. Commercial yachts are regulated under the Commercial Yacht Code, drawn up by the MSD in 2010. The Code takes into consideration the particular design, operation and safety requirements of such yachts, whilst having regard for the international regulatory framework at the same time. Apart from commercial yachts, Maltese law also permits the registration of pleasure yachts. In fact, pleasure yachts registered in Malta benefit from an attractive taxation mechanism.

Some of the advantages and features of the Maltese shipping register include:

  • Vessels may be registered in the name of legally incorporated bodies irrespective of the latter’s nationality. This is unlike a number of other flag states which have traditionally placed restrictions on the ownership of vessels to persons who are national, domiciled or legally incorporated in the flag state.
  • There are no conditions imposed in respect of the nature of trading carried out by the vessel carrying the Maltese flag, or on the nationality of the master, officers and crew serving on such vessels.
  • Owners or charterers of Maltese ships can benefit from certain tax exemptions, and no tax is payable on dividends paid to the shareholders.
  • Registering a vessel under the Maltese flag is easy and efficient procedure.

 

If you have any queries or would like to assist you with any matters related to vessels registration, please contact us at maritimeservices@gmint.com .

Registration of vessels in Malta

10 / 01 / 19

Share Article on 

 

The registration of ships under the Maltese flag is regulated by the Merchant Shipping Act. Furthermore Malta has adopted all the major international maritime conventions. Besides the simple yet highly effective legislative framework, Malta also boasts of low operating costs, stable political factors and technical expertise in the industry. All these factors have contributed to Malta having the largest maritime registry in the European Union and to have established itself as an exceptionally respected flag State.

Registration of ships and all matters ancillary thereto is the responsibility of the Merchant Shipping Directorate (hereinafter the ‘MSD’). Registration of vessels is a serious matter for any nation, given that once a vessel is registered under a particular flag, the flag State enters into an international obligation to ensure compliance of its vessels with all international rules and standards. The flag State is under a legal duty to:

  • Ensure that the ships that bear its flag carry all trading certificates.
  • Inspect its vessels for compliance and conformity, and the overriding consideration remains safety of life at sea.

Maltese law offers shipbuilders or owners of vessels the possibility of registering various forms of vessels, from super yachts to barges, or even oil rigs. As a rule, trading ships of 25 years and over are not registered. Ships of 15 years and over but less than 25 years are required to pass an inspection by an authorised flag state inspector prior to being provisionally registered. On the other hand, ships of 10 years and over but less than 15 years are required to pass an inspection by an authorised flag state inspector before or within one month of provisional registration.

For a ship to be registered under the Act it must be owned by:

  1. a citizen of Malta [Art. 4(1)(a) of the Merchant Shipping Act;
  2. bodies corporate established under and subject to the laws of Malta, having their principal place of business in Malta or having a place of business in Malta and satisfying the Minister that they can and will ensure due observance of the laws of Malta relating to merchant shipping [Art. 4(1)(b) of the Merchant Shipping Act];
  3. a citizens of EU Member States residing in Malta;
  4. a foreign corporate body or other entity which enjoys to the satisfaction of the Registrar-General legal personality in terms of the law under which it has been established or constituted and which has satisfied the Registrar-General that it can and will ensure due observance of the laws of Malta relating to merchant shipping [Regulation 2(a) of the Ships Eligible for Registration Regulations S.L. 234.23];
  5. a citizen of EU Member State not residing in Malta [Regulation 2(b) of the Ships Eligible for Registration Regulations S.L. 234.23]

In the last two instances, such a person is referred to as an international owner. An international owner must appoint a resident agent, who is habitually resident in Malta, in order to act as a channel of communication between the international owner and the MSD in respect of all matters relating to the upkeep of the vessel’s register, and to act as the owner’s judicial representative in Malta. Such an international owner shall then be deemed to have submitted to the jurisdiction of the Maltese courts for any action in connection with the ship while it is or was registered under the Maltese flag.

The procedure for the registration of a vessel is relatively straightforward. The application for the registration of a vessel must be made by the ship owner or an authorised representative, and must be accompanied by proof that such person, being a physical or a moral person, qualifies to own a Maltese vessel. A vessel is first registered provisionally under the Malta flag for six months (which may be extended for another period not exceeding six months) during which all documentation needs to be finalised. Once the owner submits all prescribed documentation and certification within the time limits set at law, a permanent Certificate of Registry is issued. Such Certificate evidences both the ownership and nationality of the ship. It is worth pointing out that when registering a vessel there is also the opportunity to re-name it and have it registered under a different name. A registration fee in respect of all vessels is payable on initial registration and annually thereafter. These costs depend on the total gross tonnage of the vessel, the type and the age of the vessel.

Maltese law also allows the provisional registration of vessels that are still being constructed or equipped. The registration of ships still under construction offers a number of advantages to ship-owners and operators, including, the suspension of various legal requirements ordinarily relating to registration (until the construction is complete or delivery of the vessels is made). However, the possibility of registering vessels under construction is still rarely utilised.

Another category of vessels which may be registered with the Maltese registry is that relating to commercial yachts. These are yachts which are used for commercial purposes but which do not carry cargo and do not carry more than twelve passengers. Commercial yachts are regulated under the Commercial Yacht Code, drawn up by the MSD in 2010. The Code takes into consideration the particular design, operation and safety requirements of such yachts, whilst having regard for the international regulatory framework at the same time. Apart from commercial yachts, Maltese law also permits the registration of pleasure yachts. In fact, pleasure yachts registered in Malta benefit from an attractive taxation mechanism.

Some of the advantages and features of the Maltese shipping register include:

  • Vessels may be registered in the name of legally incorporated bodies irrespective of the latter’s nationality. This is unlike a number of other flag states which have traditionally placed restrictions on the ownership of vessels to persons who are national, domiciled or legally incorporated in the flag state.
  • There are no conditions imposed in respect of the nature of trading carried out by the vessel carrying the Maltese flag, or on the nationality of the master, officers and crew serving on such vessels.
  • Owners or charterers of Maltese ships can benefit from certain tax exemptions, and no tax is payable on dividends paid to the shareholders.
  • Registering a vessel under the Maltese flag is easy and efficient procedure.

 

If you have any queries or would like to assist you with any matters related to vessels registration, please contact us at maritimeservices@gmint.com .