Registering a Ship in Malta
All types of vessels, from pleasure yachts to oil rigs, may be registered in the name of legally constituted corporate bodies or entities, irrespective of nationality, or by European Union citizens; a Maltese ship may also be bareboat charter registered under another flag.

Contact us for more information as well as for a quote. We will happily guide you through the ship registration, and company formation process and also advise you on the solutions that would best suite your needs!. info@CompanyinMalta.com. Or call +356 21 378 722

There are niether trading restrictions nor age restrictions. However:
• Ships of 15 years and over, but under 20 years, must pass an inspection by an authorised flag state inspector before or within a month of provisional registration; and
• Ships of 20 years and over but less than 25 years, must pass an inspection by an authorised flag state inspector prior to being provisionally registered. As a rule trading ships of 25 years and over are not registered.

The procedure for the registration of a vessel is relatively straightforward. Provisional registration, which in terms of the law has the same effect as the so-called permanent registration, can be effected very quickly. Authority to help a ship, however, will only be given once the Administration is satisfied that the vessel conforms to all the standards required by the relative international conventions.
Provisional registration has a validity of six months, although this can be extended by a further six months; by this time all the documentation has to be completed for permanent registration. This includes, in particular, evidence of ownership and of cancellation of former registry. Authority to operate still remains linked to conformity with the relative manning, safety and pollution prevention international standards.

Requirements for registering a ship or a yacht in Malta
Requirements for provisional registration:
• An application for registration by the owner or an authorised representative accompanied; if required, by an application for a change of name;
• A copy of the ship's International Tonnage Certificate, where applicable;
• Proof of qualification to own a Maltese ship; in the case of a body corporate, the memorandum and articles of association.
• A declaration of ownership made before the Registrar by the owner or an authorised representative;
• Evidence of seaworthiness; in the case of trading vessels, confirmation of class;
• Payment of initial and annual registration fees.
Documents to be submitted during provisional registration:
• A builder's certificate, if the vessel has not been registered elsewhere; Otherwise a bill of sale or any other document for registry.
• A cancellation of registry certificate from the last country of registry, showing vessel to be free from encumbrances or otherwise;
• A Certificate of Survey and a copy of the international Tonnage Certificate certifying that the vessel has been surveyed in accordance with Maltese regulations;
• Evidence that the vessel has been marked in accordance with the law;
• At least one crew list.

Malta has acceded to IMO Convention STCW 1978. Maltese ships are subject to the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act and ancillary regulations concerning the competency of officers and seamen.
There are no restrictions imposed on the nationality of the master, officers and crew engaged on Maltese Ships. However, to promote the employment of the Maltese seafarers there is a small reduction in fees for each Maltese seafarer employed.
A Valid Minimum Safe Manning Certificate must be carried by all Maltese merchant ships of 500 gross tonnage and over. On the entry of a ship in the Malta register, the Merchant Shipping Directorate will issue a Minimum Safe Manning Certificate valid for five years from the date of provisional registration. Thereafter, prior to the expiry of the certificate or upon any change in the equipment, construction or trading of the ship, the Directorate will issue a new certificate again valid for five years to coincide with the date of the renewal of the certificate of registry.
The minimum safe manning guidelines shown below incorporate those contained in Imo Resolution A481 (XII). Specific requirements will be considered although a practical demonstration of the ability of the crew may be required.

Certificates of competency are issued on examination. Foreign certificates issued in terms of the 1978 STCW Convention are recognised where they have granted by examination.

A contract of employment in the form of a crew agreement must be made between the master and seamen.
A crew agreement must contain the following details:
• Personal details of each member of the crew;
• The time at which each seafarer is to be onboard or to begin work
• The capacity in which each seafarer is to serve;
• The amount of wages for each seafarer;
• Agreed leave
• Disciplinary provisions.
• A list of persons under the age of 18 years and their birth dates
In Maltese ports, the terms of the agreement (including records of engagement and discharge of seafarers) preferably are to be endorsed by a Maltese shipping officer and, in foreign ports, by a Maltese Consular Officer. An agreement can be made for a single voyage or, if the voyage is less than one year, it may be extended over two or more voyages.

Contact us for more information as well as for a quote. We will happily guide you through the ship registration, and company formation process and also advise you on the solutions that would best suite your needs!. info@CompanyinMalta.com. Or call +356 21 378722