The Merchant Shipping Act provides for the registration of ships in Malta. In terms of the Act and regulations thereunder provision is made for the registration of private and commercial yachts as well as larger vessels. Ships may be registered in the name of legally constituted corporate bodies or entities irrespective of nationality, or by a European Union citizen.
The registration process in all cases is twofold as ships are first registered temporarily on the Shipping Register and upon the attainment of further parliamentary requirements within a six-month period (extendable to one year) ships will be permanently registered under the Maltese flag. Maltese requirements well known to main shipyards and main classification societies which also facilitates the registration process.
The Maltese Shipping Register is a well-established and provides a 24 hour, seven days a week service. Malta is also on the White List of the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU and on the Low Risk Ship List of the Paris MoU. The Shipping Register is one of the largest in the world and very active in European Union fora and international organisations
Grant Thornton's professionals can assist you in registering both pleasure and commercial vessels with Malta's authorities.
