Credence Corporate and Advisory Services offer full legal and administrative support for all aspects of ship registration.

All types of vessels from pleasure yachts to oil rigs may be generally registered under the Malta flag, provided they are wholly owned by a Maltese body corporate established for the purpose of registering a vessel under the Malta flag and the law also provides for the registration of vessels still under construction. The registration and the operation of vessels under the Malta Flag are regulated by the Merchant Shipping Act, a law based mainly on the merchant shipping legislation of the United Kingdom. A Maltese registered ship is one owned by a Maltese citizen or by a Maltese body corporate. The latter option is usually opted for.

The first step is to register a company in Malta, with the express object of ship registration. The incorporation and maintenance of a Maltese company for the purpose of registering a vessel under the Maltese flag, is quick and inexpensive and a company may be set up within 48 hours from the submission of all the relevant documentation. There are no nationality requirements as to both the shareholders and directors and usually the real ship or yacht owner will be the shareholder and director of the company. Our usual procedure is to have the registered office of the newly formed company at our own address (unless the client instructs us otherwise) and Credence is also listed as the company’s authorized representative in Malta seeing to all matters involved with the company’s administration in Malta.

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.

Provisional Ship Registration

The requirements for such registration are:-

1. A copy of the statute of the Company which Credence shall register offering director services if required, and all ancillary services.

2. A duly completed application for registration (which we shall provide by Fax or Email)

3. An application for a change of name if required

4. A copy of the ships 1969 International Tonnage Certificate

5. Evidence of seaworthiness of the ship, and in case of trading vessels

6. Proof of qualification to own a Maltese ship; in the case of a body corporate, the memorandum and articles of association.

Confirmation of class

7. The completion of application form to obtain a minimum safe manning certificate

8. A declaration of ownership made by the ship owner or by an authorized representative.

9. Class payment of initial and annual registration fees.

Permanent Ship Registration

The following documents must be submitted during provisional registration

(six months extendable to a year):

1. A builder’s certificate in case of first registration, or a deletion certificate from the last port registry.

2. A bill of sale or any other document by which the vessel was transferred to the applicant for registry free from encumbrance;

3. An endorsed copy of the Ship's Carving and Marking note by a recognized surveyor or a Maltese Consul, which note is issued by the Malta Maritime Authority upon provisional registration.

4. A certificate of survey and a copy of the tonnage certificate certifying that the vessel has been surveyed in accordance with Maltese regulations;

5. A crew list (at least one).

6. Copies of officer’s certificates;

7. Application for Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus if required.

Costs:

The main criteria when determining the costs of registration are the Gross Tonnage of the ship, the type of ship, and the date of manufacture of the ship, and therefore how old the ship is.

The Malta Maritime Authority has an official scheme whereby the prices are regulated in detail and they are determined in line with the above mentioned criteria.

It is important to note that depending on the type of ship, not only the price of registration varies but also the price of an annual renewal.

Main Types of Vessels:

Fishing Vessels less than 24 metres length over all and these are divided between commercial and recreational vessels (See Section A attached)

All other ships of less than 24 metres length over all and these are divided between those with less than 50 GT and more than 50 GT (See Section A attached)

Pleasure yachts of 24 metres length over all or more (See Section A attached).

All other ships of 24 metres length over all or more in which case the prices vary according to net tonnage and which are also subject to a reduction or increase in price depending on the age of the ship (See Sections B and C attached).

Our Costs:

Registration Fees of company (see attached prices re company registration)

Registration fees for registration of Yacht: 800 Euros

Commercial Registration: This includes the costs of the surveyor copy of which is attached. Legal fees for commercial registration are of 500 Euros in addition to the costs for registration.

This does not include the Malta Maritime Authority costs for registration, a copy of which is attached.

Please do not hesitate to contact Credence Corporate and Advisory Services for further information.