The use of a company or other corporate vehicle to hold a superyacht is today the norm in the yachting industry since such a valuable asset calls for a structured and efficient management. The reasons for setting up a company, or other corporate structure, to hold a superyacht include the ability to segregate the asset from other personal assets of the owner, the possibility of asset management and an increased ability to provide tax efficient solutions.
DF Marine assists all its clients in the process of evaluating the solutions existing for holding their superyachts. Through a network of corporate services providers based in advantageous jurisdictions we are able to access and provide various solutions. Unless otherwise requested, it is our practice to suggest simple and clear solutions rather than intricate and obscure corporate structures involving various jurisdictions.
Any person, whether an individual or a corporate entity, may set-up a company in Malta. Registration of a company mainly involves the reservation of the company’s name, the deposit of the issued share capital into a local bank account opened in the name of the company and the submission with the Maltese Registrar of Companies of a memorandum and articles of association signed by the shareholders or their representatives. Provided that all the necessary documentation is in hand, incorporation of such a company normally takes between twenty-four to forty-eight hours. The documentation to be submitted to the Registrar of Companies, prior to the incorporation of the company varies in accordance with the nationality of the directors and shareholders.
To set-up a company in Malta the following is required:
It is also possible to use other corporate vehicles recognised by Maltese law to hold and register a superyacht, including the settlement of asset/s on trusts.
Our clients are in a position to protect their identity, retaining anonymity in the statutes of the company and the public registers, such as the Registry of Companies, through DF Corporate Services Limited, a related company of DF Marine.
DF Corporate Services Limited is duly authorised and licenced by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) to act as a trustee and to provide fiduciary shareholding services. Moreover clients may also opt to appoint DF Corporate Services Limited as the corporate director of their companies, thereby further screening their involvement.
DF Marine assists all its clients in the process of evaluating the solutions existing for holding their superyachts. Through a network of corporate services providers based in advantageous jurisdictions we are able to access and provide various solutions. Unless otherwise requested, it is our practice to suggest simple and clear solutions rather than intricate and obscure corporate structures involving various jurisdictions.
Company Formation in Malta
Any person, whether an individual or a corporate entity, may set-up a company in Malta. Registration of a company mainly involves the reservation of the company’s name, the deposit of the issued share capital into a local bank account opened in the name of the company and the submission with the Maltese Registrar of Companies of a memorandum and articles of association signed by the shareholders or their representatives. Provided that all the necessary documentation is in hand, incorporation of such a company normally takes between twenty-four to forty-eight hours. The documentation to be submitted to the Registrar of Companies, prior to the incorporation of the company varies in accordance with the nationality of the directors and shareholders.
To set-up a company in Malta the following is required:
- A proposed company name
- An address in Malta
- The details of each of the shareholders (a copy of the passport of each shareholder or constitutive document in the event of a body corporate)
- The number of shares to be held by each shareholder
- The details of each of the directors (a copy of the passport of each individual or constitutive document in the event of a body corporate)
- The deposit of the initial share capital in a local bank and the payment of fees to the Registry of Companies.
It is also possible to use other corporate vehicles recognised by Maltese law to hold and register a superyacht, including the settlement of asset/s on trusts.
Fiduciary Services
DF Marine is aware and conscious that clients require comprehensive and flexible frameworks for the management and administration of their assets. At the same time, clients are equally interested in the confidentiality and anonymity aspects relating to their holding structure.Our clients are in a position to protect their identity, retaining anonymity in the statutes of the company and the public registers, such as the Registry of Companies, through DF Corporate Services Limited, a related company of DF Marine.
DF Corporate Services Limited is duly authorised and licenced by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) to act as a trustee and to provide fiduciary shareholding services. Moreover clients may also opt to appoint DF Corporate Services Limited as the corporate director of their companies, thereby further screening their involvement.
Why appoint a Fiduciary?
- DF Corporate Services Limited shall be the registered holder of the shares in any Company set-up to hold a yacht, and no record of the true beneficiaries/clients shall exist on the public record;
- Non-disclosure of the beneficiaries/clients’ true identity to any third party. The only exception to this obligation is a request by the legitimate order of any Court of Law in the course of criminal investigations relating to money laundering offences;
- The beneficiaries/clients’ interests are secured by the execution of a fiduciary services agreement providing clients with:
- full control over any future transfer of benefits derived from the shares of the company; and
- the exclusive right to instruct DF Corporate Services Limited, to exercise voting rights and dealings annexed to the shares of the company in a determinate manner;
- The appointment of DF Corporate Services Limited as corporate director substantiates the claim that the effective management and control of the company is exercised in Malta, for tax purposes.
