YACHT REGISTRATION IN MALTA
The success of the Malta flag in the Shipping Industry has of late led to a significant development in the registration procedures adopted by the Malta flag authorities in the area of yachts. The responsive and consistent outlook of officials at the Commercial Maltese Registry has made the Maltese registry evermore attractive to yacht owners and managers seeking security and efficiency, in such cases as Commercial Yacht Registration. The Malta flag boasts:
- An internationally recognised and reputable jurisdiction
- EU compliant legislation
- A well-organized and fast registration system
- Clear and certain laws relating to yacht mortgages
- Low yacht registration costs
The Benefits of Flagging your Yacht in Malta
Any Maltese or European citizen, and any company registered in Malta or in a Member State of the European Union, may register a yacht under the Malta flag. This is also applicable for Commercial Yacht Registration in Malta. Any EU citizen (and non) may register a company in Malta for the purposes of holding a yacht under the Malta flag.
The registration procedure is comprehensive but not cumbersome, and certificates are issued promptly in the name of the registered owners upon submission of the necessary paperwork. A provisional Commercial Yacht registration certificate is normally issued on a non-operational basis until the all paperwork has been confirmed in accordance with the malta commercial yacht code. The paperwork includes surveys that guarantee the yacht is in line with standards set by the Malta Commercial Yacht code. It is also possible to request transcripts of the yacht's register, which facility, moreover, ensures transparency and certainty for all persons interested in the yacht's registration.
Financiers find comfort in the Maltese legislation providing for adequate protection for them, and also for the yacht owners. The mortgage system is straightforward and the Maltese flag authorities administer the law strictly, but fairly, ensuring clarity and correctness.
Once successfully a Commercial Yacht registered under the Malta flag, it benefits from the excellent international repute of the flag, which is enhanced by Malta's membership within the European Union.
Also noteworthy is that Malta flag regulations provide for:
- No restriction in the nationality of persons involved in the ownership
- No restriction in the nationality of the persons manning of the vessel
- No restriction whilst sailing to any ports worldwide
The Procedure for Commercial Yacht Registration in Malta
Any commercial yacht registration in Aalta may be granted by means of an expeditious and straightforward procedure within a timeframe of 48 hours from receipt of the required documents. This Commercial Yacht registration will be provisional until the Maltese Registrar of Ships is furnished with documents proving the ownership of the yacht, a deletion certificate (from the previous non Malta yacht register, if any), a certificate of survey inline with the Malta commercial yacht register and other technical documents as the case may be.
To register provisionally the Commercial Yacht in Maltafollowing documents will be required:
- An Application to Register a Commercial Yacht in Malta
- A Declaration of Ownership
- An Application requesting a Radio Licence
- A copy of the International Tonnage Certificate (if the commercial yacht is over 24m in length)
The provisional registration is valid for 6 months, within which period the applicant must fulfil the formalities prescribed by Maltese law for a permanent commercial yacht registration in Malta. This period may be extended with the consent of the Maltese Registrar of Ships upon giving satisfactory reasons.
Upon completion of the Malta commercial yacht registration process a Certificate of MaltaYacht Registry will be furnished. This document will constitute proof of the successful Commercial Yacht registration procedure under the Malta flag, as well as proof of title to the commercial yacht.
DF Marine assists its clients during all stages of the procedure. By requesting the necessary information from our clients at the early stages we simplify the registration process.
Commercial Yacht registration
The registration of a Commercial yacht in the commercial register will involve an initial provisional registration, which can be achieved by submitting:
- An Application to Register a Yacht
- A Declaration of Ownership
- An Application requesting a Radio Licence
- A copy of the International Tonnage Certificate (if the yacht is over 24m in length)
The initial commercial yacht registration in Malta will lead to the issue of a non-operative certificate by the Malta flag. An operational certificate will only be issued once the applicant is able to prove the seaworthiness, safety and security of the commercial yacht in line with Maltese laws. Such proof will be provided through the submission of a report by appointed Classification Societies, and in the event of yachts under 500GT a report submitted by a Government approved surveyor. To obtain an operational certificate for the Commercial Yacht in Malta the following documents will be required:
- An International Tonnage Certificate issued on behalf of the Malta flag (if the yacht is over 24m in length)
- An International Load Line Certificate issued on behalf of the Malta flag (if the yacht is over 24m in length)
- An inspection report issued by A Classification Society or Government approved surveyor (if the Commercial yacht is under 500GT) confirming the Malta Commercial Yacht Code regulations have been adhered to
- Certificate of Survey
- A Minimum Safe Manning Certificate
- A Safety Radio Certificate (if the yacht is over 300 GT)
- An International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (if the yacht is over 400 GT)
- ISM and ISPS Certificates (if the yacht is over 500 GT)
DF Marine will assist with the appointment of surveyors or Class representatives to survey the yacht and obtain the required certification by Class or Flag officials. The survey process is crucial to a timely, efficient and successful registration procedure. Our experience in this process allows us to co-ordinate the survey exercise and seamlessly obtain the certificates required for the Commercial yacht's operation.
International Owners
The Maltese flag will authorize the registration of a commercial yacht by any national, or non-Maltese company or body corporate, as long as the owner is clearly identifiable. In the event of an International Owner the authorities will require certified copies of official identification documents; or in the case of a company or other body corporate, certified documentary evidence of the existence of the entity and identification of the officials of the company or body corporate.
Each International Owner will be required to appoint in writing a person resident in Malta for purposes of liaising with the Malta flag authorities. The functions and powers of said agent include:
- Liaising between the International Owner and Flag officials
- Signing and filing applications, declarations, notices, forms, returns and any other documents related to Commercial Yacht Registration in Malta, with authorities on behalf of the international owner
- Acting as judicial representative of the international owner in Malta
- Paying all relevant fees and taxes on behalf of the international owner
DF Marine has often acted for international owners as resident agents assisting in the commercial yacht registration and facilitating the registration process under the Malta flag.
