SeaNav

Ship Registration

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Ship Registration

Renowned for this maritime excellence with a rich and varied maritime tradition, Malta has established itself as one of the leading maritime hubs in the Mediterranean region. The island offers a whole range of international maritime services and facilities as part of a comprehensive package. With strong foundations and support in administration, legal and regulatory platforms, Malta has a reputable international ship register which is now established as one of the largest in the world.

Ship Owners registering their vessels under the Maltese flag may benefit from a number of advantages, including:

Competitive holistic packages and registration fees with no hidden costs and inspection fees

  • Efficient procedures on:
    • registration of vessels and mortgages over such vessels
    • sale or transfer of shares or stock in Maltese shipping companies
  • Ships may be registered:
    • in the name of legally constituted corporate bodies or entities irrespective of nationality, or by a European Union citizen
    • Reputable and internationally recognised ship register
    • European Flag with a long maritime tradition
    • On the White List of the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU
    • On the Low Risk Ship List of the Paris MoU
    • No nationality restrictions for master, officers and crew
    • No trading restrictions and preferential treatment to Maltese ships in certain ports
  • Various tax related benefits and / or outright exemption on items such as:
    • income tax on revenue earned from the activity of such vessels
    • payment of capital succession duty
    • duty on documents and transfers related to sale or transfer of a Maltese vessel
    • double taxation or bilateral agreements with other maritime nations
  • A well-organised and highly responsive Flag Administration:
    • which is one of the largest registers in the world
    • providing easy access to decision-makers within the competent authorities, backed by qualified and efficient technical officers available for urgent matters round the clock.
    • very active in European Union fora and international organisations
    • that values and nurtures long term customer relationships

Maltese requirements well known to main shipyards and main classification societies

Marriages can be officiated aboard Maltese ships

The availability of various maritime services including highly reputable and credible professional services supporting registration, management and administration, all acting in synchronisation with a clear strategic political vision supporting all business in general and especially the maritime industry.

Eligibility for registration

All types of vessels may be registered, including :

  • oil rigs, platforms and barges,
  • hulls / vessels under construction

provided that, inter alia, they are wholly owned by legally constituted corporate bodies or entities irrespective of nationality, or by European Union citizens.

The formation of a Maltese company is a straightforward operation; there are no nationality requirements as to both the shareholders and directors.

In the case of non-Maltese owners, registration can be done via the appointment of a resident Agent.