Vessel Registration in Malta

• Competitive registration fees and Attractive Tonnage Tax Rules also for non-Maltese vessels including Non-EU/EEA registered ships;
• Attractive Tonnage Tax Regime applicable also to Ship & Yacht Management Companies;
• Vessels fulfilling requirements under Maltese Tonnage Tax Rules are exempt from tax on their income;
• No tax on profits or gains of a shipping organisation derived from the sale or other transfer of a tonnage tax ship acquired and sold whilst under the Tonnage Tax Regime or from the disposal of any rights to acquire a ship which, when delivered or completed, would qualify as a tonnage tax ship;
• A number of double taxation and bilateral maritime agreements with other maritime nations;
• Absence of Exchange Control required for the purpose of incorporating or operating a shipping company (this also applies when taking security for loans or other facilities over Maltese-registered vessels owned by companies registered locally);
• Possibility for Shipping Companies to avail themselves from the advantages offered by the Securitisation Act as an alternative to Tonnage Tax Rules.
• Malta is a White List Paris MOU Member State thus increasing the marketability of its vessels;
• No navigation restrictions imposed on Malta flagged vessels; and
• No restrictions on the nationality of shareholders and directors of Maltese shipping companies.

• No restrictions on the nationality of crew members on board Malta flagged vessels
• Competitive Social Security rates
• No restrictions on the nationality of shareholders and directors of Maltese shipping companies
• From 1 June 2025, Transport Malta began issuing electronic certificates to Malta‑flagged ships and yachts

Malta created a secure environment for ship financiers by providing for their interests with a high and reliable level of protection with standards comparable to the ones found in the English Merchant Shipping Act.

• Mortgages constitute an executive title and are immediately enforceable upon default without prior court judgement or similar order
• High ranking of mortgaged secured interests
• Further mortgages, transfers and deletion of vessels can be completed only with mortgagee’s prior written consent; if deleted by Maltese Authorities the mortgage would still continue to attach to the vessel;
• Mortgage attaches to insurance proceeds and to proceeds from indemnities for mishaps
• A registered mortgage takes priority over special privileges or liens not previously recorded on appurtenances or accessories of a vessel
• Possibility to register a mortgage in favour of a security trustee acting under a trust for the benefit of a person/s or a syndicate to whom a debt or other obligation is due

Malta developed a strong legal and regulatory platform that enabled the Maltese flag to become an established and reputable International Ship Register which is now one of the largest in the world.

The eight-pointed cross flag is one of the most recognisable in the seas and oceans of the world and in fact it ranks 1st in Europe and 6th worldwide in terms of registered tonnage. Such results were achieved through the constant updating of Malta’s maritime legislative framework within the IMO’s framework. This approach was consolidated by Malta’s accession to the European Union in 2004, its placement within the Paris MOU White List as well as the maximisation of opportunities deriving from the EU Tonnage Tax Guidelines and the adoption by the flag of a 24/7 customer oriented approach.

Against this background, the Maltese maritime authorities also developed specific legislation that takes into account the distinctive requirements of the yacht and super-yacht industry that makes registering private and commercial yachts under the Malta flag a very attractive proposition.