Procedure to Register a Company & Vessel

Company Registration

The first step to registering a vessel under the Malta Flag is the formation of a Maltese Limited Liability Company which will own the vessel. The minimum authorised share capital is Lm500 (Malta Liri), of which at least 20% must be up paid.

Vessel Registration

The procedure to register a vessel is relatively straightforward. Requirements for provisional registration include the completion of an application form and declaration of ownership, class confirmation to evidence seaworthiness, a copy of the tonnage certificate and payment of registration fees.

Provisional registration has a validity of six months which may be extended by a further six months in order to complete documentation for permanent registration. During this period, certain documents are to be submitted to the Registrar including the bill of sale, a cancellation certificate from the previous registry, a Certificate of Survey and a copy of the International Tonnage Certificate, a carving and marketing note and a crew list accompanied by certificates of competency.

Bareboat Charter Registration

Bareboat charter registration is possible and shall be for the shorter of the duration of the bareboat charter and the expiry date of underlying registration, but in no case for more then two years. Registration may then be further extended.

Mortgages

Once a vessel is provisionally registered, registration, transfer and discharge of the mortgages may be effected immediately on presentation of the relative documents to the Registrar.

A detailed set of registration procedures is available from Flagport Limited on request.