Malta Ship Registration Procedures
The vessel is first provisionally registered under the Malta flag for six months (extendable for a further period, or periods not exceeding in the aggregate six months) during which time the permanent Registration procedure needs to be finalised.
Provisional Registration:
The procedure to register a vessel is relatively straightforward. Requirements for provisional registration include:
- The completion of an “Application Form for Malta Ship Registration”
- An application for a “Change of Name”, if required
- A “Declaration of Ownership” made before the Registrar
- “Proof of Qualification” to own a Maltese ship in the case of body corporate, the Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Evidence of seaworthiness; in the case of trading vessels, confirmation of class with a recognised Classification Society, and information of the ship statutory certification including ISM compliance
- Application for Minimum Safe Manning Certificate
- Application for DMLC Part 1
- Application for Ship Radio Station Licence
- A copy of the Ship’s International Tonnage
- Certificate
- Payment of registration and tonnage tax fees
During the period of provisional registry, certain documents are to be submitted to the Registrar including:
- A Builder’s Certificate if the vessel has not been registered elsewhere; otherwise, a Bill of Sale or any other document by which the vessel was transferred to the present owner.
- A Deletion Certificate from the last country of registry showing the vessel to be free from any encumbrances.
- Copy of the last updated Continuous Synopsis Record issued by the Administration where the ship was last registered.
- A Certificate of Survey and a copy of the International Tonnage Certificate that the vessel has been surveyed in accordance with Maltese regulations.
- A Carving and Marking Note giving evidence that the vessel has been marked in accordance with the law.
- A crew list accompanied by copies of the officers’ certificates of competency.
Permanent Registration:
Requirements for Permanent Registration includes:
- Original Builders’ Certificate, or Bill of Sale, as the case may be
- Deletion Certificate from the previous Registry
- Ship’s Carving and Marking Note to be returned duly signed and completed by Class Surveyor
- Undertaking in favour of Registrar of Shipping to return the Provisional Certificate of Registration following the issuance of the Permanent Registration Certificate.
- Proof that the Ship has been issued with valid certificates required by International Conventions (including protocols, annexes & appendices there to which have been ratified or acceded to or accepted by the Government of Malta)
- Copy of International Tonnage Certificate
- Original Certificate of Survey
Read more about the Advantages of Ship Registration in Malta.
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