Vessel registration under the Malta flag and the operation of Maltese ships is regulated by the Merchant Shipping Act, a law based mainly on U.K. legislation but subsequently revised and amended in 1986 and 1988 and 1990.

Our Ship Registration Department specialises in the registration of ships, yachts and other boats under the Maltese Flag.  We collaborate for a specialise maritime law firm CC-Advocates for the formation of shipping companies and for the registration of your yacht, while we take care of all other logistical, technical and familiarisation services.
 

ADVANTAGES

Registration of ships and yachts under the Maltese flag offers several advantages:

• low company formation and ship registration costs;

• no restrictions on the nationality of the ship owner;

• complete tax exemption for private yachts and ships over 1000 Gross Tons;

• effective tax rate of 4.17% and VAT exemption for chartering of commercial yachts;

• no restrictions on the nationality of the master, officers and crew;

• no restrictions or taxation on the sale or transfer of shares of a company owning Maltese registered ships;

• no restrictions or taxation on the sale and mortgaging of Maltese registered ships;

• no trading restrictions and preferential treatment to Maltese ships in certain ports;

The operation of commercially registered yachts for chartering purposes using a Maltese company (using a Maltese International Trading Company)  is very tax advantageous. Profits from chartering are taxed at 4.17%, there is no VAT on chartering contracts and VAT paid on purchases by the Maltese company can be reclaimed.

• Malta's Ship & Yacht Registry - Flying the Malta Flag 

• Bareboat charter registration 

• Manning, International Convention, Mortgages.

• Ship Registration Services

• Yacht Registration

• VAT on Maltese registered pleasure yachts reduced to 5.4%