Rayah Maritime is able to register our clients` vessels under Malta flag. Malta flag is a White-listed in Paris MOU & Tokyo MOU. Our company has its resident agent based in Malta.

The Malta Flag is a European Flag with a long maritime tradition. Ranks 1st in Europe with a total 77.2 million combined gross tonnes registered under the flag (2018) and 6th largest world-wide.

Malta flag has no restrictions on the nationality of Masters, Officers and Crew.

Registration Process

All types of vessels, from pleasure yachts to oil rigs, including vessels under construction, may be registered, provided that, inter alia, they are wholly owned by legally constituted corporate bodies or entities irrespective of nationality, or by European Union citizens; a Maltese ship may also be bareboat charter registered under another flag.

There are neither trading restrictions nor age restrictions. However:

– Ships of 10 years and over, but under 15 years, must pass an inspection by an authorized flag state inspector before or within a month of provisional registration; and

– Ships of 15 years and over are required to pass an inspection by an authorized flag state inspector prior to being provisionally registered. As a rule trading ships of 25 years and over are not registered.

The procedure for the registration of a vessel is relatively straightforward. Provisional registration, which in terms of the law has the same effect as the so-called permanent registration, can be effected very quickly.

A vessel is first registered provisionally under the Malta flag for six months (extendible for a further period, or periods not exceeding in the aggregate six months) during which period all documentation needs to be finalised. This includes, in particular, evidence of ownership and of cancellation of former registry. Authority to operate still remains linked to conformity with the relative manning, safety and pollution prevention international standards.

Provisional Registration Requirments:

– An application for registration by the owner or an authorized representative including, if required, an application for change of name of ship;

– Proof of qualification to own a Maltese ship; in the case of a body corporate, the memorandum and articles of association;

– In the case of non-resident owners, appointment of a resident agent;

– A copy of the ship’s International Tonnage Certificate, where applicable;

– A declaration of ownership made in front of the Registrar by the owner or an authorized representative;

– Evidence of seaworthiness; in the case of trading ships, confirmation of class, with a recognized organization, and information of the ship statutory certification including company ISM compliance;

– Where applicable, request for the Administration to authorize the appropriate recognized classification society to issue the ship’s certification;

– Where applicable, application for Minimum Safe Manning Certificate;

– Application for Ship Radio Station License;

– Payment of initial registration fees and annual tonnage tax.

Permanent Registration Requirments:

– A builder’s certificate, if the vessel has not been registered elsewhere; otherwise a bill of sale or any other document for registry;

– A cancellation of registry certificate from the last country of registry, showing vessel to be free from encumbrances or otherwise;

– In the cases of SOLAS ships, copy of the last updated Continuous Synopsis Record issued by the Administration where the ship was last documented;

– Certificate of Survey and a copy of the international Tonnage Certificate issued by an approved surveyor of ships;

– Evidence that the vessel has been marked in accordance with law.

For more information regarding Recognized Organizations Click here