W.J.Parnis England is one of the pioneers of ship registration under the Malta Flag. Since its conception, The Merchant Shipping Act has provided international ship owners the opportunity to register their vessels under the Malta Flag and to benefit from the available fiscal and legal advantages.
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 no trading or age restrictions, however the following conditions apply:
- Ships of 10 years and over, but under 15 years, must pass an inspection by an authorised 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 authorised 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.
Our company has a dedicated team that provides the full range of services to ship owners that register vessels under the Malta Flag.
