Malta Flag Benefits
Vessel registration under the Malta flag and the operation of Maltese ships is regulated by the Merchant Shipping Act of 1973, a law based mainly on United Kingdom legislation but subsequently revised and amended in 1986, 1988, 1990 and 2000. The main legislation is supplemented by a comprehensive set of rules and regulations.
Advantages include:
- ships may be registered in the name of legally constituted corporate bodies or entities irrespective of nationality, or by European Union citiziens;
- low company formation, ship registration and tonnage tax costs; progressive reduction in registration and tonnage tax costs for younger ships;
- attractive incentives to owners, registered charterers and financiers of Maltese ships of over 1,000 net tonnage; these incentives may also be extended to smaller ships;
- no restrictions on the nationality of the master, officers and crew;
- no restrictions on the sale or transfer of shares of a company owning Maltese ships;
- no restrictions on the sale and mortgaging of Maltese ships;
- no trading restrictions;
- preferential treatment to Maltese ships in certain ports;
- twenty four hour, seven days a week service in respect of urgent matters;
- Malta is an international maritime centre providing the whole range of maritime services.