Malta: Marine/ Shipping

Transport Malta has launched a voluntary safety certification scheme for pleasure yachts under 24 metres, establishing comprehensive guidelines covering vessel safety, operational standards, and pollution prevention.

The Malta Ship Registry has further strengthened its service offering through the introduction of Merchant Shipping Notice 206, establishing a more streamlined and flexible framework for the authentication of foreign documents. Effective from 13 May 2026, this development reinforces Malta’s standing as a modern, client-oriented maritime jurisdiction, while continuing to uphold strong standards of verification and accountability.

Transport Malta has introduced draft Pleasure Yacht Safety Guidelines that establish a voluntary framework enabling non-commercial yachts under the Malta flag to obtain formal safety certification for the first time.

The recent escalation of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz has once again brought into focus the vulnerability of global maritime trade to geopolitical developments in strategic chokepoints.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published the 2025–2026 Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table. This remains a key reference point for shipowners, managers, financial advisors and maritime service providers such as BDO Malta when assessing flag state credibility and performance.

Resident agents must collect certain documents from international owners, particularly those outside the EU and UK who own or intend to own non-commercial or pleasure vessels of 24 meters or more. Similar requirements apply to owners based in jurisdictions listed on the EU Sanctions Map, unless the owner is a bank, financial institution, or publicly listed company.

Malta continues to strengthen its reputation as a premier yacht flag state through two comprehensive regulatory frameworks: The Small Commercial Yacht Code (‘sCYC') 2024 and the newly announced Commercial Yacht Code...

Malta has long established itself as one of the world's leading maritime jurisdictions, with a ship and yacht register that attracts owners and operators globally.

Transport Malta's Merchant Shipping Directorate has published the revised Commercial Yacht Code (CYC) 2025, marking a significant update to the regulatory framework governing...