The Malta Ship Registry caters for the registration of all types of vessels over 6 meters in length, from pleasure yachts to commercial vessels, even if these are still under construction, provided that these are owned by either European Union residents or body corporates established in Malta, although the ship registration process provides for other possibilities such as registering the vessel on an international owner and appointing a resident agent in Malta.

Any yacht registered under the Malta Flag is first registered provisionally for six months, which can be extended for further periods during which period all the required documentation needs to be submitted in good order to Transport Malta.

The documentation required to be filed for the provisional registration of a vessel, include:

• The submission by the owner or an authorised representative of the application for registration, including, if required, application for change of name of yacht;
• Proof of qualification to own a Maltese Yacht; in the case of a body corporate, the document of incorporation is required;
• In the case of non-resident owners a resident agent needs to be appointed;
• Where applicable, copy of the current yacht’s International Tonnage Certificate;
• Declaration of ownership made in front of the Registrar by the owner or an authorised representative;
• For Commercial yachts of more than 24 metres, application for Minimum Safe Manning Certificate;
• Application for Ship Radio Station Licence;
• Compliance with Commercial Yacht Code for operational certificate; and
• Payment of initial registration fees and annual tonnage tax.

During the Provisional registration the below set of documents must be submitted in order for the vessel to be permanently registered under the Malta Flag:

• Where there was previous ownership, a bill of sale or any other document by which the vessel was transferred to the applicant for registry; otherwise a builder’s certificate in the name of the applicant;
• Where applicable, cancellation of registry certificate issued by the Administration where the yacht was last documented;
• In cases of commercial yachts over 500 gross tonnes, copy of the last updated Continuous Synopsis Record issued by the Administration where the yacht was last documented;
• Certificate of Survey and a copy of the International Tonnage Certificate issued by an Appointed Surveyor or Recognised Organisation;
• Evidence that the yacht has been marked in accordance with law; and
• Where applicable, copy CE Marking Certificate.