Yachting Services in Malta

Backed by our expertise, high level of service, our dedication as well as our contacts within the super yacht industry in Malta, CSB Group is uniquely able to offer an integrated service for our clients’  yachting requirements. As a one-stop shop, CSB Group is one of the Malta-based specialists in yacht services with the necessary expertise to handle a variety of services including the registration under the Malta Flag as a Private yacht or a Commercial yacht.

Yachting in Malta

Malta has, for years, been a maritime nation of repute. Its strategic location in the centre of the Mediterranean, natural harbours, and extensive range of maritime services have contributed to making Malta a leading maritime hub. The island’s location has given it great strategic importance and Malta is now recognised as being an entree-port to the European Union.

Malta has retained its importance in the  yachting world not only because of its geographic location but also because it offers attractive and competitive incentives, thereby making Malta one of the top flags in the world. Malta’s solid roots as a maritime settlement continue to enhance and expand the island’s footing in the maritime industry.

Besides offering world class berthing facilities to the super yacht industry, Malta offers yacht owners several attractive solutions. As a one-stop shop, CSB Group, via their dedicated team can provide the required professional and dedicated assistance on temporary importation, onward supply relief,  yacht registration and VAT-efficient finance leasing structures to name a few.

Our Yachting Services

CSB Group’s maritime practice enjoys wide professional recognition, placing us amongst the leaders in Maltese yacht registration and finance transactions in Malta. We provide a comprehensive package of legal and advisory services pertaining to all aspects of yachting, including the sale, purchasing and leasing of yachts, company formation, registration of vessels, and the drafting of any necessary documents amongst others.

When someone decides to buy a yacht, one of the most significant factors is deciding on where to register it. The Maltese registry is one of the largest registries in the world, and this has not happened by chance, as it has been accomplished through the constant development, growth, and regulation of the industry over the past decades. The Maltese Flag is today considered a flag of excellence.

Furthermore, CSB Group will be able to assist you with the necessary ongoing administrative work concerning the regulatory, technical and administrative upkeep of Malta flagged yachts and their respective owning companies being either Maltese or international owners.

FAQs

What are the advantages of flying the Malta Flag?

Who may register a yacht/vessel under the Malta Flag?

Under Maltese law, yachts may be owned and registered by any Maltese, EU/EEA or Swiss national or company, or any third country national who enjoys legal personality to the satisfaction of the registrar of shipping. Maltese companies are considered to be good ownership vehicles for yachts. This is due to the fact that Maltese companies may be established by any person, whatever nationality, for the purpose of yacht ownership. The owner, through the company, must be clearly identifiable, and non-Maltese owners would have to appoint a Maltese resident agent to liaise with authorities. Once a yacht is registered in the Maltese registry there are no restrictions on the nationalities of the persons manning the yacht, and where the yacht may sail to.

What type of yacht registrations are available under the Malta Flag?

There are two main types of yacht registrations under Maltese Law – Commercial Registrations or Pleasure Registrations. Notably, a commercial yacht must be of at least twelve (12) meters in length and must undergo a survey by an approved surveyor (by the Authority for Transport in Malta) and must be in compliance with the applicable commercial yacht codes drawn up by the Merchant Shipping Directorate within Transport Malta.

Primarily, a yacht would be provisionally registered for six (6) months, following which permanent registration is affected. As a testament to Transport Malta’s efforts to maintain the Maltese jurisdiction’s high standards and efficiency in relation to the yachting services offered, the process for registering a yacht under the Maltese flag is not too complex and CSB Group would assist from start to finish to ensure a smooth process. The estimated timeframe for completion of the registration process depends highly on the time it takes the yacht owner/manager/resident agent to compile all the necessary documentation needed to be submitted to Transport Malta. Once all documentation is in order and duly submitted, the process may be concluded within a few days.

Apart from all the benefits previously mentioned, it may be noted that the administration, apart from being extremely efficient, is serious and performs the task at hand professionally. One must also keep in mind that due to Malta’s size, and because of how the system is set up, it is easy to access both decision makers and key officials. These facts, coupled with the highly active participation of Maltese stakeholders in the international maritime fora, create a sterling registry for yachts to be registered under.

What are the advantages of registering a commercial yacht under the Malta Flag?

1. No trading restrictions imposed on Maltese registered commercial yachts;
2. The Malta Flag is highly respected by all registries and port authorities worldwide due to the flag’s thorough checks and balances, and adherence to the IMO regulations;
3. Fast crew-acknowledgement certification process with STCW endorsements processed within a maximum period of three (3) months from acknowledgement;
4. The Malta Flag ensures that safety regulations are maintained, offering peace of mind for owners, operators, and passengers, with clear guidelines for equipment and operational procedures;
5. Owners can demonstrate that their yacht is compliant with Malta's trusted regulatory framework, improving their vessel's marketability and reputation in the industry;
6. For yachts involved in charter operations, the Malta flag provides a clear and efficient path to meet commercial standards, which is crucial for offering legal and professional charter services;
7. The Small Commercial Yacht Code (sCYC) streamlines the regulatory requirements for smaller commercial yachts, reducing the complexity of compliance while still maintaining high safety and operational standards, thereby making it a cost-effective choice for yacht owners and operators.

Should you have any questions or require any clarifications please get in touch with us on [email protected] so that we would be able to guide and advise you further.