- New Seaworthiness Criteria for Maltese Ships Under the 2025 Act
- Older Ships Face Stricter Registration Rules Under New Guidelines
- Pre-Registration Inspection Fees Announced for Maltese Ships
Transport Malta has issued a notice on the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Act, 2025, that brings into force new requirements for the registration and seaworthiness of Maltese vessels, reports Safety4Sea.
Registration and Seaworthiness Requirements
The Directorate amended its guidelines to determine the seaworthiness of ships applying for Maltese registration, as per Article 12(a) of the Merchant Shipping Act. In general, merchant vessels older than 20 years old will not be registered, but vessels under 20 years old can be considered eligible, subject to certain conditions. These conditions include being classed or having their classing under process with a Recognised Organisation (RO), having a current class survey status report, and having confirmation that the vessel can be issued with the appropriate statutory certificates without any reservations.
Inspection for Older Ships
For ships older than 15 years, registration will involve inspection by an approved flag State inspector, which can be done in a dry-dock. If the inspection is carried out at registration, a non-operational provisional certificate only will be granted. For ships between 10 and 15 years old, the inspection should take place within one month of registration. Owners can choose a pre-registration inspection if preferred.
Pre-Registration Inspection Fees
Pre-registration inspection fees are: €500 for ships less than 24 meters, €1,500 for ships less than 500 gross tons, €3,000 for ships belonging to companies with 5 or more ships under the Malta flag, and €5,000 for ships more than 500 gross tons but not in the above categories. These should be paid before the inspection, and other expenses, such as travel expenses or additional inspections, will be charged separately.
Final Decision on Registration
The Directorate makes the final decision on the registration and seaworthiness of ships and has complete discretion in the process.
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Source: Safety4Sea
