Malta is successfully attracting an increasing number of ships to its Register. The current registered tonnage makes Malta the eighth largest maritime flag in the world and the second largest in Europe after Greece. This is due to the fact that shipping organisations in Malta benefit from a number of incentives.

Advantages for shipping organisations

• The Malta Flag is a flag of confidence and enjoys “white flag” status.
• Exemption from income tax: complete tax exemption to owners, charterers and financiers of Maltese “tonnage tax ships”, which are vessels of at least 1,000 net tons. Vessels not satisfying the 1,000 net ton threshold could also be granted the status of "tonnage tax ships" by specific Ministerial approval.
• Complete exemption from stamp duties payable on the sale or transfer of a ship and the allotment of any share or stock of a company owning such a ship, exchange control, capital gains tax or VAT.
• No trade restrictions
• No restrictions on the nationality of masters, officers and crew
• No restrictions on the sale and mortgaging of Maltese ships
• Non-Maltese shipping companies are eligible to own and operate Malta flagged vessels.
• The Shipping Registry offers a 24-hour service, seven days a week in respect of urgent matters.
• Straightforward and quick company and vessel registration procedures.
• Low company formation and ship registration costs.

How to form a shipping organisation

A licensed shipping organisation is a tax efficient legal vehicle used to own and operate ships and vessels. A shipping organisation may operate as a limited liability company, a partnership, a trust or a foundation. The status "shipping organisation" is automatically conferred if the activities of the company consist of owning, operating, administering or managing vessels.

Malta flag vessels may be owned by a Maltese individual or company, by a foreign corporate body or any other entity which enjoys legal personality in terms of the law under which it has been established or constituted.

Non-Maltese corporate body owning Malta-flag vessel

If the Malta flag vessel is to be owned by a foreign corporate body or entity, the latter is required to appoint a resident agent in Malta to liaise with the MMA and act as agent of the international owner in respect of all matters pertaining to the upkeep of the vessel's register. In addition, the resident agent will act as the owner's judicial representative in Malta.

Our Services for Shipping Companies include:

• Incorporation and administration of Maltese shipping organisations
• Registration and STCW certification of Malta flag vessels
• Acting as resident agents for non-Maltese companies owning Malta-flag vessels
• Accounting
• Drafting and Registration of Ship Mortgages and related corporate and security documents
• Ship Sale and Purchase