Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Shipping in Malta

Fenech & Fenech Advocates

Lauded as ‘one of the standout firms in the jurisdiction’, Fenech & Fenech Advocates continues to have a strong reputation in wet and dry shipping matters arising in Malta and those arising out of Malta which require Maltese maritime law expertise. Major areas of strength range from salvage and collision claims to shipping finance, marine insurance and insolvency cases. Ann Fenech, who leads the marine litigation department, and head of ship finance Mark Fenech are esteemed figures in the market. Director Lara Saguna Axiaq heads the ship registration department, where director Rowena Grima is also a key contact; Alison Vassallo heads the yachting department; and Adrian Attard is also noted for marine litigation.

Practice head(s):

Ann Fenech; Mark Fenech; Alison Vassallo; Lara Saguna Axiaq


Other key lawyers:

Adrian Attard; Rowena Grima


Testimonials

‘One of the standout firms in the jurisdiction. I have found them to be consistently knowledgeable, responsive and quick to offer solutions.’

‘I worked with Mark Fenech on a financing transaction where he was very knowledgeable and responsive, and keen to assist in whatever manner required.’

‘The breadth and depth of experience is second to none. The team are extremely supportive and truly care about the client’s needs. They work flexibly to help achieve the necessary outcome. They can be relied upon to have great experience and a gentle guiding hand.’

Key clients

General National Maritime Transport Company


ENDO Tankers


Tug Malta Ltd


Virtu Ferries Ltd


Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A.


Orim Group


Work highlights


  • Assisting General National Maritime Transport Company with all the legal requirements and issues relating to its corporate structure and operations.
  • Assisting Endo Tankers with all its shipping law requirements, including the drafting of the ship sale and purchase agreements and charterparties, as well as assisting with any flag-related issues.
  • Advising Tug Malta Ltd in connection with substantial salvage claims and claims under its towage contracts, offering immediate casualty response advice.

Ganado Advocates

Highly experienced with very good knowledge of the law’, Ganado Advocates is a go-to firm for owners, operators and financiers, advising on all transactions concerning ships and yachts, the registration of vessels and of mortgages under the Malta flag, and yachting matters. Karl Grech Orr works with Jotham Scerri-DiaconoChristine Cassar Naudi and Daniel Aquilina on ship and yacht registration and financing. Matthew Attard and Matthew Xerri, who were promoted to partner in January 2023, and senior associates Caroline Risiott and Jan Rossi provide crucial support in financing transactions.

Practice head(s):

Karl Grech Orr; Jotham Scerri-Diacono; Daniel Aquilina; Christine Cassar Naudi


Other key lawyers:

Matthew Attard; Caroline Risiott; Matthew Xerri


Testimonials

‘Always very responsive and very knowledgeable. No nonsense – straight to the point and get the job done. Flexible on rates.’

‘Highly experienced with very good knowledge of the law, and very reliable – number one in the region.’

‘Jotham Scerri-Diacono is very reliable, speedy, confident in himself and his knowledge, and a very good communicator.’

‘Ganado is the firm of choice for any shipping-related queries. This is because from personal experience they excel in registering vessels under the Maltese flag, which is one of the most prestigious flag states in the world. Ganado has a longstanding and well-known shipping practice in Malta, and they have capitalised on their long years of experience to really master their trade and fully support their clients.’

‘Jotham Scerri Diacono delivers exceptional work, has deep knowledge of the sector and provides watertight legal advice.’

‘Clearly the leading shipping practice in Malta. The preferred choice for all kinds of shipping and ship finance-related assistance in the jurisdiction. Their commercial understanding puts them above and beyond competitors.’

‘Daniel Aquilina is always responsive and makes sure things happen. Matthew Xerri is very attentive and good on detail. Matthew Attard is excellent all round.’

‘Caroline Risiott is an outstanding lawyer and it is always a pleasure to work with her. She provides swift and concise advice.’

Camilleri Preziosi

At Camilleri Preziosi, Steve Decesare leads the practice, handling all matters relating to shipping, with fellow partner Andrei Vella lending additional support in ship finance transactions. Clients range from government authorities, banks and operators to ship and yacht owners. Ship finance is one its key specialist areas; the firm regularly supports international lenders, as well as local borrowers, in connection with the financing of new vessels or the acquisition or sale of second-hand vessels.

Practice head(s):

Steve Decesare


Other key lawyers:

Andrei Vella


Testimonials

‘They are the best law firm in the Maltese market for shipping finance. Very responsive, sensible and practical.’

‘Steve Descare is always very involved in the matter and offers proactive, practical and constructive advice to resolve any issues.’

Key clients

Grand Harbour Marina p.l.c.


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented Grand Harbour Marina p.l.c. in in rem proceedings commenced  against the vessel M/Y Nautonnier in relation to a breach of the berthing licence and a claim for damages.

Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates

Charlene Mifsud is the main contact at Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates‘ practice, which specialises in yacht-related work, specifically vessel sale and purchase, registration, tax issues and ship management.

Practice head(s):

Charlene Mifsud


Work highlights


  • Advising a shipping agency on the adoption of blockchain and smart contracts.
  • Assisting Oceanus Marine, a marine surveyor, in litigation relating to yacht valuation.
  • Advising numerous clients on yacht renewals and registrations under the Malta flag.

Mamo TCV Advocates

At Mamo TCV Advocates, practice head Nicholas Valenzia focuses on ship finance and management work, including matters relating to superyachts. He is the main contact for sale and purchase transactions, all tax matters relating to shipping, and the coordination of vessel repossession procedures on behalf of international credit institutions.

Practice head(s):

Nicholas Valenzia


Deguara Farrugia Advocates

At Deguara Farrugia Advocates, Kenneth Deguara‘s expertise spans from advising on vessel registration, sale and purchase to financing and securities, chartering and the enforcement of claims.

Practice head(s):

Kenneth Deguara


GTG Advocates

GTG Advocates‘ ship finance department advises local and foreign financiers and owners on all finance documents from a Maltese law perspective, including secured loan agreements, mortgages and leases, such as bareboat chartering and sale and leaseback transactions. The firm has recently seen a growth in registration work and yacht-related transactions. Robert Tufigno is the key contact.

Practice head(s):

Robert Tufigno


Testimonials

‘Very capable, hands-on and reasonably priced.’

‘More than average involvement. Robert Tufigno is very experienced and creative in solving problems.’

Key clients

Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale


National Bank of Greece


ABN AMRO Bank N.V.


Nova Marine Carriers


Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A.


ICCREA Banca Impresa


Marnavi S.p.A.


Ship Management and Support NV


Corner Banca SA


Medazur Yacht Leasing Company Limited


Yam Suf Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised ABN Amro Bank in relation to a supplemental agreement to a $26m loan agreement with the owners of a vessel as the result of a flag change, and provided the client with a Maltese legal opinion.
  • Advised Medazur Yacht Leasing Company Limited in relation to the importation of a Maltese yacht, notably on VAT-related matters.
  • Advised Yam Suf Ltd on the employment of seafarers, tax and social security-related matters, and the registration of a sailing yacht.

GVZH Advocates

GVZH Advocates is instructed on the purchase, sale and ongoing maintenance of luxury superyachts, as well as handling all registration formalities under the Malta flag. On the dispute resolution side of the practice, the firm handles claims relating to employment and social security issues for seafarers, the arrest of vessels, and the enforcement of claims against Malta-registered vessels and vessels situated within Maltese territorial waters. Michael Grech leads the team.

Practice head(s):

Michael Grech


Key clients

Sardaleasing S.p.A.


Albaleasing S.p.A.


Credemleasing S.p.A.


Unicredit Leasing S.p.A.


Work highlights


  • Acting for Sardaleasing S.p.A. in respect of all its registrations of yachts under the Maltese flag and also acting as its resident agent in respect of all its locally registered vessels.
  • Advising Credemleasing S.p.A in all its registrations of yachts under the Maltese flag and also acting as its resident agent in respect of all its locally registered vessels.
  • Acting for Unicredit Leasing S.p.A. in respect of all its registrations of yachts under the Maltese flag and also acting as its resident agent in respect of all its locally registered vessels.