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ARTICLE · 14 MAY 2026

A Year In Review: Registration Reforms And Digitalisation

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By virtue of Act I of 2025, significant amendments were introduced to Merchant Shipping Act (MSA) Chapter 234 of the Laws of Malta (‘The Amendments’)...

MaltaTransport
Dr. Nicholas Valenzia
Dr. Nicholas Valenzia
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By virtue of Act I of 2025, significant amendments were introduced to Merchant Shipping Act (MSA) Chapter 234 of the Laws of Malta (‘The Amendments’), reflecting Malta’s continued efforts to modernise its maritime legal framework and align itself with evolving international standards. As these amendments reach their first anniversary, this three-part series undertakes a review of the principal reforms introduced. The first part analyses the Finance Charter Instrument, the second part focuses on the Protection of Seafarers and the third part addresses the Merchant Shipping Act Amendments.

As part of our year in review of the Amendments, Part III concludes our year in review of the 2025 Merchant Shipping Act amendments, focusing on registration reforms and the move towards digital maritime administration.

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