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ARTICLE · 20 MAY 2025

Malta Ship Registry Launches Electronic Certification For Maritime Vessels

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Effective June 1, 2025, the Malta Ship Registry will begin issuing electronic certificates for all Maltese-registered vessels, as outlined in Merchant Shipping Notice 193.

MaltaTransport
Sarah M. Vella
Sarah M. Vella

Electronic Certification

Effective June 1, 2025, the Malta Ship Registry will begin issuing electronic certificates for all Maltese-registered vessels, as outlined in Merchant Shipping Notice 193. This initiative is in line with the International Maritime Organization's guidelines (FAL.5/Circ.39/Rev.2) and reflects Malta's commitment to enhancing administrative efficiency, security, and environmental sustainability in maritime operations.

The newly introduced electronic certificates will carry the same legal standing as their physical counterparts under the Merchant Shipping Act. They are designed with advanced security features to prevent unauthorized alterations and ensure authenticity. Each certificate will be delivered in PDF format via email to the applicant's specified address, significantly reducing the dependency on physical documentation. A key innovation is the incorporation of a QR code in place of the traditional handwritten signature. This QR code

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