The Maltese Merchant Shipping Directorate has issued a Notice
for ship operators, owners and managers that will enter into force
on the 1st February 2016. The Directorate issued the Notice after
recently revising a set of guidelines about the determination of
seaworthiness according to the Merchant Shipping Act.
Under Maltese law, a wide range of marine vessels can be
registered under the Maltese flag, however a vessel will only
be admitted to the register if it satisfies a number of
requirements, one of which is its seaworthiness.
Seaworthiness is the vessel's condition and suitability of
transporting cargo on any voyage conducted under terms of a
contract.
In general, vessels that are over 25 years of age would not be
admitted for
registration under the Malta flag, however the Directorate will
consider registration applications for ships that meet one of the
following requirements:
