The Maltese Registry of Ships has introduced Merchant Shipping Notice 206, offering a streamlined alternative for accepting foreign documents without full apostille or legalisation requirements.
Merchant Shipping Notice 206 (“Notice 206”) issued by the Maltese Registry of Ships (the “Registry”) streamlines the acceptance of foreign documents for shipping professionals while simultaneously maintaining safeguards.
A New Way Forward
On 13th May 2026, the Registry issued Notice 206, introducing a significant and practical reform as to how foreign documents are accepted.
Prior to the issuance of Notice 206, documents executed outside Malta, such as powers of attorney, had to go through the full notarisation and apostille/legalisation process. This meant obtaining an apostille from the relevant foreign authority or pursuing legalisation through Maltese diplomatic representation. While rigorous, this process could be time-consuming and costly, particularly for documents originating in jurisdictions where such bureaucratic steps are time-consuming and cumbersome.
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