The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has compelled the European Union (EU) Member States to introduce border restrictions, amongst them curbs on or measures which heavily impede the cross-border circulation of goods.

The European Court of Justice ruled in the case C-631/17 SF v Inspecteur van de Belastingdienst that in cases of seafarers who maintain their residence in their Member State of origin...

Ships, yachts and all other vessels intending to obtain services in Maltese waters or within ports and harbours must seek prior port clearance.

A total of 7,109 mercantile vessels were registered with Transport Malta's ship registry as at end August 2015, with a gross tonnage of over 62 million.

The maritime industry in Malta is a major economic driver. Malta's strategic location in the Mediterranean Sea, its well-developed infrastructure, and its competitive costs have made it a popular choice...

The Malta Merchant Shipping Directorate has announced the entry into force of the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC), with effect from the 25th of May 2021.

The Directorate would like to remind all concerned to the entry into force on 1 March 2018, of the latest amendments to MARPOL Annex V adopted through Resolution MEPC.277 (70).

The end of 2020 saw the end of the Brexit transition period wherein the ties connecting the UK and the Lugano Convention 2007, which deals with jurisdiction issues and judgements' enforceability between its signatories, were cut.

Yachts imported in the European Union for commercial purposes need to undergo relative VAT and customs procedures to subsequently be imported in the European Union with the release of the relative import documentation ...

The Malta Ship Registry's policy has long been "quality shipping and ensuring that ships with a poor detention or safety and marine pollution record do not operate under the Malta flag".

In a judgment delivered on the 18th February 2016 in the case Pacific Seaways Shipbuilding Inc vs m.v. Kay, the Civil Court, First Hall, approved a private sale of a ship in favour of a mortgagee...

The European Commission has approved the revised Maltese tonnage tax scheme (exemption) under EU State rules for a period of 10 years, after an investigation and review lasting more than five years.

The Directorate wishes to draw the attention of all concerned to the Marine Safety Investigation Report No. 26/2017. This Report highlights the potential fire safety hazards ...

Budget airline Ryanair, as well as charter company Condor, won an EU court case, which annulled the European Commission's decision to approve German state aid given to Lufthansa Group.

The Merchant Shipping Directorate would like to draw the attention of all those concerned to the interpretation of rule 101 (1) (a) of the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) Rules.

Maltese authorities for transport recently launched the Malta Passenger Yacht Code

The Merchant Shipping Directorate has issued a revised Commercial Yacht Code ("CYC") 2025, which will replace the current CYC 2020.

Malta has continued to strengthen and streamline its aviation legal framework, through the coming into force of the Air Navigation Act, Cap. 641 of the Laws of Malta (the "Act"), on the 1st January, 2024.

Malta introduces Guidelines on Conversion of Yacht Status.

The Malta Ship Registry will start the issuance of electronic ship certificates for vessels registered under the Malta flag, effective June 1, 2025.