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Joseph Fenech, Shipping Executive within Fenech Farrugia Fiott Legal was recently interview by Skipper Magazine, an internationally renowned boats and yachting publication, in their 2021 Summer Edition.

VAT treatment for yachts is a crucial consideration for owners, whether the vessel is used for private pleasure or commercial purposes.

With the implementation of the Companies Act (Shipping and Aviation Cell Companies) Regulations (S.L. 386.22) in June 2020...

Malta's Commercial Court has been re-established as a superior court with extensive jurisdiction over commercial disputes, maritime matters, aviation claims, and intellectual property cases. The reform introduces significant changes to how commercial litigation will be handled, though certain aspects of the Court's scope remain subject to interpretation. Practitioners must carefully navigate the new jurisdictional framework to ensure cases are filed in the appropriate forum.

The EU adopted its 14th sanctions package on 24 June 2024, and Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1745 has introduced several new restrictive measures affecting shipping as well as the energy sector...

On the 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation announced that the novel Corona Virus was being treated as a world pandemic.

The term 'Maritime Malta' perfectly describes Malta – a country which has always had close connections with the sea and maritime sector.

What, if any, are the restrictions on ownership of vessels registered under the flag of Malta?

Vessel registration under the Malta flag and the operation of Maltese ships is regulated by the Merchant Shipping Act of 1973, a law based mainly on United Kingdom legislation but subsequently revised and amended in 1986, 1988, 1990 and 2000.

One of the major attractions of the Maltese flag to financing banks is the ease and efficiency with which mortgages are registered over Malta-flagged vessels and the relative simplicity with which mortgage security rights can be enforced in terms of Maltese law.

International shipping which is crucial for global trade, is responsible for about 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published the 2025–2026 Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table. This remains a key reference point for shipowners, managers, financial advisors and maritime service providers such as BDO Malta when assessing flag state credibility and performance.

The global tourism industry was brought to a halt as COVID-19 restrictions saw holidays being cancelled ‘en masse' last year.

Throughout the years, Malta has developed a working regulatory platform which enabled it to become one of the most prestigious homeports in the world.

Malta's comprehensive maritime legal framework governs marine casualties through domestic legislation and international conventions, establishing clear protocols for investigations, liability determinations, and wreck removal. Understanding the interplay between the Merchant Shipping Act, international conventions like SOLAS and the Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention, and Malta's unique position as a major flag state is essential for shipowners, P&I clubs, and maritime practitioners navigating casualty respon

Whilst it is safe to say that the process of registering of a Commercial Vessel under the Maltese flag is very similar to that which would need to be followed for the registration of private pleasure vessels in Malta, ...

Aviation in Malta