Why Malta?
Through the enactment of the 1973 Merchant Shipping Act, the Malta Flag was formally established as an open register. This proved to be the catalyst which triggered Maltas steady success in the maritime industry. In fact, Maltas shipping registry is the largest in Europe and 6th largest in the world.
How was this achieved? To start with, Maltas heritage in the maritime sector has left it with substantial experience in all Maritime Law matters. This experience, coupled with the fact that Malta is on the low risk ship list (whitelist) of both the Paris MoU and the Tokyo MoU, makes the Malta Flag a reputable one. Moreover, Maltas straightforward registration procedure and effective tax minimisation structures in certain cases, continue to make Malta an attractive maritime law hub.
Why Chetcuti Cauchi?
Chetcuti Cauchi holds strong links with all sectors of shipping and maritime law and the firm has specialised lawyers in all shipping-related fields of law including ship finance, litigation and admiralty.
Chetcuti Cauchi is the preferred maritime law firm for banks, other financial institutions and ship-owners seeking the most effective and advantageous financing.
Our maritime law services include:
- yacht and ship registration under Maltese flag and overseas and dealings with related formalities;
- Malta bareboat charter registrations;
- incorporation of ship owning and ship management companies;
- structuring and tax planning
- marine mortgages and other form of securities;
- discharging of mortgages;
- ship sales and purchases;
- ship finance;
- chartering and leasing;
- drafting/review of security documentation
- syndicated bank loans; and
- generally advising financing institutions on security and mortgage enforcement matters as well as on other Maltese maritime law matters.
We regularly assist clients with regards to the registration of vessels under the Malta flag as well as with the registration of companies and other entities which own, manage or administer such vessels.
