Maltese law provides both for bareboat charter registration of foreign ships under the Malta flag and also for the bareboat charter registration of Maltese ships under a foreign flag.

Vessels so registered enjoy the same rights and privileges, and have the same obligations, as any other ship registered in Malta.

The two main principles adopted at law on bareboat charter registration are, the compatibility of the two registries, and, that matters regarding title over the ship, mortgages and encumbrances are governed by the underlying registry, while the vessel falls under the jurisdiction of the bareboat charter registry.

A bareboat charter registration shall be for the duration of the bareboat charter or until the expiry date of the underlying registration, whichever is the shorter, but in no case for a period exceeding two years. Registration may be extended.

The requirements for bareboat charter registration in Malta are:

• The ship must be bareboat chartered to Maltese citizens or Maltese bodies corporate;

• The ship is not a Maltese ship, and is registered in a compatible registry;

• The ship is not registered in another bareboat registry;

The following documents must be produced:

• an application for registration by the charterer or an authorised representative;

• a declaration of bareboat charter accompanied by the charter agreement;

• a transcript or an extract of the underlying registration;

• a copy of the ship’s International Tonnage Certificate;

• the consent in writing of the underlying registry owners and mortgagees;

• evidence of seaworthiness; in the case of trading vessels, confirmation of class;

• payment of initial and annual registration fees.