Legal Notice 22 of 2015 introduced an amendment to the definition of international owners of Ships Eligible for Registration under Subsidiary Legislation 234.23 (‘the regulation’) and its provisions for ownership of a Maltese ship.
The definition of an individual international owner previously only included citizens of the European Union not residing in Malta. The new amendments extend this definition to include also citizens of the European Economic Area and Switzerland not residing in Malta.
Therefore, following this amendment, any Maltese or European Union citizen or any citizen of the European Economic Area or of Switzerland, and any company registered in Malta or validly registered in any other reputable jurisdiction may register a vessel under the Malta flag provided that a resident agent is appointed if the owner is not resident in Malta or in the case of an entity, if it does not have its registered office in Malta.