Shipping and Aviation
The solid reputation of the Maltese flag in the maritime industry is represented by the fact that Malta has one of the largest shipping registers in the world and, with 850 vessels bigger than 24m, the largest superyacht register worldwide.
The various initiatives which Malta has introduced to boost aircraft registration and its support of diverse sectors in the aviation industry, including, but not limited to, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations, back-office setups, research and development and the production of aircraft components, indicates Malta’s enthusiasm for the aircraft register to follow in the footsteps of the shipping register.
The 2010 merger of the previously independent entities responsible for civil aviation, maritime and land transport into Transport Malta supports Malta’s drive towards maintaining and growing the Malta flag attractiveness in the maritime and aviation sectors.
David Zahra & Associates Advocates is well positioned to assist with a broad spectrum of services in relation to shipping and aviation, including by providing technical and administrative support with all stages of ship and aircraft registration in Malta, the setting up of the required corporate structures connected with the aircraft and shipping operations and the provision of advice in relation to the relevant tax matters.
Shipping
The Merchant Shipping Act (Chapter 234 of the Laws of Malta) regulates the registration and operation of vessels under the Malta flag and is based on its English Law counterpart. Under the Merchant Shipping Act, any type of vessel (including but not limited to oilrigs, platforms, barges etc) may be registered in the Maltese Shipping Registry and fly the Malta Flag. Furthermore, the Merchant Shipping Act also allows for bareboat charter registration for foreign ships under the Malta Flag and also for the bareboat charter registration of Maltese ships under a foreign flag.
The Malta flag affords a number of benefits, including but not limited to the following:
– A straight forward procedure for registering vessels, low ship registration costs, and an efficient system of obtaining a deletion certificate and closure of registry.
– A competent authority, backed by a qualified and efficient team of technical experts available for urgent matters 24/7.
– No restrictions as to nationality of corporate owners, nor on the nationality of shareholders and directors of Maltese shipping companies.
– Reputation of the Malta flag as a flag of confidence with a serious and competent maritime administration that is active on international shipping fora.
– A consistently low detention record in terms of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control.
– Malta is a member of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) since 1966, and of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It is also a party to the major IMO and ILO conventions.
– Low effective VAT on Yachts.
– An attractive fiscal regime (see Taxation).
Aviation
– Accession to the Cape Town Convention – The provisions of the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and its Aircraft Protocol have been implemented in the Aircraft Registration Act. The Cape Town Convention provides financiers with the peace of mind of clear prior ranking over the aircraft and engines in case of insolvency of the borrower or operator and allows them to exercise self-help remedies directly without recourse to the courts. As a result of the advantage of mitigating financial risk, interest rates charged are typically lower, resulting in reduced financing and leasing costs borne by purchasers or operators of aircraft in Malta, generally referred to as ‘Cape Town Discounts’.
The solid reputation of the Maltese flag in the maritime industry is represented by the fact that Malta has one of the largest shipping registers in the world and, with 850 vessels bigger than 24m, the largest superyacht register worldwide.
The various initiatives which Malta has introduced to boost aircraft registration and its support of diverse sectors in the aviation industry, including, but not limited to, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations, back-office setups, research and development and the production of aircraft components, indicates Malta’s enthusiasm for the aircraft register to follow in the footsteps of the shipping register.
The 2010 merger of the previously independent entities responsible for civil aviation, maritime and land transport into Transport Malta supports Malta’s drive towards maintaining and growing the Malta flag attractiveness in the maritime and aviation sectors.
David Zahra & Associates Advocates is well positioned to assist with a broad spectrum of services in relation to shipping and aviation, including by providing technical and administrative support with all stages of ship and aircraft registration in Malta, the setting up of the required corporate structures connected with the aircraft and shipping operations and the provision of advice in relation to the relevant tax matters.
Shipping
The Merchant Shipping Act (Chapter 234 of the Laws of Malta) regulates the registration and operation of vessels under the Malta flag and is based on its English Law counterpart. Under the Merchant Shipping Act, any type of vessel (including but not limited to oilrigs, platforms, barges etc) may be registered in the Maltese Shipping Registry and fly the Malta Flag. Furthermore, the Merchant Shipping Act also allows for bareboat charter registration for foreign ships under the Malta Flag and also for the bareboat charter registration of Maltese ships under a foreign flag.
The Malta flag affords a number of benefits, including but not limited to the following:
– A straight forward procedure for registering vessels, low ship registration costs, and an efficient system of obtaining a deletion certificate and closure of registry.
– A competent authority, backed by a qualified and efficient team of technical experts available for urgent matters 24/7.
– No restrictions as to nationality of corporate owners, nor on the nationality of shareholders and directors of Maltese shipping companies.
– Reputation of the Malta flag as a flag of confidence with a serious and competent maritime administration that is active on international shipping fora.
– A consistently low detention record in terms of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control.
– Malta is a member of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) since 1966, and of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It is also a party to the major IMO and ILO conventions.
– Low effective VAT on Yachts.
– An attractive fiscal regime (see Taxation).
Aviation
– Accession to the Cape Town Convention – The provisions of the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and its Aircraft Protocol have been implemented in the Aircraft Registration Act. The Cape Town Convention provides financiers with the peace of mind of clear prior ranking over the aircraft and engines in case of insolvency of the borrower or operator and allows them to exercise self-help remedies directly without recourse to the courts. As a result of the advantage of mitigating financial risk, interest rates charged are typically lower, resulting in reduced financing and leasing costs borne by purchasers or operators of aircraft in Malta, generally referred to as ‘Cape Town Discounts’.
Yacht Management
David Zahra & Associates Advocates can provide clients with yacht management services through the services of FW Yachting Consultancy.
FW Yachting Consultancy is owned and managed by Frank Willems who has considerable experience in yachting and shipping matters.
Our offices will handle the preparation and submission of all official documents relating to the Malta flag.
Frank Willems
Since 2013 Owner/Director of FW Yachting Consultancy Ltd Malta
Yacht management
Yachting services
Corporate member Be.Yachting
2012 Owner’s representative / Skipper
MY Grappa
MY Absolute
2011 Yacht Manager Luxemburg Marine Services ( LMS )
Certificate SSO –ISPS ( International Ship and Port Facility Security )
Certificate SSO – ISM ( International Safety Management )
Certificate PSC ( Port State Control )
Certificate MLC 2006 ( Maritime Labour Convention )
2010 Certificate Master Unlimited Commercial Yachting 500GT
Antwerp Maritime Academy
GMDSS Certificate
Vlissingen Maritime Academy
1987-2009 Navigation Officer Belgian Navy
O/b minehunters, minesweepers
2xCutty Sark Tall Ships Race : o/b sailing vessel Zenobe Gramme
STANAVFORCHAN ( NATO standing naval forces channel )
US Navy VI th fleet
Reserve fleet
1987 Belgian Navy Application School and practical training on sea
Certificate Officer of the watch on sea.
1982-1986 Antwerp Maritime Academy
Certificate Officer Merchant Navy
Certificate Radio Operator
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© 2022 – DAVID ZAHRA & ASSOCIATES ADVOCATES
Designed and developed by Blonde and Giant
© 2022 – DAVID ZAHRA & ASSOCIATES ADVOCATES
Designed and developed by Blonde and Giant