The Malta flag is today a flag of confidence, a flag of choice, its good standing evidenced both by the number of ship owning and ship management companies of repute which register their ships in Malta, and also by the confidence shown by the leading
international banks and financiers who frequently recommend the Maltese Register.
Malta offers to the international shipping community a thriving and reputable open ship register, one of the eight largest registries in the world.
Vessel registration under the Malta flag is regulated by the Merchant Shipping Act, a law based in the main on the United Kingdom legislation, subsequently revised and
amended. These amendments introduced important measures for control and added safeguards for the financiers thus making financing more attractive. Maltese law also 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.
Malta is a party to most of the major IMO and ILO International Maritime Conventions
and Malta registered ships are obliged to adhere to the provisions of these international conventions.
All types of vessels, from commercial ships and vessels under construction to cruise liners and pleasure yachts, may be registered.