All types of vessels, from pleasure yachts to oil rigs, may be registered in the name of legally constituted corporate bodies or entities, irrespective of nationality, or by European Union citizens; a Maltese ship may also be bareboat charter registered under another flag.

There are niether trading restrictions nor age restrictions. However:

Ships of 15 years and over, but under 20 years, must pass an inspection by an authorised flag state inspector before or within a month of provisional registration; and

Ships of 20 years and over but less than 25 years , must pass an inspection by an authorised flag state inspector prior to being provisionally registered.
As a rule trading ships of 25 years and over are not registered.

The procedure for the registration of a vessel is relatively straightforward. Provisional registration, which in terms of the law has the same effect as the so-called permanent registration, can be effected very quickly. Authority to help a ship, however, will only be given once the Administration is satisfied that the vessel conforms to all the standards required by the relative international conventions.

Provisional registration has a validity of six months, although this can be extended by a further six months; by this time all the documentation has to be completed for permanent registration. This includes, in particular, evidence of ownership and of cancellation of former registry. Authority to operate still remains linked to conformity with the relative manning, safety and pollution prevention international standards.

Requirements for provisional registration:
An application for registration by the owner or an authorised representative accompanied;
if required, by an application for a change of name;
A copy of the ship's International Tonnage Certificate, where applicable;
Proof of qualification to own a Maltese ship; in the case of a body corporate, the memorandum     and articles of association.
A declaration of ownership made before the Registrar by the owner or an authorised                     representative;
Evidence of seaworthiness; in the case of trading vessels, confirmation of class;
Payment of initial and annual registration fees.

Documents to be submitted during provisional registration:
A builder's certificate, if the vessel has not been registered elsewhere; Otherwise a bill of sale or   any other document for registry.
A cancellation of registry certificate from the last country of registry, showing vessel to be free     from encumbrances or otherwise;
A Certificate of Survey and a copy of the international Tonnage Certificate certifying that the         vessel has been surveyed in accordance with Maltese regulations;
Evidence that the vessel has been marked in accordance with the law;
At least one crew list.

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 operation of 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.

Requirements for bareboat charter registration in Malta:
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 chartered or an authorised representatives;
A declaration of bareboat charter accompanied by the charter agreement;
A copy of the ship's International tonnage Certificate;
A transcript or an extract of the underlying registry, owners and any mortgages;
Evidence of seaworthiness, in the case of trading vessels, confirmation of class;
Payment of initial and annual registration fees.

Requirements for the bareboat charter registration of a Maltese ship under a foreign flag:
The ship is registered as a Maltese ship under the Merchant Shipping Act
The bareboat charter registry where the ship is to be registered is a compatible registry

The following documents must be produced:
An application for the bareboat charter registration in the foreign registry by the owner or an         authorised representative:
consent in writing of all the mortgages (if any)
A written undertaking by the owner to surrender the ship's Certificate of Malta flag during the       period of bareboat charter registration;
A copy of the bareboat charter party.

Consent for the bareboat charter registration of a Maltese ship in a foreign registry will be issued. The certificate of Malta Registry must be surrendered to the Registrar for the duration of the foreign bareboat charter registry.

Prior to and during the period of the ship's registration, merchant vessels must be classed with one of the following classification societies authorised to issue statutory certificates on behalf of the Maltese Government:

The following classification societies currently enjoy recognition applicable in certain circumstances on the specific authorisation of the Directorate:

Most of the vessels registered under the Malta flag have their radio accounts settled by large internationally recognised accounting authorities. All major authorities are recognised by the Maltese Administration.

Once a vessel is provisionally registered, registration, transfer and discharge of mortgages may be effected immediately on presentation of the relative documents to the Registrar.