Malta Ship Registry’s transition to fully electronic certification shows it is ‘sailing strong, leading global’

The Malta Ship Registry continues to consolidate its standing as a trusted and high-quality maritime flag, combining strong regulatory oversight with consistent, sustainable growth. In 2024, the Registry recorded 895 new vessel registrations, marking a 9.98 per cent increase over the previous year.

By March 2025, the Malta flag surpassed 10,000 registered vessels, including 1,234 superyachts and 1,994 merchant vessels, contributing to a total gross tonnage of 90.65 million.

This growth is underpinned by Malta’s robust legal and regulatory framework, which offers a stable and transparent environment for shipowners, financiers, managers, and seafarers. The Registry’s commitment to international maritime standards is reflected in its consistently low detention rates under Port State Control regimes.

In line with Malta’s national objectives for digital transformation and environmental responsibility, the Registry will transition to fully electronic certification as of 1st June 2025. This follows the successful digitalisation of seafarer documentation, with over 94,000 electronic certificates issued since 2021 across all ranks. The move represents a significant step in providing more accessible, efficient, and secure services to the global maritime community.

Looking ahead, the Malta Ship Registry remains committed to strengthening its reputation through international collaboration, innovation, and continued investment in quality. Malta is not only Europe’s largest shipping register by numbers, but is also a flag of confidence and reliability for the industry worldwide.