The Malta Commercial Yacht Code (CYC)

The Commercial Yacht Code sets the safety, equipment, crewing and survey standard a yacht needs before it can carry paying guests. The 2020 code has been succeeded by a 2025 edition, reported to have taken effect on 1 July 2025; check the edition that applies to your yacht with Transport Malta.

Commercial yachts with a load line length of 24 metres or more, carrying no more than 12 passengers. Smaller commercial yachts come under the Small Commercial Yacht Code.

Commercial yachts below 24 metres are not required to be classed under the synopsis of the code; larger yachts follow the classification and manning expectations of the code, including a minimum safe manning certificate for commercial yachts over 24 metres.

The yacht is registered commercially, surveyed against the code and certified; the operating entity registers for charter VAT and holds the licences needed where the charter takes place. The order of these steps affects when charter can begin.

Large yachts are commonly handled under the same code and the same registry process, with a larger survey and documentation scope. See the superyacht guide.

Send the yacht's details and intended use and we will map the file to the code that applies. Rules, codes and fees are set by Transport Malta and change; the official pages are the reference. This guide explains how the pieces fit together and does not replace legal advice.