The Malta Passenger Yacht Code (PYC)

The Passenger Yacht Code was adopted for Malta-flagged commercial yachts that intend to carry more than 12 passengers, which the Commercial Yacht Code does not allow. It entered into force on 25 May 2021. A passenger yacht under the Malta flag still has to meet SOLAS and the other applicable conventions; the code provides dedicated equivalencies in place of requirements the Flag Administration considers disproportionately onerous for a yacht of this kind.

Commercial yachts that carry more than 12 and up to 36 passengers, with no more than 200 persons on board in total, that do not carry cargo and that are engaged on international voyages. Yachts carrying 12 passengers or fewer remain under the Commercial Yacht Code or, for 12 to under 24 metres, the Small Commercial Yacht Code.

Passenger ships carrying more than 36 passengers, vessels ferrying passengers, and yachts carrying cargo come under other regimes. A yacht that stays berthed or at anchor may, with a statement from the Flag Administration, be allowed to hold static charters with more guests; that is decided case by case.

A passenger yacht is surveyed, audited and certified by Recognised Organisations, which issue the class and statutory certificates. An existing Malta-flagged commercial yacht can convert to a passenger yacht if it meets the PYC and the passenger ship conventions that apply.

The yacht is registered commercially under the Malta flag like any other charter yacht, with the survey and certification evidence the PYC requires added to the file. Owner eligibility and the resident agent follow the normal rules.

Tell us the yacht's length, the number of passengers you intend to carry and where it will operate, 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.