What is mortgage registration & marine finance?
A statutory mortgage is a security interest registered against the vessel on the flag state's register.
Because it is recorded publicly and ranks by registration, a lender can see exactly where it stands — which is why the quality of a registry's mortgage regime matters so much in ship finance. Malta's regime is well ranked and creditor-friendly, and the register handles registration, transfer between lenders, amendment and discharge across the life of the loan.
Who is it for?
Owners financing a purchase
Where a bank's security has to be registered at closing.
Owners refinancing
Where an existing mortgage is discharged and a new one registered.
Lenders
Banks and finance houses taking security over a Malta-flagged vessel.
Vessels being re-flagged
Where a mortgage moves between registries — see change of flag.
What you get
- Statutory mortgage registration and discharge.
- A creditor-friendly Malta mortgage regime.
- Financing and refinancing documentation.
- Lender and bank liaison.
- Coordination with the sale or the re-flag it sits alongside.
How the process works
Review
We review the finance terms and the security package.
Documentation
We prepare the mortgage and security documents.
Registration
We register the statutory mortgage against the vessel.
Lifecycle
We manage amendments, transfers and discharge.
Requirements
- A registered vessel, or a registration completing simultaneously.
- Executed finance and security documentation.
- Consent and cooperation of any existing mortgagee, on a refinancing.
- Corporate authority from the owning company to grant the security.
Please note. Eligibility is assessed case by case by the Malta flag administration. Send us the vessel details and we will confirm what applies to you before you commit.
Documents you will need
- Loan and security documentation
- Deed of covenants, where the financing uses one
- Corporate resolutions and authority of the owning company
- Existing mortgage and discharge documentation, on a refinancing
- Certificate of registry and transcript of register
Please note. Indicative list. The exact file the registry asks for depends on the vessel, its age and the regime it is registered under — we confirm your list in writing before anything is filed.