What is company formation?
A vessel owning company is a Maltese limited company incorporated to hold a single vessel.
Owning through a company separates the vessel's liabilities from the owner's personal assets, keeps the owner's name off the vessel's public record, makes succession a transfer of shares rather than of the vessel itself, and gives the flag administration an eligible Maltese owner regardless of the beneficial owner's nationality. It is also the entity a lender takes security from and, for a chartered vessel, the entity that registers for VAT.
Who is it for?
Non-Maltese owners
Where an eligible Maltese owner is needed for registration.
Owners wanting liability separation
Keeping the vessel's exposure away from personal assets.
Families planning succession
Where the vessel should pass by share transfer.
Commercial operators
Where an operating entity is needed for charter and VAT.
What you get
- Limited-liability vessel ownership.
- Privacy and clean succession planning.
- Registered office, company secretary and compliance.
- Banking introductions.
- Incorporation in a few working days, entirely remotely.
How the process works
Structure
We confirm the shareholding and the right company type.
Incorporation
We register the company with the Malta Business Registry.
Setup
We arrange the registered office, the secretary and tax and VAT registration.
Banking
We introduce suitable banking partners.
Requirements
- KYC on every beneficial owner and director.
- A company name, and the intended shareholding.
- A registered office and company secretary in Malta, which we provide.
- Ongoing annual filings, which we handle under compliance and renewals.
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
- Passport copy and proof of address for each beneficial owner
- Company incorporation documents, where the owner is a company
- Proof of address for each director and shareholder
- Bank reference, where required for account opening
- The intended shareholding and share capital
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.