Classification Societies
A merchant vessel at the time and for the duration of its registration in Malta must be classed with a Classification Society authorised to issue statutory certificates on behalf of the Government of Malta. The following is a list of the classification societies recognized by the Malta Maritime Authority:
- American Bureau of Shipping
- Bureau Veritas
- China Classification Society
- Class NK
- Det Norske Veritas
- Germanischer Lloyd
- Korean Register Of Shipping
- Lloyd‘s Register of Shipping
- RINA
- Russian Maritime Register of Shipping
Furthermore, for the time being, Maltese ships classed with and certified by any of the classification societies listed hereunder may continue to be so classed and certified. However, new requests for classification with any of these societies shall be treated on a case-by-case basis. It is to be noted in this regard that, the principal place of business of the ship operators and the class of the ship during the previous twelve months shall be taken into consideration:
- Croatian Register of Shipping
- Polish Register of Shipping
- Hellenic Register of Shipping
Flag State inspections of Maltese ships are carried out regularly by inspectors appointed by the Administration in different ports worldwide. The inspections are in addition to the regular statutory surveys conducted by the classification societies and are carried out only on the specific instructions of the Directorate. There are no additional charges for these inspections except when the vessel has to undergo a second or subsequent inspection to ascertain that reported deficiencies have been corrected and, when a ship is inspected prior to provisional registration.