Last week the government adopted a general authorisation regime for marine VHF radios installed on board vessels.

This means that marine VHF radios installed on fishing vessels, pleasure yachts, and other vessels no longer require a ship radio licence and that the relative annual renewal fee no longer applies, the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) explained.

The removal of the individual licence does not mean that the conditions of use of the equipment no longer apply. The conditions of use will continue to apply and these are now reflected in regulations established under the Radiocommunications Act (Cap. 49).

Owners of marine MF/HF radios and/or ship earth stations are informed that the licence fees for this type of equipment have changed.

The current radio licensing regime will continue to apply, however the annual licence fee has been reduced from €174.70 to €35.00 for vessels of less than 24 metres in length overall and to €115.00 for vessels equal to or more than 24 metres in length overall.

The same fees mentioned above also apply for ship owners who wish to be granted with a provisional operational/non-operational radio licence.

All types of maritime radio licences will be issued/renewed from the Merchant Shipping Directorate, Malta Maritime Authority, Maritime Trade Centre, Xatt l-Għassara ta' l-Għeneb, Marsa. The applicable fee is also to be remitted at the same office.

The MCA reminded that any fees in arrear up to December 31, 2007 need to be settled at the Department of Corporate Services, Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications, Evans Building, Merchants Street, Valletta, (ex-Wireless Telegraphy Department).

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