Malta's ship register largest in Europe

Steve Schembri

Jan 20th 2012, 19:07

That is probably the largest factor that Malta has the largest ship register in Europe of rust buckets, sure you pay and get the flag no need to see "certain" ship.

David Galea

Jan 20th 2012, 14:48

again, it is a case of getting your facts straight - the monitoring requirements over vessels for flags are enshrined in laws and conventions that the maltese register abides by. The Maltese register, any register actually, does not do it on it's own, it does so together with and reliant upon a network of surveyors who are authorised to act on behalf of the flag (their expertise is vetted, once you ask) as well as the International Association of Classification Societies (a limited group of classification societies which, amongst other things, monitor the safety of vessels at sea in accordance with international law). Again, each individual classification society is vetted by the register and empowered to act on it's behalf in issuing safety certificates etc.. The daily upkeep of a vessel is ultimately an owner's responsibility, and with many businesses, there will be those who cut corners ... some corners can be cut without a huge fuss, others mean that classifications societies and the registers come down on that owner like a ton of bricks to make sure that the relevant problems are remedied. Owners and their ships have in some cases been chucked off the register for repeated failures in compliance.

If you're worried about liability then this is a time where for the register their liability is probably at its lowest. Do you remember the Prestige Mr. Sammut? Did any moneys come out of your pocket/taxes in order to pay for that, or did you incur any liability as a result thereof?

Shipping is an incredibly regulated industry, and amongst those regulations the flag states are some of the enforcers, and also some of the targets of that regulation ... think before you speak ...

Mr Joe Micallef

Jan 20th 2012, 12:48

xxxxxxxx ghax tqajjem lil Debono

M. Degiorgio

Jan 20th 2012, 13:02

Very true, but then again, there are also people who still think the world is flat...
In reality over the years the Maltese Flag has evolved into a serious shipping registry, People in the field since the past 25 years can testify to this, not to mention being on the white list which is a certificate on itself.

Charlie S

Jan 20th 2012, 13:40

Dear Mr. Balzan,

Kindly look up the definition of "flag of convenience". It does not imply that it attracts shady and dubious shipping companies but rather that it registers vessels owned by foreigners under the Maltese flag, instead of vessels solely owned by Maltese nationals. Our registry was cleaned up many years back. The shady and dubious registries are the black listed ones, and Malta most certainly is not one of them.

David Galea

Jan 20th 2012, 14:08

I would get your facts right first - "flag of convenience" is a term of art in the shipping industry used to define registers that were not the traditional national registers that placed substantial restrictions on ownership or operation of vessels flagged thereunder (like UK flag, German flag, Greek flag or French flag). The term "flag of convenience" therefore encompasses flags like Bahamas whose safety record is excellent, and Malta, whose safety record has been improving year on year. What you say may have been right 10-15 years ago when numbers were more important than quality but the registry has since shifted focus and has turned down a number of owners who do not meet the stringent specifications. Malta has developed a reputation as a quality maritime flag and a leading maritime nation and Transport Malta are working very hard to keep that up. Credit needs to be given where it is due. The quality of service over the years has also improved markedly and the MMA (as it was previously known) and TM have taken on the challenge set by their competitors. There is still some way to go but we are already in an excellent place.

Steve Gruppetta

Jan 20th 2012, 14:12

"Not every applicant vessel made it to Malta's register and there was a rigorous process which had to be followed."

I don't think that the Maltese flag is a flag of convenience as you are saying. This success is simply our success and all of us should stop complaining, moaning and writing ridiculous comments on the Times regarding everything that is happening on these God forsaken islands.

M Sciberras

Jan 20th 2012, 14:15

Well it is hot air that generates jobs and money for malta then .....and fodder for inferiority complex, chip on the shoulder types to feed on...... The registry includes reputable companies that carry much of the worlds trade for your info. To compare the Maltese registry to that of Liberia, which is what you are implying is to slander the country and the lawyers and accountants who have created this business for the wider benefit of malta. Imma ghall x'ihud, l-aqwa mmaqdru l-malta ghax forsi mghandhomx hila jaghmlu distinzjoni bejn politika partigana u pajjiz li miexi lquddiem u mhuwiex d dizastru totali li forsi jixtiequ.......

Joseph Grech

Jan 20th 2012, 14:47

I totally agree with you.