Communications Minister Austin Gatt has ordered an inquiry into allegations over the registration of two ships under the Maltese merchant flag.

"The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications, Austin Gatt, has been informed of allegations that the identity of two ships carrying the flags of Bolivia was used to register under the Malta Flag two altogether different ships," the ministry said.

The ships registered under the Maltese flag are m/v Sharone I and m/v Gaja I.

The ministry said the inquiry is intended to:

"Investigate if all the legal provisions regarding registration of ships were observed in these two cases and if not to determine the parties responsible;

"Determine whether the alleged wrongdoing was from the Malta Maritime Authorities or from third parties and in the latter case to identify the said third parties; and

"Assess whether the alleged wrongdoing amounts to criminal liability."

Until the Inquiry is concluded, the Malta Maritime Authority has withheld the clearance of the two vessels.