More than 70 professionals attended the Malta Maritime Law Association’s seminar on the updated Commercial Yacht Code.
Malta has just issued a revision of the code which will serve the needs of the yachting industry better while allowing for its developing technological advancements in conformity with international regulations and safety standards.
After an opening address by MMLA president Ann Fenech, Karl Briffa, flag and port state control inspector at Transport Malta’s Merchant Shipping Directorate explained that the concept behind the Malta Commercial Code.
Launched in 2006 and amended in 2010, the code aimed to offer a proposition to owners and superyacht operators looking for a serious regulatory framework within which to register their yachts commercially.
He explained how the code has been developed on industry established standards bringing together solutions for both yachts below and above 24 metres. Commercial yachts registered under the Maltese flag has increased especially since 2006, with more than 150 yachts with an average length of 30 metres registered as commercial yachts.
The Updated Commercial Yacht Code 2010 will apply to commercial yachts the keels of which are laid or which are registered under the Malta flag from January 2011. Commercial yachts registered under the Malta Flag whose keels were laid before January 1, 2011, must comply with the requirements of the code by the first survey due on or after March 1 but by not later than December 31.
Paul Cardona of Marine Industrial Consultancy Services highlighted the differences between the Maltese Code and other Codes, particularly the MCA Code. Given his extensive experience, he was able to share instances which threw light onto the manner in which owners, yards, classification societies and various administrations need to act and interact.
MMLA (www.mmla.org.mt) is a non-profit making voluntary organisation and a member of the Antwerp-based Comité Maritime International. Its members hail from various sectors of the local maritime industry. Its next seminar is planned for September or October.