Latest Updates
Court of Appeal Clarifies Liability of “Merchant” Under Bills of Lading
Vassallo Associates is pleased to share the outcome of a significant judgement delivered by the Court of Appeal (Civil, Superior Jurisdiction) on 2 February 2026, providing important clarification on the interpretation of the term "Merchant" as defined in bills of...
The M/T Heroic Idun Judgement: What the Landmark ITLOS Decision Means for Shipowners, Insurers and Maritime Disputes
The recent judgement of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in the M/T Heroic Idun case represents one of the most significant developments in international maritime law in recent years. The decision provides valuable guidance on the...
Static Charter: A Summer Opportunity for Malta-Flagged Yachts
As the summer yachting season reaches its peak, many yacht owners and operators wish to maximise the use of their vessels by accommodating additional day passengers while berthed or securely moored. Under the Malta Flag, this can be achieved through a Static Charter...
Transport Malta issues new voluntary safety guidelines for pleasure yachts under 24 metres
Yachting Law & Regulatory Update | Malta | May 2026 The Transport Malta Merchant Shipping Directorate has published Yachting Notice 16, introducing a new set of non-mandatory safety guidelines for pleasure yachts under 24 metres hull length registered under...
Guidance on the Applicability of a Malta Endorsement for a Certificate of Competency (CoC)
Transport Malta has issued updated guidance clarifying when a Malta Flag endorsement is required for Certificates of Competency (CoC), as outlined in Commercial Yachting Notice 15. This is particularly relevant for yacht owners, managers, and crew operating under the...
Malta Reintroduces a Dedicated Commercial Court: What Businesses Need to Know
Malta is entering a new phase in the handling of commercial disputes. With the introduction of Act No. IV of 2026 on 17 March 2026, the country has formally set the stage for the return of a specialised Commercial Court—an important move for businesses operating...
Avoid Cyber Attacks with Cyber Essentials
Cybersecurity continues to be a growing concern for organisations of all sizes. As businesses become increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure, the risks associated with cyber attacks—from data breaches to operational disruption—are also increasing. Recent...
ISO 14001:2026 — What Businesses Need to Know and How to Prepare
ISO 14001 continues to be the benchmark standard for environmental management systems (EMS) worldwide. With its next revision scheduled for publication in early 2026, organisations that are certified to ISO 14001:2015 or planning to implement an EMS should begin...
New Fast-Track Company Liquidation Route Introduced in Malta
Recent amendments to the Maltese Companies Act have introduced a streamlined liquidation mechanism that offers an efficient alternative for certain companies wishing to wind up without undergoing a full voluntary members’ winding-up process. This new procedure became...
New Global Accreditation Body Launches to Strengthen International Trust and Simplify Market Access
A major transformation in the global accreditation landscape has taken effect with the launch of Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, a unified international accreditation organisation, that replaces two long-standing bodies, the International Accreditation...
ISO 9001:2026 – What’s Changing and How to Prepare
The world’s most widely adopted Quality Management System (QMS) standard, ISO 9001, is undergoing revision to reflect the evolving needs of modern organisations. The publication of the Draft International Standard (ISO/DIS 9001) marks a significant milestone in the...
Updated Malta Guidelines on Implementing the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)
Transport Malta has issued Merchant Shipping Notice 105 Rev.2, outlining updated guidance on the application and enforcement of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) across Maltese-flagged vessels. The notice clarifies obligations for shipowners, operators,...
Plaintiff Secures First-Ranking Creditor Status Before Maltese Courts
In a judgement delivered by the First Hall of the Civil Court on 14 October 2025 in the names Dr John Bugeja nomine vs Petroplus Ltd, the Maltese Court affirmed the first-ranking creditor status in a complex Competition of Creditors procedure concerning funds seized...
Maltese Court Enforces Cypriot Judgment Despite Attempts to the Contrary
In a recent judgement delivered by the First Hall of the Civil Court, it ruled that a foreign judgment delivered in Cyprus against a credit institution incorporated in the European Union is valid and enforceable in Malta. Background of the Dispute The case originated...
ISO 14001:2026 – Preparing for the Next Evolution of Environmental Management
The widely adopted ISO 14001 standard, which sets the framework for Environmental Management Systems (EMS), is moving towards a new edition. The update, due for publication in 2026, is not intended to reinvent the standard but rather to bring improved clarity and...
Maltese Court Holds Freight Forwarder Liable for Theft of Goods in Transit Under the CMR Convention
The Civil Court, First Hall, recently delivered a significant judgment (20 May 2025, Elmo Insurance Ltd v Jet Freight Ltd & Clayton Abela Logistics Ltd, Rikors Ġuramentat 1147/2021) addressing liability for the loss of cargo during international road transport...
Port State Control Concentrated Inspection Campaign On Ballast Water Management
Transport Malta has issued Shipping Notice 197 to Ship-owners, Ship Operators, Managers, Masters, Owners’ Representatives and Recognised Organisations. The Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MoU) and the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding (Tokyo MoU) have...
Judicial Sale of Vessels in Malta: A Creditor’s Enforcement Tool in Maritime Finance
In the realm of maritime finance, vessel mortgages offer security to lenders, yet defaults are an unavoidable risk. When a shipowner is unable to meet mortgage obligations, Maltese law provides an effective legal remedy through the judicial sale of the vessel. This...
Clawback Provisions and Ship Mortgages Under Maltese Law: What Creditors Need to Know
Malta continues to uphold its reputation as one of the world’s leading maritime jurisdictions, not only for ship registration but also for the strong legal infrastructure supporting ship financing. One of the cornerstones of this system is the Maltese registered ship...
The Role of the Yacht Surveyor in the Buying, Selling, and Insurance Process
In the world of yachting, the role of the surveyor is often underestimated or misunderstood. While brokers, buyers, sellers, and insurers are frequently in the spotlight during yacht transactions, the surveyor quietly plays a vital role behind the scenes, offering...