The Corporate Sub-Committee
Chair – Dr. Lisa Camilleri
Co Chair – Dr. Nicholas Valenzia
As Chair of the Corporate Sub-Committee my focus for the current three-year term is centred on ensuring that Malta’s corporate maritime framework remains both robust and competitive.
A key priority will be the revision of Subsidiary Legislation 234.42, with the objective of aligning it with amendments made to the Companies Act in recent years. This exercise is not merely technical in nature, it presents an opportunity to critically assess the existing framework governing Merchant Shipping Organisations and to explore the introduction of innovative and commercially attractive enhancements that reinforce Malta’s position as a leading maritime jurisdiction.
Alongside this legislative focus, the Sub-Committee will continue to play an active role in overseeing tonnage tax filing requirements and broader corporate compliance matters, ensuring clarity, consistency, and practical applicability.
The strength of this Sub-Committee lies in the collective expertise of its members. We actively encourage practitioners, industry participants, and stakeholders to join our discussions and contribute their insights. Your practical experience and perspectives are invaluable in shaping a framework that is not only legally sound but also commercially effective and responsive to the realities of the industry.
Through this collaborative approach, the Sub-Committee aims to contribute meaningfully to the continued development of Malta’s maritime corporate landscape.
The Quick-Fixes Sub-Committee
Chair: Dr. Anndrea Moran
Co-Chair: Dr. Peter Grima
The Quick-Fixes/ Red-Tape (formerly known as “Strategy”) Sub-Committee (the “Sub-Committee”) has been established to assess policies and procedures used and followed over the years by flag administration which might be slightly too bureaucratic or outdated, and through the organisation of small working groups within the Sub-Committee to present Flag administration with alternatives that would make the Malta flag more competitive and attractive, whilst at the same time safeguarding the interests and needs of the authority and us service providers.
During the last 3 years within which the previous executive committee held tenure, the Sub-Committee addressed the following issues:
- The introduction by flag of digital certificates/ e-certificates for a number of certificates published by flag and required by the industry in accordance with International Conventions;
- The streamlining of digital signatures to be used by service providers established in Malta; and
- An alternative to the use of the apostille (this is still ongoing).
Over the next three years, the Sub-Committee will once again highlight a set of policies and procedures to be assessed and work together with flag administration to introduce new alternatives that would be more competitive and attractive. We encourage you to take this opportunity to join our Sub-Committee and address these issues first-hand.
The Education Sub-Committee
Chair: Dr. Stephan Piazza
Co-Chair: Dr. Edward Meli
The Education Subcommittee of the Malta Maritime Law Association plays a key role in advancing awareness and engagement within the maritime sector. Co-chaired by Dr. Stephan Piazza and Dr. Edward Meli, the subcommittee is dedicated to promoting the shipping industry and highlighting the work and initiatives of the Association.
Its core responsibilities include organising educational and professional events, fostering knowledge-sharing, and supporting activities that strengthen the visibility and impact of the Malta Maritime Law Association within both the local and international maritime community.
Tonnage-Tax Sub-Committee
Chair: Dr. Robert Radmilli
As the current ten-year EU-approved period of Malta’s tonnage tax regime approaches its conclusion, it is imperative that coordinated and forward-looking efforts are undertaken by the MMLA to ensure the continuity of a competitive and EU-compliant framework beyond 2028.
In this context, the MMLA has established a new and dedicated Tonnage Tax Subcommittee to work closely with the Maltese flag administration and local tax advisors, with a view of contributing constructively towards the forthcoming policy discussions and negotiations at EU level concerning the future tonnage tax regime.
A key role of the Subcommittee shall be that of promoting the interests of the Maltese maritime sector at EU level, with the objective of securing a robust, proportionate, and economically sustainable tonnage tax framework applicable from 2028 onwards, and ensure that the legitimate interests of the sector are duly taken into account and effectively safeguarded.
The Yachting Sub-Committee
Chair: Dr. Anthony Galea
Co-Chair : Dr. Christopher Cini
The Yachting Committee’s agenda for 2026 started slowly as no major changes appeared/appear on the horizon and we continue work on issues started last year including the introduction of new regulations for surveyors and improving Customs procedures amongst others.
The recent consultation launched by TM linked to Private Yacht Guidelines has created a new impetus this Spring as we now started work on consulting TM on these Guidelines.
This Sub-committee also has further divisions concerning :
- Taxation Matters
- Technical Matters
There will undoubtedly be new projects in this subcommittee on the horizon.
The Merchant Shipping and Regulatory Sub-Committee
Chair: Dr. Adrian Attard
Co-Chair : Dr. Matthew Xerri
This sub committee will be responsible to deal with an array of matters concerning the Merchant Shipping Act, COCP and ancillary regulatory matters concerning the Maltese maritime industry , including but not limited to the following:
- The Licensing of the Shipping Service provider
- FIAU
- Sanction Monitoring Board
- Resident Agents
- Subject Persons
- Commercial Court (Maritime Section)
- COCP amendments concerning regulatory matters