Category: Yachting

Yachting Update: Commercial Yacht Code

Transport Malta has issued a new Commercial Yacht Code, applicable as of the 01 July 2025. This comes after months consultation and effort to bring together an updated standard for the industry.

🛥️ Scope & Applicability

  • Applies to all commercial yachts over 24 m in length, with any gross tonnage, replacing CYC 2020.
  • Small Commercial Yacht Code (sCYC) remains in effect for yachts under 24 m.

🔍 Key Updates & Enhancements

1. Regulatory Alignment & Streamlining

  • Reflects international safety standards, updated technologies, and industry practices.
  • Aims to streamline the regulatory framework, making compliance more operationally effective.

2. Enhanced Safety Measures

  • Greater emphasis on safety systems, including improvements in navigation, firefighting, and structural integrity (though specific clauses are in the full Code).

3. Environmental & Operational Efficiency

  • Introduces stricter provisions on pollution prevention, waste handling, and fuel safety for onboard aviation refuelling, reflecting modern environmental best practices.

4. Technological Advancements

  • Broadened acceptance and specific requirements for battery-powered and hybrid vessels, with mandatory classification throughout certification.
  • Updated provisions for helidecks, including CCTV coverage and fuel handling protocols.

5. Surveying & Certification Regime

  • Maintains existing structure: initial, intermediate, and annual surveys for vessels ≥ 24 m, renewing every five years.
  • Potential allowance for alternative compliance agreements, enhancing flexibility.

6. Crew & Operational Management

  • While details are in the Code, improved clarity is suggested for manning, training, and crew welfare.

🧭 Why This Matters

  • Regulatory consistency: Harmonises Malta’s code with global standards and advances in marine design.
  • Ongoing compliance: Existing vessels are given a clear update pathway, minimizing disruptions.
  • Environmental leadership: Demonstrates Malta’s dedication to marine ecology through enhanced pollution controls.
  • Tech readiness: Encourages adoption of eco-friendly propulsion and modern safety systems.

✅ What You Should Do:

  1. Familiarize yourself with the full CYC 2025 document, especially chapters relevant to safety, environment, and systems integration.
  2. Schedule your vessel’s first renewal survey after 31 Dec 2025 to ensure compliance.
  3. Discuss with your surveyor/RO about updated battery and helideck requirements, classification needs, and operational policies.
  4. Follow this page, or our profile on LinkedIn, or see what Geraldine is up to in the yachting world.

Asteria Advisory Attending the Palma International Boat Show 2025

Asteria Advisory will be attending the Palma International Boat Show 2025 from April 29, joining industry leaders and professionals for one of the most anticipated events in the yachting calendar.

This year’s show is particularly significant for Asteria, marking the official relaunch of its brand within the superyacht sector. As the Mediterranean charter season begins, Asteria is re-entering the maritime space with renewed focus, expanded services, and a clear commitment to supporting clients in the operation, management, and legal oversight of high-value assets.

The Palma show provides an ideal platform for networking, exploring new developments in yacht regulation and technology, and strengthening connections with collaborators and clients across the industry. It is always part of our priority to talk to our counterparts and colleagues in person. It keeps Asteria’s personal touch in the work we do. That is why we love to attend shows and in-person meetings in a time when technology has completely coverted how people connect.

While the team may be slightly slower to respond during this period, Asteria will return with fresh insights, new opportunities, and exciting news to share.

To connect during the Palma International Boat Show 2025, please get in touch.

Asteria attends Palma Superyacht Show
Geraldine is attending the Palma International Boat Show

The Women-In-Maritime Initiative

A few years ago, I gave a speech in an IMO International Maritime Institute (IMLI) discussion on women in the maritime industry. The IMLI Board of Studies had given me a scholarship to read my masters in 2006 (completion in 2007) so this seemed a good opportunity to give something back.

Today, I attended a similar-themed breakfast, She Leads the Seas. MaritimeMT, in Malta, organised this event as part of the MARMED project.

This get-together focused on the opportunities for women in the shipping industry.

MARMED

The MARMED project is a part of ERASMUS+. It aims to bridge the gap between the existing needs and the current skillset of Maritime Clusters Managers.

MARMED aims to look at upskilling of members of the industry. Other aims include:

  • Outlining an innovative professional profile for increased competitiveness of Maritime Clusters in the Mediterranean area; and
  • Overall, boosting innovation and sustainable growth in the Blue Economy sector.

THE EVENT

This in-person seminar included:

  • an outline of the project,
  • a discussion on the role of women in the maritime industry; and
  • a good overview of available opportunities.

Women are still widely under-represented in the maritime industry. Only 22% of the industry workers are female. There are many actions that the industry can take to change this balance.

The audience included IMLI students, various professionals and lecturers from the industry and officials from the Flag, Transport Malta.

Participants of the meeting also touched upon Women in Transport – EU Platform for change. The objective of this Platform, launched on 27 November 2017, is to strengthen women’s employment and equal opportunities for women and men in the transport sector through the actions brought about by the Platform members. It will also serve as a forum to discuss and exchange good practices.

REMEMBERING – INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR WOMEN IN SHIPPING

The IMO Resolution A.1170(32) of 09 December 2021, established the 18th May as the IMO International Day for Women in Maritime.

Malta’s Maritime Industry: A Strategic Hub for Ships & Yachts

Introduction:

With a proud maritime heritage and strategic position at the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta has steadily evolved into a strategic hub for ships and yachts. Malta is a leading jurisdiction for maritime investment and ship and yacht registration.

Known for its robust legal and regulatory framework, Malta’s maritime industry offers significant opportunities for international investors. This applies to local and international stakeholders alike, for both ships and yachts.

A Growing Force in Global Yachting and Shipping

Malta continues to enhance its reputation as a reliable and forward-looking maritime flag state. During the Superyacht Symposium that took place in July 2021, Transport Minister Dr. Aaron Farrugia launched the development of a National Superyacht Strategy. This initiative gives a clear signal that Malta intends to further elevate its standing in the global maritime industry.

Update – November 2023: the initiative was published by government and can be downloaded here.

Industry professionals called for improvements including infrastructure and marina services, corporate and legal frameworks supporting ownership. These efforts aim to position Malta as a top-tier jurisdiction for yacht registration and support services. The strategy covers everything – from hard-standing facilities to high-quality professional advisory.

International Interest at the Monaco Yacht Show

Malta’s presence at the Monaco Yacht Show drew substantial attention, with the Transport Malta stand buzzing with activity. Visitors from around the globe showed a strong interest in the advantages of the Malta. They included yacht brokers, charterers, and industry professionals looking at both commercial and private yachts.

The Malta Business Registry was also present in Monaco. This move emphasised the close integration of commercial ship operations and maritime corporate services under the Maltese system.

Over the last decade, promotion of Malta’s maritime industry has become even more important as a government priority.

Building a National Superyacht Strategy

In a follow-up meeting hosted at the Malta Chamber of Commerce, key stakeholders shared recommendations for shaping Malta’s National Superyacht Strategy. Topics included: modernising Transport Malta’s online platforms, banking access and developing a private yacht code.

The attendees’ suggestions will all form part of a national White Paper. The government will publish these proposals once the proposals are properly considered.

These collaborative initiatives will play a pivotal role in reinforcing Malta’s legal and regulatory environment for shipping and yachting — ensuring long-term competitiveness and regulatory clarity for investors, operators, and clients.

Malta on the European Stage

Further bolstering Malta’s profile, recent proposals by a Maltese MEP on maritime transport were adopted by the European Parliament. This achievement underscores Malta’s active role in shaping maritime policy at the European level. It also reaffirms Malta’s ability to punch above its weight in a sector that continues to expand in both scale and complexity.

Conclusion: A Flag of Confidence

From ship registration to yachting advisory, from compliance management to infrastructure investment, Malta offers a powerful combination of expertise, international credibility, and commercial flexibility. With its EU membership, central Mediterranean location, and strong maritime tradition, Malta continues to position itself as a preferred jurisdiction for marine and shipping operations.

At Asteria Advisory, we support local and international clients with tailored legal and corporate services across the shipping and yachting sectors. Whether you’re setting up under the Malta flag, registering a vessel, or exploring new opportunities in maritime operations, we’re here to help.

👉 Get in touch to discuss how we can support your maritime venture or regulatory needs.
📩 Contact Us
📄 Download our latest factsheets on Ship & Yacht Registration in Malta from our Library.

Sanctioned Russian Oligarch wins right to use yacht on the French Riviera

A sanctioned Russian oligarch has won the right to use his yacht on the French Riviera. Rather, he has successfully challenged French customs due to a number of errors made in the procedure when they boarded the yacht.

Originally published in 2022, this article discusses the legal complexities around asset control and EU sanctions. As of 2025, such cases remain highly relevant in the evolving landscape of international law and yacht management.

The EU sanctions apply across EU member states. French customs authorities are reported to have failed to follow the correct procedures. The court ordered the release of the yacht.

Read the article here.

A superyacht lies at anchor. Image taken from stock - (C) Shutterstock
A superyacht – image from stock.

Legal professionals from different parts of the world have argued that individuals facing such sanctions should succeed in these challenges. Assets are being seized without due process of law. Further, these seizures are taking effect without following any proper court process.

Clearly, there could be a deprivation of the right to one’s own property, without the proper court case to establish whether anyone has committed a crime.

These actions, merely on the basis that an individual has links to (in this case) the Russian government, appear to constitute a right about turn from the fundamental human right to property. This is arguable. The use of wealth to continue to back up the atrocities of war remains worrying. Sanctions of this type might be the only way to stop this practice.

Asteria Advisory’s services include ship & yacht registration, and management & representatation for yachts. We also provide legal support on a more general basis.