The Government of Malta and Transport Malta, in addition to measures previously adopted to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the shipping industry, has introduced new procedures allowing owners and operators of commercial yachts to extend or postpone remote surveys required to obtain a Certificate to Trade as a Commercial Yacht (CoC) and to the related Statutory Certificates.
Procedures for Remote Surveys apply only to commercial yachts already issued with a CoC and Statutory Certificates.
The remote surveys will allow a commercial yacht
- to postpone any annual, intermediate or renewal survey that is due, for up to six months; and
- provided that the yacht's Master and Chief Engineer complete our procedures and checklists under the close supervision of an RO or appointed Surveyor.
The yacht's Surveyor/RO will still need to attend the yacht to complete the surveys once before the six month postponement comes to an end.
Such special procedures do not apply for new registrations.
Although such procedures are applicable as from 1 May 2020, Transport Malta may extend such exemption, at its own discretion, to such periodical surveys due during the first months of 2020.
The KPMG Malta Shipping Team is closely following the everchanging scenario and consequences that COVID-19 is having on ship owners, ship managers, surveyors, classification societies and of course the most affected category, seafarers.
Originally published 6 May 2020
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