Is the Malta flag safe for seafarers?

The Malta flag holds a strong port-state-control (PSC) reputation across both Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU regimes. It has ratified MLC 2006, which gives seafarers the international right to inspection and complaint. A safer flag does not mean every vessel is safe — operator + classification society still drive day-to-day conditions.

Has Malta ratified the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)?

Yes — Malta has ratified MLC 2006 (ratified 2013). Seafarers serving on Malta-flagged vessels are entitled to make MLC complaints through the flag administration, port state, or seafarer welfare organisations such as the ITF.

How do I file a complaint against a Malta-flagged vessel or operator?

Complaints can be lodged with the Transport Malta - Merchant Shipping Directorate via their official complaint procedure. Under MLC 2006, complaints may also be lodged with the port-state authority of any MLC-ratified port. The ITF and seafarer welfare organisations (Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, Sailors' Society) can advocate on your behalf. Keep contract, wage records, and seaman's book ready.

What port-state-control rating does Malta have?

Paris MoU rating: white. Tokyo MoU rating: white. PSC ratings classify flags by inspection and detention history. White / low-risk flags face fewer PSC inspections; black / high-risk flags face more frequent inspection and a higher detention rate.

Is Malta on the ITF Flag of Convenience (FoC) list?

Yes — Malta is listed by the International Transport Workers' Federation as a Flag of Convenience. ITF FoC listing reflects the union's view that the flag has minimal genuine link to the beneficial owner of vessels registered. Seafarers on FoC vessels are eligible for ITF inspector intervention in any major port and for the ITF's globally-negotiated minimum wage benchmark when on an ITF-affiliated agreement.

🇲🇹 Malta

ISO MLT / MT

Regulatory

MLC 2006: ratified (2013-01-22)
Paris MoU rating: white
Tokyo MoU rating: white
USCG Qualship 21: not listed
ITF FoC: listed as Flag of Convenience

Registry

Vessel count: 2,400
Deadweight: 95
Administration: Transport Malta - Merchant Shipping Directorate
File a complaint: Official form

Largest EU flag registry; EU member state

Compliance history

Tokyo MoU
This page could not be found. Maybe try a search?
ページが見つかりませんでした - Tokyo MOU
ILO NORMLEX
ILO is a United Nations Agency
Ratifications of ILO conventions: Ratifications for

Country context

Population: 579,704 (2025)
GDP per capita: $47,907 (2025)
Income group: High income
Region: Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan

Source: World Bank Open Data.

What this means for seafarers

MLC 2006: This flag has ratified MLC 2006. Vessels must hold a valid Maritime Labour Certificate + DMLC Part II posted onboard. You can file an MLC complaint via the flag administration.
Port-state-control profile: high-performing flag — fewer detentions on average. Read about PSC regimes →
ITF Flag of Convenience: This flag is on the ITF FoC list. ITF Total Crew Cost (TCC) scale applies as the wage floor. Contact an ITF inspector at the next port if your contract is below TCC. Unpaid-wages route →
STCW: Party to STCW. Verify a CoC issued under this flag at the administration.

Notable historic incidents under this flag

Erika (1999, Bay of Biscay)
The 25-year-old Maltese-flagged single-hull product tanker Erika broke in two 60 km off the Brittany coast on 12 December 1999 during a Bay of Biscay storm. Her fatigue-cracked hul…

Reference

III Code — the IMO flag-state audit scheme measuring implementation of IMO instruments.
Port state control — how Malta-flagged ships are inspected + detained in foreign ports.
Minimum safe manning — the SOLAS V/14 basis for Malta's manning documents.
Marine cyber incidents — case studies + the IACS UR E26/E27 cyber-resilience regime.

Ships flying Malta

Pioneering Spirit · IMO 9462775 · Heavy-lift / offshore installation
TI Europe · IMO 9337840 · ULCC
Vale Brasil · IMO 9627170 · Valemax / ore carrier
Pieter Schelte · IMO 9462763 · Heavy-lift
TI Africa · IMO 9337838 · ULCC
ZIM Luanda · IMO 9647846 · Container
Euronav Fraternity · IMO 9394941 · Tanker
GasLog Sydney · IMO 9674410 · LNG carrier
GasLog Geneva · IMO 9720478 · LNG carrier
BW GDF Suez Paris · IMO 9363191 · LNG carrier
GasLog Greece · IMO 9397490 · LNG carrier
Bourbon Argos · IMO 9594346 · PSV / Offshore support
Bourbon Evolution 802 · IMO 9594360 · PSV / Offshore support
Seven Viking · IMO 9529528 · DSV / Construction support
Bourbon Peregrine · IMO 9494692 · Offshore supply vessel
ZIM Kingston · IMO 9562690 · Container
GasLog Warsaw · IMO 9695803 · LNG carrier
Sanam · IMO 1011525 · motor yacht
Lionheart · IMO 1012323 · motor yacht

Companies headquartered in Malta

MaltaPost · operator

Ports in Malta

All ports in Malta →

Malta flag: FAQ

Is the Malta flag safe for seafarers?: The Malta flag holds a strong port-state-control (PSC) reputation across both Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU regimes. It has ratified MLC 2006, which gives seafarers the international right to inspection and complaint. A safer flag does not mean every vessel is safe — operator + classification society still drive day-to-day conditions.
Has Malta ratified the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)?: Yes — Malta has ratified MLC 2006 (ratified 2013). Seafarers serving on Malta-flagged vessels are entitled to make MLC complaints through the flag administration, port state, or seafarer welfare organisations such as the ITF.
How do I file a complaint against a Malta-flagged vessel or operator?: Complaints can be lodged with the Transport Malta - Merchant Shipping Directorate via their official complaint procedure. Under MLC 2006, complaints may also be lodged with the port-state authority of any MLC-ratified port. The ITF and seafarer welfare organisations (Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, Sailors' Society) can advocate on your behalf. Keep contract, wage records, and seaman's book ready.
What port-state-control rating does Malta have?: Paris MoU rating: white. Tokyo MoU rating: white. PSC ratings classify flags by inspection and detention history. White / low-risk flags face fewer PSC inspections; black / high-risk flags face more frequent inspection and a higher detention rate.
Is Malta on the ITF Flag of Convenience (FoC) list?: Yes — Malta is listed by the International Transport Workers' Federation as a Flag of Convenience. ITF FoC listing reflects the union's view that the flag has minimal genuine link to the beneficial owner of vessels registered. Seafarers on FoC vessels are eligible for ITF inspector intervention in any major port and for the ITF's globally-negotiated minimum wage benchmark when on an ITF-affiliated agreement.

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High confidence

Editorial confidence: how we grade. Data sources and methodology: /sources.

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