Another category, commercial yachts, used for commercial purposes without carrying cargo or more than twelve passengers, falls under the Commercial Yacht Code established by the MSD in 2010. This code addresses specific design, operation, and safety requirements while aligning with international regulations. Additionally, pleasure yachts can be registered under Maltese law, benefiting from favorable tax treatment.

Advantages of the Maltese shipping register include:

• Registration in the name of legally incorporated bodies regardless of nationality, unlike certain other flag states;
• No restrictions on vessel trading or crew nationality;
• Tax exemptions for vessel owners or charterers, with no tax on shareholder dividends;
• Efficient procedures for registering mortgages on vessels and enforcing mortgage security rights.