Next Generation Partners

Shipping in Malta

Fenech & Fenech Advocates

Fenech & Fenech Advocates has a strong offering in wet and dry shipping matters in Malta. Ship finance and registration issues are key drivers of work for the group, which is also adept at handling litigation arising from shipbuilding contracts, charterparties, bills of lading, towage, and salvage and collision claims. Marine insolvency cases are also prominent in the team's workload. Ann Fenech leads the maritime litigation group, in which Adrian Attard is a key name. Mark Fenech and Rowena Grima are established experts in ship finance and registration, respectively. Alison Vassallo and Lara Saguna Axiaq are also key practitioners.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ann Fenech; Adrian Attard; Lara Saguna Axiaq; Alison Vassallo


Autres avocats clés:

Mark Fenech; Rowena Grima


Principaux clients

General National Maritime Transport Company


Peninsula 360


ENDO Group


Tug Malta Ltd


Virtu Ferries Ltd


Gravelor Shipping Ltd


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising General National Maritime Transport Company on all the legal requirements and issues relating to its corporate structure and operations.
  • Advising Endo Tankers on ship sale and purchase agreements, charterparties, ship management agreements and ship registrations, and ship financing transactions.
  • Acts as counsel to Tug Malta Ltd in connection with substantial salvage claims and claims under its towage contracts.

Ganado Advocates

Ganado Advocates’ practice stands out for its ‘tremendous strength in depth‘. The team regularly represents financial institutions and shipowners in the registration of vessels and mortgages, yachting matters, and ship finance issues, to name a few areas. Karl Grech Orr and Jotham Scerri-Diacono are recognised for their expertise in advising on ship and yacht registrations and ship mortgages. Daniel Aquilina, Matthew AttardCaroline Risiott and Matthew Xerri are active on ship finance, loan restructuring and mortgage enforcement matters, as well as shipbuilding contractual issues. Christine Cassar Naudi brings experience in tax matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Karl Grech Orr; Jotham Scerri-Diacono; Daniel Aquilina; Christine Cassar Naudi; Matthew Attard; Matthew Xerri


Autres avocats clés:

Caroline Risiott


Les références

‘Their practice is very professional. Starting from day one as of the instructions, they respond quickly and handle the matter in a very professional attitude. The questions they raise are to the point which enables also the client to understand the what they need to expect from the file. ’

‘Matthew Attard is handling the case as a maritime professional. His knowledge is not only of law but also the dynamics of the sector as well as the technical side. ’

‘Caroline Risiott is first class and very user friendly. No nonsense and very practical. Always available. Daniel Aquilina is very experienced. ’

Camilleri Preziosi

Camilleri Preziosi‘s shipping practice, led by Steve Decesare, is well versed in representing ship and yacht owners in a range of contentious matters. The group is also recognised for its strength in advising on ship finance matters, enforcement of maritime claims, mortgages and the acquisition, registration, and operation of vessels.

Responsables de la pratique:

Steve Decesare


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for Grand Harbour Marina p.l.c. in proceedings against M/Y Nautonnier concerning debt recovery issues.

Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates

The team at Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates is 'very knowledgeable in yachting and shipping', and 'able to provide practical insight together with legal acumen'. Charlene Mifsud heads up the practice, in which senior associate Susanna Grech Deguara is a key name. The duo field expertise in yacht acquisitions, tax-related matters, and financing issues.

Responsables de la pratique:

Charlene Mifsud


Autres avocats clés:

Susanna Grech Deguara


Les références

‘The team is able to provide practical insight together with legal acumen. This is indeed very helpful in the shipping industry.’

‘We have worked closely with Susanna Grech Deguara who has been exceptional in her work. Very diligent and prompt to reply. She has always guided us well and has supported our company throughout.’

‘Very knowledgeable in yachting and shipping. Has know-how in the areas and cover related areas also such as structure advise, tax, VAT. ’

Principaux clients

Przemyslaw Klimczak


Secret Island Charter Ltd


General Gas Ltd


Monaco Boat Services (Riva)


Oceanus Marine


Quickly Group Holding Ltd


Classic Charter Ltd


LMS Yachting Ltd


Jeolson Law


FLE Marine Ltd


Piotr Trojanek


Polar Bear Project Ltd


Mamy Chartering Ltd


Concord Riva


Larimar Ltd


Raghav Marine


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted Przemyslaw Klimczak with EU yacht importation matters.
  • Advised Secret Island Charter on a yacht commercial registration issue.
  • Advised General Gas Ltd on shipping and importation matters.

Deguara Farrugia Advocates

Deguara Farrugia Advocates' practice stands out for its 'deep understanding of the intricacies of maritime law'. The team is 'a formidable force in the yachting industry, with an impressive track record of handling complex cases related to yachting'. The group regularly acts for financiers, managers, charterers, carriers and agents in a broad range of matters, including chartering, vessel registration, sale and purchase, and financing and securities work. Kenneth Deguara heads up the practice, and is ably supported by senior associate Andrew Massa.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kenneth Deguara


Autres avocats clés:

Andrew Massa


Les références

‘Personal contact and quick turnaround. Team with a variety of capabilities and competences.’

‘Very competent team partners. ’

‘What sets DF Advocates apart is their deep understanding of the intricacies of maritime law and their unwavering commitment to their clients. The legal team is a formidable force in the yachting industry, with an impressive track record of handling complex cases related to yachting. The team at DF Advocates operates with a level of professionalism that is second to none. Their meticulous attention to detail and dedication to providing tailored solutions for their clients is truly remarkable.’

Mamo TCV Advocates

At Mamo TCV Advocates, the 'outstanding' team is led by Nicholas Valenzia, 'a top tier lawyer' in the shipping arena. Valenzia is well versed in assisting with corporate and tax issues pertaining to vessels and superyachts, and has a solid track record in handling vessel repossession procedures on behalf of international credit institutions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nicholas Valenzia


Les références

‘The team are very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable with very good contacts with the relevant authorities.’

‘The individuals I work with are very helpful suggesting alternatives in order to succeed in our goals and business needs.’

‘Nick Valenzia is the go to guy in yachting matters.’

GTG Advocates

GTG Advocates fields a team of 'knowledgeable and experienced' lawyers, with established strength in advising on ship finance matters. Maritime litigation, importation issues, tax and vessel sale and purchase matters are other key areas of instruction for the group. Practice head Robert Tufigno brings over 40 years of experience in the space, and is highly regarded for assisting local and foreign clients with ship registrations under the Maltese flag, marine insurance matters, and dispute resolution, to name a few areas of strength.

Responsables de la pratique:

Robert Tufigno


Les références

‘Execellent quality and hands-on service’

‘The approach is commercial and goal-oriented. The service is tailored so it serves the purpose.’

‘Partners are promptly available knowledgeable and experienced. So easy to work with. Well informed, persistent and solution oriented.’

Principaux clients

Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A.


Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale


National Bank of Greece


ABN AMRO Bank N.V.


Nova Marine Carriers


ICCREA Banca Impresa


Marnavi S.p.A.


Corner Banca SA


Medazur Yacht Leasing Company Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Marnavi S.P.A on the acquisition and registration of a Maltese oil tanker.
  • Advised ABN Amro Bank N.V in relation to a supplemental agreement to a $18,750,000 loan agreement.
  • Advised National Bank of Greece on a €10,000,000 financing agreement and mortgage registration of a Maltese superyacht.

GVZH Advocates

At GVZH Advocates, the team has an established track record in advising on the purchase, sale and ongoing maintenance of luxury superyachts, and is also sought after for handling the registration of vessels under the Maltese flag. Additionally, the group assists with financing transactions, employment and social security issues for seafarers, and the arrest of vessels. Michael Grech and Ann Bugeja jointly head the practice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Michael Grech; Ann Bugeja


Principaux clients

Floating Life International SA


Sardaleasing S.p.A.


Albaleasing S.p.A.


Credemleasing S.p.A.


Unicredit Leasing S.p.A.


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Floating Life International S.A on all registrations of yachts under the Maltese flag.
  • Advised Unicredit Leasing S.p.A. on registrations of yachts under the Maltese flag, as well as acting as resident agent in respect of all its locally registered vessels.
  • Advising Credemleasing S.p.A on all registrations of yachts under the Maltese flag, as well as acting as resident agent in respect of all its locally registered vessels.