The Merchant Shipping Directorate has published Merchant Shipping notice 193 to notify all concerned that the Malta Ship Registry will start to issue electronic certificates as of 1st June 2025. This is a most welcome introduction in today’s digital world and reflects the Malta Ships Registry’s efforts to modernise its administrative services, support sustainability and embrace the digital transformation that is taking over the maritime sector.

Any original signed paper certificates that were issued prior to 1st June 2025 remain valid until their date of expiry and should be carried on board. From the effective date the Registry will then start to issue electronic certificates that are to be considered legally valid originals.

Considering the IMO Circular FAL.5/Circ.39/Rev.2 which outlines guidelines for the use of electronic certificates, all e-certificates issued for Maltese flagged ships shall comply with the security standards outlined and will have the following features:

• Validity and consistency with the format and content required by the relevant international conventions;
• Protected from edits, modifications, or revisions;
• Contain a unique tracking number for reliable and secure verification of the authenticity and validity of the e-certificate through a continuously accessible digital platform; and
• A printable and visible symbol that confirms its source of issuance.

The e-certificates will be issued in electronic PDF format containing a QR code through which the certificates’ authenticity can be verified (both online or offline through the DigSig Authenticator app) – this in lieu of the handwritten signature of the Registrar and will also contain the name of the authorised officer who authenticated the e-certificate in question.

Annexed to the notice is a list of the flag certificates that shall be issued electronically from the effective date of 1st June 2025 and all stakeholders are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with this new electronic certification process.

Such move from the signed paper certificates will certainly reduce the administrative burden on the administration, port state control officials, ships’ crews and other stakeholders and improve overall administrative and operational efficiencies. Please read the full notice here.