Merchant Shipping Act (Cap. 234), article 29

29. (1) The Minister may order th at a ship shall cease to be registered if it is in the national interest or in the interest of Maltese shipping. (2) The Registrar-General may direct that a ship shall cease to be registered in the following cases: (a) if the annual fee has not been duly paid in accordance with this Act; (b) if the formalities specifi ed in article 13 are not complied with within the maximum periods therein specified; (c) if in the event of a registered ship being either actually or constructively lost, taken by the enemy, burnt or broken up, or ceasing, whether by reason of a transfer to persons not qualified to own a Maltese ship or for any other reason, to be a Maltese ship; (d) if the owner fails to observe the provisions of this Act; (e) if it is established that the ship will not or cannot be registered under this Act; (f) i f , w h e r e r e q u i r e d , a n y c o n d i t i o n s e s t a b l i s h e d b y t h e Minister in accordance with article 4(4) are not observed for a period in excess of one month; (g) if the owner fails to pay any fine imposed under this Act, or fails to pay any penalty within one month of their being demanded in writing by the registrar; or (h) if the owner fails to be in possession of a valid certificate of registry, w hether provisional or otherwise, for a period in excess of one month. (3) Prior to the issue of any such order or directive the M E R C H A N T S H I P P I N G [CAP. 234. 21 registrar shall give one month’s notice in writing to the regis tered owner and any registered mortgagee of the intention of closure of registry unless the cause for suc h closure is remedied. The reg istrar shall specify in the notice the r eason for closure and the expi ry date for compliance failing which closure will be effected. (4) Upon the issue of any notice in terms of sub-article (3) the registrar shall make a note thereof in the register and sha ll record the date on which the o ne month period shall lapse. (5) Upon the lapse of the said one month from the giving of notice and upon receipt of the order from the Minister or the directive from the Registrar-General, as the case may be, the registrar shall make an entry thereof in the register and there upon the ship shall cease to be a Malte se ship and the registry of t he ship shall be considered as closed except so far as relates to any unsatisfied mortgages or privileges entered therein, and the mortgagees shall have the right to demand the immediate sale of the ship or share therein as if the debtor had not adhered to a ll the conditions under which the credit was granted. Deletion certificate. Amended by: XIII.1983.5; XXIV .1986.7. Substituted by: XXXVII.1988.16. Substituted by: XXII. 2000. 23. Amended by: I.2025.14.