Can I register a superyacht under 24m under the commercial code?

Malta has developed specific frameworks catering to commercial yacht operations under the Merchant Shipping Act, Chapter 234 of the Laws of Malta, including provisions and codes of practice tailored to different vessel size categories, and a commercially operated yacht just under 24 metres would generally fall within Transport Malta's specific commercial yacht regulatory provisions designed for this category, which set out particular safety, crewing, and certification requirements distinct from both purely private pleasure yacht registration and the requirements applicable to larger commercial vessels above 24 metres. Registering and operating your yacht commercially under this framework generally requires satisfying specific safety and construction standards appropriate to commercial passenger-carrying operations, ensuring your crew hold appropriate certification for commercial operations rather than simply private yachting qualifications, and obtaining the specific commercial operating documentation Transport Malta requires before you can legally charter the vessel to paying guests. Given the specific technical and regulatory requirements involved in properly transitioning a vessel to commercial charter operation, including ensuring the vessel itself meets the appropriate safety standard for its size category, it would be important to engage a maritime lawyer or yacht registration specialist familiar with Transport Malta's specific commercial yacht code requirements before beginning charter operations.