Questions for lawyers Found 20

I’m setting up a commercial shipping operation using vessels based in Malta, and I want to understand what insurance coverage is actually a legal requirement, as opposed to what might simply be commercially prudent to have in place.

I’m involved in the operation of a vessel registered under the Malta flag, and I want to understand, in general terms, what legal process would apply if this vessel were ever involved in a collision with another ship at sea. Would Maltese law automatically apply, or does it depend on where the collision actually happens?

I work as crew on a vessel operated by a shipping company based in Malta, and there have been concerning signs the company might be facing serious financial difficulty, potentially heading toward insolvency. I’m worried about what would happen to my unpaid wages if the company actually goes bankrupt.

I’m considering an arrangement where I would charter a vessel on a bareboat basis, and I’ve heard this might involve a specific type of registration process in Malta that’s different from a standard, full ship registration. Can you explain what this actually means and how it differs?

I contracted with a shipyard in Malta to carry out repairs on my vessel, but the work has been significantly delayed beyond the agreed timeline, causing me real financial loss from the vessel being out of commercial service longer than planned. What are my options for addressing this delay with the shipyard?

I’m considering taking up a position as a seafarer on a vessel registered under the Malta flag, and I want to understand whether my working conditions and employment rights would actually be governed by Maltese employment law in the same way as a typical shore-based job in Malta, or whether maritime employment operates under a different framework entirely.

I’m planning to start a business in Malta offering commercial boat trips for tourists, taking paying passengers out on excursions. I want to understand what licences or certifications are actually required before I can legally operate this kind of commercial passenger service.

I’ve heard about ships sometimes being ‘arrested’ in port over unpaid debts or disputes, and I want to understand what this actually means in a legal sense for a Malta-flagged vessel, and what circumstances could lead to this happening.

I imported goods into Malta by sea and discovered upon arrival that a portion of the cargo had been damaged during transit. I want to understand my rights as the cargo owner to seek compensation, and from whom this claim would actually need to be pursued.

I agreed verbally with a boat owner in Malta to charter their vessel for a specific period, including the agreed price and dates, but nothing was put in writing at the time. The owner is now saying the arrangement is off and wants to charter it to someone else instead who is offering more money. Can I actually enforce our original verbal agreement?