Notice by the Merchant Shipping Directorate to Shipowners, Ship Operators, Managers, Masters, Owners’ Representatives and Recognised Organisations. 

The Merchant Shipping Directorate would like to inform all concerned that new measures are being introduced for all Maltese flagged ships with the aim of ensuring continuous improvement and enhanced compliance with national and international legislation.

As part of this process, the Directorate has conducted a detailed analysis of ships detained in US ports and has noticed that the majority of detainable deficiencies were related to the protection of the marine environment and fire safety. Consequently, the Directorate requests that ships intending to call at any US port are to notify this office of their intentions prior to the commencement of the voyage to the US.

To this effect, any ship intending to call at a US Port and required to submit to the National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC) the Notice of Arrival and Departure (NOAD) at least 96 hours prior to arrival at the port of destination, should also send a copy of such notification to this Directorate on [email protected].

When it is deemed necessary, a flag State inspection will be conducted in order to ascertain both the general and specific operational and environmental performance levels of the ship. To ensure this goal is accomplished effectively and possibly without any inconvenience to normal commercial operations, shipowners, masters and officers are to provide every possible assistance to appointed inspectors.

It is the responsibility of Masters and ISM Managers of ships operating under the Malta flag to ensure timely submission of the notification. It is requested and expected that all concerned will make every effort towards attaining the ultimate objective of ensuring safety of life at sea and the prevention of pollution to our sea.

The cooperation and assistance of the owner, operators and their representatives is therefore solicited.

For further details, contact us on:

Tel: (00356) 21 651387
Fax: (00356) 21 651384
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.combinedmaritime.com