MALTA MARITIME AUTHORITY
Merchant Shipping Directorate

Home Port and National Colours of Maltese Ships

MSD Notice No 29

Notice to Shipowners, Ship Operators and Managers,
Owners, representatives, Ship Masters and Classification Societies 

The Merchant Shipping Directorate draws attention to the relative provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act regarding the home port and national colours of Maltese ships.

Section 5 of the Act provides that the home port of every Maltese ship shall be Valletta.

Section 15 further provides that the ship's name shall be marked on each of her bows and that the name of the home port shall be marked on the stern (on a dark ground white or yellow letters will be used whereas on a light ground black letters will be used). The letters are to be not less that ten centimetres in length and of proportionate breadth. Pleasure yachts are not required to have the name marked on the bows.

Furthermore, in terms of section 72 of the Act the flag as set out hereunder is declared as the proper national colours for all Maltese ships. The merchant flag of Malta consists of a red field bordered in white, with a Maltese Cross at its centre.

It is important that owners and masters of Malta flag vessels ensure that only the home port Valletta and the national colours shown hereunder are marked and hoisted on Maltese vessels.

The Merchant flag is not to be used as a courtesy flag.