For yachts engaged in commercial use under the Maltese flag, 2025 marks a key regulatory milestone. The Transport Malta Merchant Shipping Directorate has published the fifth edition of the Code, the Commercial Yacht Code 2025 (CYC 2025), which comes into force on 1 July 2025.
The significance for owners of 24 m+ yachts, charter operations, yachting families is clear: compliance, safety, charter market access and repositioning of flag/state choice all matter.
Below is a guide to what CYC 2025 introduces, transitional considerations, practical steps for owner-managers (and where Rosemont Yacht Services can support), and how it ties into broader regulatory and marketing positioning.
1. What is CYC 2025 and why does it matter?
The CYC 2025 replaces the previous edition (CYC 2020) for commercial yachts registered under the Maltese flag. It applies to commercial yachts that are engaged in operations (i.e., not purely private enjoyment) carrying up to 12 passengers, and covers both yachts under 500 GT and over 500 GT.
The key reasons this matters to yacht owners:
- Malta remains one of the most active European flags for commercial yachts, especially Mediterranean charter operations and high-value superyachts. Being ahead of regulatory changes gives operational and reputational advantage.
- The Code touches on safety, structure, environmental regulation, crew welfare, operational notations (navigation ranges) and survey/certification regimes. This aligns with insurer/financier expectations and charter market standards.
- Transitional risk: the deadline, survey triggers, classification alignment and cost of upgrades/retrofits all need planning from Day-1.
2. Key changes introduced in CYC 2025
From our review of the text of the Code and commentary, the standout updates include:
a) Explicit navigation notations clarified
The Code now clearly defines three navigation categories: “Short Range” (within 60 nm of a safe haven), “Extended Short Range” (within 150 nm of a safe haven) and “Unrestricted Navigation”. This clarity helps designate equipment, manning, and operations specifically for the 60 / 150 / unlimited bands.
b) Stronger structural / stability / freeboard / watertight standards
The 2025 edition enhances requirements around intact and damage stability, freeboard markings and watertight integrity, particularly for major refits or conversions treated as new‐build standards.
c) Environmental & safety technology updates
- A prohibition on asbestos installations in new builds or major refits.
- Mandatory lightning protection systems in appropriate zones.
- Fit-out for alternative propulsion/hybrid systems is accommodated. They have built-in pathways for new technologies.
- Stronger alignment with MARPOL, AFS, Ballast Water Management and pollution prevention.
d) Crew, welfare and non-crew personnel
Expanded focus on crew accommodation, working conditions (MLC-related) and onboarding of non-crew personnel (such as security/maintenance teams) in commercial operations.
e) Survey / certification / transitional provisions
- CYC 2025 becomes effective 1 July 2025 for new certifications.
- For yachts certified under CYC 2020 (or undergoing survey), compliance must be achieved by the first renewal survey after 31 December 2025.
- The administration allows surveyors/appointees to phase in certain requirements via equivalences, subject to approval.
f) Flag-state attractiveness / market positioning
Commentators suggest that Malta has used the update to re-assert its attractiveness as a commercial yacht register: offering clarity, business-friendly transition, and a modern compliance regime.
4. Final thoughts & next steps
The launch of the CYC 2025 marks another progressive step by Malta in aligning its commercial yacht regulatory regime with modern safety, environmental and operational standards. For owners and managers operating Malta-flagged vessels (or considering Malta registration), the time to act is now: survey dates, upgrade plans and charter positioning all demand early attention rather than last-minute reactive compliance.
5. Why Rosemont Yacht Services is the partner of choice
At Rosemont, our yachting division is uniquely placed to support high-value owners, charter operators, managers and in navigating regulatory changes:
- Technical and regulatory insight: We maintain a cross-jurisdictional overview (Malta, Monaco, France, Italy) and flag reviews, enabling us to interpret the new Code, advise on flag choice, and align with compliance manuals.
- Value protection & reputational risk mitigation: In the superyacht world, compliance with the latest regulations is a value proposition, not just legally mandatory but reassuring for insurers, financiers and charter clients.
In the evolving world of superyacht compliance, staying ahead is not just about avoiding risk, it’s about reinforcing quality, reputation and operational excellence.
For a tailored readiness plan or to arrange a client briefing deck on CYC 2025, please contact Rosemont Yacht Services: rys@rosemont-yacht.com