Insights

Welcome to the 2019 edition of the GANADO Shipping & Maritime Law Newsletter.

It has been another active and intensive period for the Shipping team at GANADO Advocates. There has been quite some activity in the Admiralty Court surrounding the judicial sale of a high profile super yacht, the INDIAN EMPRESS, closely followed by the judicial sale of special heavy lift vessel, the HHL RIO DE JANEIRO. Both sales took place by private treaty. The respective judgements, discussed in this newsletter, contain some interesting legal points.

We also report on Malta’s proud announcement of the decision of the Cousteau Foundation to establish Maltese islands as one of their international  bases and register the iconic vessel of the late Captain Jacques Cousteau, the CALYPSO, in Malta to fly the Maltese flag.

We share further important developments of Malta’s Tonnage Tax regime that continue to bring certainty to the industry and include an overview of our recent activities and publications.

We trust you will find this issue of the newsletter to be of interest. Please free to get in touch with us should you require any further information on any of the reports in this edition.

Jotham Scerri-Diacono

News

GANADO Advocates sponsors Superyacht Investor Conference 2019 London

The firm was one of the main sponsors of the event that has become a regular date in the calendars of professional advisers, yacht brokers, financiers and ship yard representatives from across the world. Christine Cassar Naudi, Partner heading the yachting tax practice, and Matthew Attard, Senior Associate with the firm’s shipping practice were in attendance.

The Spirit of Jacques Cousteau Returns to Malta

Almost 70 years after the ship’s original purchase in Malta, Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s foundation has re-registered CALYPSO in Malta. Dr Jotham Scerri Diacono and Dr Jan Rossi assisted and advised the Cousteau foundation on the registration and led the negotiations with Heritage Malta.

Read more here >>

GANADO Advocates assists Navigazione Montanari SPA in the sale-and-leaseback of 11 tankers

The deal involved a complex refinancing transaction consisting of the sale-and-leaseback of 11 vessels forming part of Montanari’s fleet, facilitating the company’s plan to renew its fleet and further its investment in more technologically-advanced vessels. Dr Jotham Scerri-Diacono led the team acting for Montanari SPA in this transaction.

Read more here >>

GANADO Advocates meets with Chief Editor of the Journal of Law and Digital Economy

Moscow State Law University hosted a meeting between Maria Egorova, Chief Editor of the Journal of Law and Digital Economy, Dr Jotham Scerri-Diacono and Dr Jan Rossi.

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GANADO Advocates sponsors Norway Ship & Offshore Finance Forum 2019

The firm was one of the corporate sponsors at the 21st Annual Norway Ship & Offshore Finance Forum 2019. that was organised by Marine Money in Oslo on the 6th of June. Dr Daniel Aquilina and Dr Matthew Xerri, from the firm’s Ship Finance team, were present at this event.

GANADO Advocates participates in Shiparrested.com Annual Members’ Conference Malta

The firm was one of the local firms involved in the organising of the Shiparrested.com Network 16th Annual Members’ Conference was held last month in Malta.

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Maltese flag continues steady registry growth

The Government of Malta published a press release updating the public on the Merchant Ship Register, highlighting the recent success achieved in the maritime sector.

Read more here >>

Articles and publications

New law aims to attract ship managers to Malta

Dr Jan Rossi provided an overview of Legal Notice 128 of 2018 that was introduced with the aim of attracting ship managers to set up in Malta. This article was first published in Ship Management International Issue no. 76 (November/December 2018).

Read more here >>

Another Successful Private Sale of a Vessel in Malta by Court Approval

Following closely last year’s judicial sale of the 100 meter super yacht m.y. Indian Empress, the m.v. HHL Rio de Janeiro, a specialised heavy lift vessel, sailed into Maltese waters for her sale by private treaty. Dr Jotham Scerri-Diacono led the transaction team together with Dr Chiara Frendo.

Read more here >>

We trust that this issue of our shipping and maritime law newsletter was of interest to our readers. Should you have any queries, feedback or suggestions to make, please feel free to contact Jotham Scerri-Diacono, Karl Grech Orr or Daniel Aquilina. We will be pleased to hear from you.