Set sail to new horizons

Utilising a commercial structure is recommended for yacht owners that are chartering a yacht, operating the yacht in international waters or financing the yacht through lenders. A corporate structure is useful if the yacht also forms part of a larger estate.

• Company formation and administration
• Yacht registration and flag administration
• Regulatory advisory for international use
• International compliance
• Tax and VAT planning (through relevant parties)
• Yacht management and crew services
• Accounting and Financial reporting
• Insurance broking (through relevant parties)

Firstly, outline your goals on how you would like to utilise the asset. Do you wish to operate the yacht for commercial use or private use?

There are many other considerations that will affect your goals too, including asset protection, privacy and tax efficiency. Is it important to you to keep the yacht ownership off public registers to maintain privacy? Do you want to shield the yacht from legal risks or claims? And are there any financial concerns you have around VAT, capital gains or inheritance tax?

All these questions can be answered by an experienced professional in the yachting sector who can advise you on the best options according to your goals.

Choosing which ship registry to register with is a critical decision as it directly impacts the yachts’ legal status, tax exposure, protection and safety compliance. It also has a direct impact on the reputation the yacht carries, which can determine how easy it is to utilse the yacht in international waters. Some registers restrict the nationalities of owner and companies from certain jurisdictions, therefore doing your research is essential. There are also varying compliance requirements between ship registers which determine what compliance frameworks they have to adhere to and operational aspects such as crewing the vessel.

The speed of yacht registration depends on the flag state it is registered under. Each jurisdiction has its own registration process which will differ in timeframe, requirements and costs. Some jurisdictions offer a faster registration process than others, some of the jurisdictions which known to offer an efficient registration process include the Cayman Islands, Malta, Marshall Islands, UK and Isle of Man.

Malta offers several benefits including:
EU flag and recognition
Strong maritime infrastructure
Accession into the EU
Reputable and compliant maritime registry
Competitive registration and operational costs
No restrictions on nationality of yacht owners or crew
VAT-efficient leasing structures
Straightforward registration process

Both EU and non-EU individuals or companies can register. Non-EU entities may need to appoint a resident agent in Malta.

Malta allows registration of:
• Commercial and private yachts
• Yachts under construction
• Bareboat charter registrations (in and out)

The provisional registration can be completed within 2–3 days if all documents are in order. Permanent registration must be completed within 6 months. Compliance steps much be completed with Affinity prior to registration.

Yes, but Malta offers VAT-efficient leasing schemes. A portion of the lease payments is subject to VAT, based on the yacht's time spent in EU waters.

The Cayman Islands offers:
• White-listed status by the Paris and Tokyo MoUs
• A top-tier reputation for quality and compliance
• Global recognition and a well-respected Red Ensign flag
• 24/7 support from international offices
• No restrictions on nationality of owners or crew

The Cayman Registry allows:
• Full (permanent) registration
• Provisional registration
• Interim registration
• Bareboat charter (in and out)
• Under-construction registration

Fees depend on the yacht’s tonnage and whether it is private or commercial. There are:
• Initial registration fees
• Annual tonnage fees
• Inspection fees for commercial yachts

Any individual or entity from a qualifying country (including most major economies) can register a vessel. Non-qualifying entities can use a Cayman Islands company or representative person.

Yes. Cayman-flagged yachts are highly regarded by port authorities worldwide, providing smooth access to global cruising grounds.

That depends on the intended use:
• U.S. registration (via the U.S. Coast Guard) is ideal for U.S. citizens and offers simplicity for domestic cruising.
• Foreign registration (e.g., Cayman Islands, Marshall Islands, Malta) is common for charter operations or privacy, or to avoid certain tax exposures.

Yes, but only through a U.S.-based entity (e.g. LLC or corporation). Direct personal registration is generally limited to U.S. citizens.

Yes, forming an LLC can offer:
• Limited liability
• Simplified transfer of ownership
• Potential tax planning and privacy advantages

• Reputable Red Ensign Flag
• British consular protection and support
• Assistance from Royal Navy for emergencies and disputes
• Flexible registration options
• High safety and technical standards

• British citizens
• EU and commonwealth nationals
• Entities registered in approved jurisdictions

• Private Yachts
• Commercial Yachts (up to 12 passengers)
• Bareboat Charter Registration

It can take up to 2 weeks to register a private yacht and up to 4 weeks for a commercial yacht. Timescales are dependent on the sufficient information provided or delayed technical inspections. Compliance steps much be completed with Affinity prior to registration.

Registration fees differ for private and commercial yachts. Private registration fees include registration, change of ownership, tonnage measurement, mortgage registration and duplicate certification.

Commercial fees include registration, survey & inspection, safety management certificate (if applicable), Manning, ISM, and equipment certification.

Some of the registration fees are based on the vessel size, complexity and travel, therefore contact our team who share with you the correct fees that meet your specific requirements.