As from the 1st of April 2020, the Merchant Shipping Directorate has granted an extension period of 3 months from the anniversary on which any payment of the Annual Registration Fees and/or Annual Tonnage Tax is due. This measure was implemented in order to cater for the severe impact of COVID19 which has caused major cash flow issues across the shipping industry.
It is important that requests to issue such renewal Certificates of Registry are still to be made to the Registrar on time and should be accompanied by a request for the deferral of payment of the relevant registration fees and annual tonnage tax, where applicable.
News item written by Dr Sean Xerri de Caro.
For more information or assistance on the impact of COVID19 in the maritime industry kindly contact Dr Robert Tufigno on rtufigno@gtgadvocates.com or Dr Sean Xerri de Caro on sxerridecaro@gtgadvocates.com.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to impart legal advice and readers are asked to seek verification of statements made before acting on them.