In 1993 The Republic of Malta’s parliament implemented the act of Flag State Control for all Merchant Shipping entitled to sail under the flag of Malta.
Since 1994 MCB is the assigned inspector for Flag State Control to the Merchant Shipping Directorate of the Maltese Transport Ministry (Transport Malta, Merchant Shipping Directorate). MCB undertakes on demand these inspections at regular intervals in all major north European ports including Germany, Denmark, parts of The Netherlands and occasionally Norway and Sweden. In addition MCB authorises casualty investigation and pre-registration inspection to be carried out in the name of the Maltese Authorities.
The goal of the Flag State Inspection is the supervision and execution of the relevant safety standards in agreement with international maritime conventions and the Merchant Shipping Act.
The Maltese Shipping Authority regularly accomplishes inspections of merchant shipping vessels worldwide by utilizing the services of its global network of authorised inspectors. Consequently this aids to retain the high regard with which the Maltese flag is held.