Malta’s 2025 Merchant Shipping Act amendments introduce the Finance Charter Instrument (FCI), a novel security for finance lessors in bareboat charters, enabling registration of a charge over Maltese-flagged vessels. Key features include dual registration with mortgages, self-help repossession after default notice, priority ranking after mortgages but before most claims, insolvency protection, and flexibility for amendments/transfers, positioning Malta as Europe’s top financier-friendly flag.