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Nicholas Valenzia

Nicholas Valenzia heads MamoTCV’s Shipping and Aviation Department with particular focus on assets management and finance issues. Nicholas has also vast experience in vessel (including superyachts) and aircraft ownership and operational structures. Nicholas also coordinates vessel and aircraft repossession procedures on behalf of international credit institutions.

Draft Rulebook on Aircraft Financial Leasing Aviation

Draft Rulebook on Aircraft Financial Leasing

Background: The First Phase of the MFSA Aircraft Leasing Consultation On 5th January 2026, the Malta Financial Services Authority (the “MFSA”) published a consultation paper proposing a notification-based regime for aircraft financial leasing companies. The first phase of the consultation was covered in an earlier article. The core proposition is to create an alternative to full licensing under the Financial Institutions Act (Cap. 376) (the “Act”) allowing companies meeting a specified asset threshold to notify the MFSA and operate under a tailored, lighter-touch framework. The said consultation invited feedback on the framework’s high-level design and the legislative amendments needed to…
Joshua Chircop and Nicholas Valenzia
28th July 2026
A Year in Review: Registration Reforms and Digitalisation Shipping, Yachting and Transport

A Year in Review: Registration Reforms and Digitalisation

By virtue of Act I of 2025, significant amendments were introduced to Merchant Shipping Act (MSA) Chapter 234 of the Laws of Malta (‘The Amendments’), reflecting Malta’s continued efforts to modernise its maritime legal framework and align itself with evolving international standards. As these amendments reach their first anniversary, this three-part series undertakes a review of the principal reforms introduced. The first part analyses the Finance Charter Instrument, the second part focuses on the Protection of Seafarers and the third part addresses the Merchant Shipping Act Amendments. As part of our year in review of the Amendments, Part III concludes…
Nicholas Valenzia and Ella Vella Cardona
7th May 2026
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Consultation on Aircraft Financial Leasing Aviation

Consultation on Aircraft Financial Leasing

The Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA”), in collaboration with the Malta Financial Services Advisory Council (“MFSAC”), has issued a Consultation on the Proposed Establishment of a Framework for Aircraft Financial Leasing Companies. Feedback should be submitted by not later than 9th February 2026. The MFSA is proposing to reduce the regulatory burden for aircraft financial leasing in Malta by means of a light touch statutory regime. Essentially, it is proposed that lessors or financiers of aircraft and aircraft engines that have more than EUR 100 million in assets will not require a banking or other financial services license to undertake…
Nicholas Valenzia and Joshua Chircop
6th January 2026
The Air Navigation Act: Regulation of Aircraft Navigation Over the Maltese Airspace Aviation

The Air Navigation Act: Regulation of Aircraft Navigation Over the Maltese Airspace

On the 1st of August 2023, Bill No. 63 entitled the Air Navigation Act (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”) was published in the Supplement to the Government Gazette. The proposed Act has reached the stage of the Third Reading and shall repeal the Civil Aviation (Air Operators’ Certificates) Act (Chapter 218 of the Laws of Malta), the Air Navigation Order (Subsidiary Legislation 499.09), and the Civil Aviation Subsidiary (Air Transport Licensing) (Fees) Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 499.33).The primary objective of the proposed Act is to govern aircraft navigation within the Maltese airspace and establish technical compliance standards. The Act applies…
Nicholas Valenzia and Martina Azzopardi
21st December 2023
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Cell Companies in Shipping and Aviation Business AviationShipping, Yachting and Transport

Cell Companies in Shipping and Aviation Business

This article was written by Dr Nicholas Valenzia and Dr Joshua Chircop.Amendments have been made to the Companies Act allowing for the introduction of regulations regarding Cell Companies carrying on or engaged in Shipping or Aviation Business (the "Regulations").The RegulationsThe amendments have introduced a new article to the Companies Act, which gives the authority to the Minister responsible for the registration of commercial partnerships (the "Minister") to make the Regulations. The Regulations are expected to be promulgated under Maltese law imminently.The Regulations are expected to provide for the formation, constitution, authorisation and regulation of Cell Companies carrying on or engaged…
Nicholas Valenzia
15th May 2020
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MIA CPE Event – The formation and support of shipping and aviation companies – A legal aspect Shipping, Yachting and Transport

MIA CPE Event – The formation and support of shipping and aviation companies – A legal aspect

Dr Nicholas Valenzia and Dr Denise Abela will deliver a presentation at a CPE event organised by The Malta Institute of Accountants, which will be held on the 15 June 2018 at the Tower Training Centre, Swatar.The event will focus on the key elements relating to companies involved in the ship/aircraft ownership and operation, including aspects relating to eligibility of registration of ships and aircraft in Malta. The seminar will also give a general overview on modern trends in ownership and operational structuring such as leasing. For further details on the event, kindly view the following link:http://www.miamalta.org/CPEEventDetails.aspx?cpeeid=10332
Nicholas Valenzia
4th June 2018