For over 20 years, yachting has been at the core of our practice and passion at AG Advisory Limited. Our love for the sea and the ever-evolving global yachting industry continues to drive us forward. The remarkable advancements we’ve seen in recent years inspire us to keep striving for excellence.
Our mission is to contribute to the industry's growth by promoting professionalism and elevating quality, while preserving the essence of yachting—offering clients the unforgettable experiences that make this industry so special.
With this in mind, AG Advisory is committed to providing truly bespoke services. Leveraging our extensive knowledge and experience, we aim to deliver top-tier, timely, and insight-driven advisory services. We are constantly pushing the boundaries, understanding what it takes to achieve superior results, and putting everything in place to do so. Our focus is on supporting yacht owners, representatives, family offices, captains, managers, as well as professionals such as lawyers, CSPs, accountants, and tax practitioners—ensuring they have the expertise needed to offer tailored and professional solutions to their clients.
Malta remains our base, and it has grown into a leading center for yachting services, becoming a flag of choice for many. Its reputation as a prime yachting jurisdiction continues to thrive, not just through yacht registration, but also with its comprehensive offerings—marinas, repairs, refits, chartering, and more. We’ve proudly been part of this success story since 2003, providing specialized services across these sectors.
Over the years, we have forged strong relationships with other top flagging jurisdictions, including the Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, and Marshall Islands. The Cayman Islands, a leader for yachts over 500GT, offers unparalleled service and regulatory excellence. Meanwhile, the Marshall Islands have earned recognition for their innovative solutions and forward-thinking contributions to the industry. Together, these partnerships allow us to provide our clients with the best possible options in yachting registration and management.
We offer a wide range of services in yachting
Advisory & Legal Services
At AG Advisory, our primary focus is on providing comprehensive advisory services tailored to the yachting industry. With years of experience and an extensive global network, we are equipped to support a wide range of projects across various jurisdictions.
Our involvement is flexible and based on your specific needs. We recognize that every project is unique and requires careful attention to detail. Whether you need advise on the overall project, at the start of the project, or any particular aspect which requires specific knowledge we are there to assist. Legal services remain the core of our offering and we will happily support your team with legal advise on matters within our competence extending from purchase/sale, to employment laws, IP rights, yacht finance, to general corporate and tax matters.
Additionally, our services extend to corporate structuring, VAT and Customs matters, financing, banking, payment services, insurance, and any other support you may require. We are dedicated to providing the expertise and solutions needed to ensure the success of your project.
VAT Advisory, Customs & Compliance
Whether it's a new build, refit, or a complex yacht structure, AG Advisory leverages its deep expertise in yachting to help you and your clients navigate the challenging areas of VAT and Customs compliance. Any yacht owner, operator, or user within the EU must adhere to these regulations, and the days of taking a casual approach are over — mistakes in this area can be costly. VAT is no longer just an EU consideration, as other regions, including the UK, Dubai, and Southeast Asia, also apply VAT or similar indirect taxes.
At AG Advisory, we are ready to step into any existing or upcoming project to review, analyze, and advise on compliance with current laws and regulations, while also optimizing processes for future operations. With our extensive network of VAT specialists across multiple jurisdictions, we are positioned to provide high-quality services efficiently and effectively.
We often encounter structures that need attention, even if it’s just to verify that the correct principles and procedures are in place. We call these 'Health Checks,' and we’re prepared to assist with any yachting project, no matter where your base is or where you plan to navigate.
In Malta, we offer direct fiscal representation, along with Customs and VAT support, for any yachting project you or your clients are considering.
Yacht Registration
We offer comprehensive support for the registration of yachts of all sizes, whether for private use or commercial operations. Our team works directly with key flag registries, including Malta, the Cayman Islands, the Marshall Islands, and the Isle of Man, ensuring efficient and clear document processing. We also maintain strong relationships with other major Red Ensign flags, such as Gibraltar and the BVI, as well as the Cook Islands and other emerging registries, and we are pleased to assist with these as well.
Yachts are complex vessels, and a crucial part of our service includes access to a network of trusted surveyors—whether Class, Flag, or Government-appointed—who provide the specialized technical expertise required for each project. For unique cases, we also collaborate with designers and naval architects, and we are happy to recommend and introduce professionals we trust for specialized projects.
Crew contracts and crew payroll
Crew members are at the heart of every yachting project, and at AG Advisory, we prioritize building strong, healthy working relationships with them on each of our projects.
Well-structured and balanced crew contracts are essential for protecting the rights of both crew and yacht owners, ensuring that any issues can be addressed promptly and fairly, preventing potential abuse.
Timely and organized payroll services, developed in collaboration with captains and crew, are another key aspect of our offering. We understand the importance of crew members meeting their financial obligations at the end of each month. We also ensure compliance with legal and tax requirements, including the payment of social security contributions where applicable. Proper payroll documentation, like payslips, is essential for crew members to access banking services, open accounts, or secure loans — critical steps that can be challenging without proper records in today's world.
AG Advisory is committed to streamlining the processes for efficient crew hiring, dismissals, and payroll management for any yacht project.
Banking, Payment Services, Accounting & financial administration
Yachts present complex operational challenges that require specialized expertise beyond basic education. Managing a superyacht's budget, provisioning, or payment services involves a broad range of skills, from payment processing and VAT compliance to bookkeeping and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations.
Today, advanced IT solutions and technology enable us to stay at the forefront, providing efficient accounting solutions and operational support, while reducing the burden on the crew—allowing them to focus on their core responsibilities, especially during busy cruising seasons. We have implemented industry-leading systems to help prepare the books, verify same and prepare the accounting. Ensuring proper and timely accounting in any project is a must, and we appreciate this is expected from our clients. Our systems help streamline our processes, be on time and correct.
Securing banking and payment services for the yachting sector is particularly challenging due to the industry's complexities and associated risks (or perceived risks). Our clients expect premium service, and we are committed to delivering nothing less, ensuring their yachts are set up with the best possible solutions. By partnering with top-tier providers we continuously scour the opportunities to provide the best solutions offered by the market.