A Maltese registered vessel carries an official number issued by Transport Malta, distinct from its IMO number, and knowing the difference between the two prevents confusion in agency and supply paperwork.
Two different numbers, two different purposes
A vessel flying the Maltese flag carries both an IMO number, a permanent seven digit identifier assigned once to a hull for its entire life regardless of flag or name changes, and a Malta official number issued by Transport Malta specifically for its registration under that flag. The two serve different purposes and appear on different documents.
The IMO number never changes even if the vessel reflags to a different country; the Malta official number is specific to its Maltese registration and would be replaced by a different flag state's own number if the vessel reflagged elsewhere.
Where this matters in day to day work
Port agency, customs, and supply documentation in Malta typically reference the Malta official number for local administrative purposes, while international class and insurance records reference the IMO number, so a supply order or agency instruction that mixes up the two can be routed to the wrong record.
Confirming which number a specific form or system expects, rather than assuming the two are interchangeable, is a small habit that avoids a document being filed against the wrong vessel record.
Verifying a Malta registration
Transport Malta maintains the official register of Maltese flagged vessels, and a registration can be verified against it directly, which is a useful check before extending credit terms or confirming a vessel's legal status to a new client.