The following surveys require a licence:

1. 1. 1. 1. Acoustic imaging of the seabed and subsoil using multibeam echo sounder, side scan sonar, sub-bottom profiling, seismic reflection and seismic refraction profiling;
         2. Electromagnetic and electrical measurements;
         3. Gravity and magnetic measurements;
         4. Sediment sampling of the seabed;
         5. Seabed coring;
         6. Drilling of boreholes;
         7. Any other method which investigates the properties of the seabed and subsoil either by direct or remote methods.

In case of inspections by video/photographic cameras whether hand held by divers or using an ROV, only a no objection is required from this Department and no licence fees are applicable, provided that no marine scientific research, surveying and/or sampling of the seabed and subsoil will be carried out during the dives. In case of any data collection or sampling or researching or surveying, a licence from the Continental Shelf Department in terms of Regulation 6 of the Continental Shelf Regulations (S.L. 535.02) will be required.

Any submarine cable or submarine pipelines that transits the continental shelf of Malta requires a licence for a route survey and a licence for the laying and maintenance. Therefore, two applications are required and a licence fee is applicable in each instance.

The application procedure for either a route survey or for the laying and maintenance of either a submarine cable or a submarine pipeline is given under Submarine Cables and Pipelines section of this website.