AG Advisory: Simplifying the complexities of yacht ownership through excellence and innovation
- Manuel Schembri
- Feb 4
- 4 min read
Founder Anthony Galea explains how the firm offers a one-stop shop solution, providing a sterling service to its world-wide customer base.
Edward Bonello
With the festive season steadily on its way, few of us are thinking of sailing and the high seas, however, it is not so for the yachting industry, for which winter, rather surprisingly is quite the busy time of year.
“Most of the preparatory work that enables us to provide a sterling service to our customers happens in the slower winter period, so in many ways, these months are crucial for us and for our sector,” says Dr Anthony Galea, founder at AG Advisory, a Malta-based advisory firm specialising in the yachts and jets industry.
A lawyer by profession, Anthony graduated in 2003 and was always drawn towards the then niche market of yacht registration – an area which was locally still in its infancy. As Malta joined the European Union, the sector grew from strength to strength. Today he leads AG Advisory crafting tailored solutions for yacht management and ownership.
Anthony describes Malta’s geographic positioning as both a challenge and an opportunity. While the island lies at a considerable distance from the ‘golden triangle’ of Portofino, Sardinia, and the Balearics, it has established itself as a destination of choice for luxury yacht owners, by providing exceptional service, world-class facilities, and compelling reasons for yachts to visit.
“Our aim is to simplify the complexities of yacht ownership. For many, their luxury yacht is more than an asset, it is their baby, and they would want nothing short of the very best service for it. Furthermore, yachts are highly complex machines, featuring advanced technology, hyper-sensitive instruments requiring sophisticated and specialised maintenance. The vessel’s exposure to the sun, sea, and salt only continues to expound the delicate balance that lies beneath the decks,” Anthony explains.
AG Advisory helps clients navigate all these challenges, with ease, ensuring that their luxury yacht is in ship-shape order and ready to sail whenever it is needed.
“Whether it is setting up the necessary structures for the purchase, registering the vessel, setting up the insurance policies to cover it, employing crew, managing budgets, handling luxury suppliers, or arranging maintenance and certification, we have it all covered,” Anthony reassures. “We serve as a one port of call, removing all the pain of the administrative burden, so that clients can focus on enjoying their time aboard uninterruptedly.”
Whether the yacht is registered in Malta or elsewhere, the firm’s extensive global network ensures seamless operations, regardless of the location.
The firm’s worldwide network also helps to keep it abreast of the very latest in trends and operations, positioning it optimally to advise and assist clients with their yacht-related conundrums.
“We track and try to follow emerging trends. Recently we have become interested in a new idea linked to the explorer yachts trend, as we feel that this segment of the industry may be interested by a tilt towards slightly smaller boats, rather than the massive vessels we were used to. The reasoning behind this is that the main boat would be accompanied by a secondary boat that would house all the ancillary services and equipment, such as the helicopter, support boats, diving equipment, submarine, hyperbaric chamber or even a fully-fledged medical clinic for when venturing hours away from land. All this understandably would take up valuable space on the main boat and create operational limits for all those living on board due to safety reasons. So, with this solution, the smaller main boat would in fact have larger, more livable quarters than the traditional set-up,” Anthony notes.
Fuel technology is another area of advanced innovation, with the industry exploring sustainable alternatives such as fuel cell technology.
“Maintenance and refits, which are crucial to a yacht’s longevity, require meticulous planning and execution. Apart from the considerable cost associated with all this, having the right people on board to carry out works is crucial, as it directly impacts the yacht’s performance and safety.”
While during the summer months the spotlight shines firmly on the captain and his crew who would be working round the clock to cater to the owners and guests needs, in winter, the focus shifts to maintenance, licensing, and certifications. However, winter does not necessarily only mean shipyards and maintenance. In some cases, especially the larger boats, winter also means a host of preparations for a transatlantic crossing, with the Caribbean or the southern hemisphere becoming a preferred destination for a second holiday.
“Having made a very considerable investment, owners often seek to get the best enjoyment out of their yacht, and when possible, wouldn’t give up an opportunity to leap on board for a second time in the year. At AG Advisory we are more than happy to cater for this while we adapt to the industry’s rhythms.”
Anthony is keen to note the importance and immense potential that lies within Malta’s yachting industry. “As things stand today, the industry is already responsible for over 2,000 jobs and €100 million in revenue to the local economy, but there is potential for further growth. At AG Advisory, we work to be leaders in the area as we want to drive the necessary energy for growth. That is why we are always seeking to propose new rules and regulations to increase Malta's attractiveness, considering the organisation of a major conference on yachting in Malta, aimed at showcasing the island’s capabilities and fostering international partnerships. It is also critical to complete the process commenced a couple of years ago to create a strategy for Yachting in Malta. By conducting an economic assessment, we will finalise and formulate a comprehensive policy, we hope to continue positioning Malta as a global leader in the sector.”
Anthony acknowledges that yachting is a luxury sector, but he also sees it as a platform for innovation, as well as an opportunity for personal development and employment in Malta.
“This is possibly one of the most exciting industries one could work in, especially for young professionals entering the workforce. We strive to be an employer of choice, offering on the job training (for newcomers into the industry) and opportunities to work in a dynamic and exciting industry, where passion is as important as technical expertise. By fostering a culture of innovation and excellence, we aim to attract and retain top talent, ensuring our clients receive an unparalleled service,” Anthony concludes.