MALTA
The Country’s Political and Economic Situation
By the end of 2023, 9,550 vessels were registered under the Merchant Shipping Act, an increase of 8% over 2020 – putting the gross tonnage figure for Malta at 82 million, a decrease from 84 million in 2020. By the end of 2023, Malta had almost over 1,100 yachts and superyachts registered under the Maltese Flag.
More than 6% of the world’s merchant ship fleet is registered under the Maltese Flag. The Maltese register also ranks 6th in the Top 10 Largest Flag States in the Shipping Industry.
According to data released by the National Statistics Office, Malta has seen an increase of over 100,000 in its total population in the last decade, going from 421,464 in 2012, to 542,051 in 2022.
While having the lowest fertility rate in all of the EU, with 1.08 births per woman recorded in 2022, Malta continues to attract foreign workers, with numbers going up from 23,365 in 2012 to nearly 137,000 by the end of 2022.
Geographical Position
Though no place is considered to be far in today’s day and age, one cannot contest the added convenience that Malta offers due to its geographical position in the centre of the Mediterranean.
Of course, this is an advantage to principals since no diversions would be required to call at Malta, thus saving time and money.
Communication
While language might often be regarded as a barrier, the Maltese are known to have a very good command not only of the English language but also of Italian and Arabic languages, besides others. Furthermore, it is a known fact that the means of communication is practically all in English.
Malta’s Main Ports
Ports
The main Port of Valletta – the Grand Harbour – is a natural deep-water harbour, extending for about 3.6 kilometres inland. Its two-arm breakwater renders it a safe, all-weather port throughout the year, open on a 24-hour basis. A multi-purpose port, it is equipped to offer a large spectrum of maritime services.
At the Port of Marsaxlokk, indenting the East coast, is the Malta Freeport Terminals, a state-of-the-art container terminal with over 30 years’ experience in the industry.
Malta International Airport is about 20 minutes away from both ports.
Valletta Grand Harbour
The Port of Valletta is a multi-purpose port equipped to offer a large spectrum of maritime services.
Being 488m long, this quay handles mainly conventional cargo and provides facilities for the berthing of ro-ro vessels. Alongside this quay are three transit sheds with a global area of 8,500m2, together with ample storage space.
Pinto Wharf is a dedicated cruise and ferry berth, able to accommodate any size of cruise vessel. The lengths of Pinto Quay are as follows: Pinto 1 and 2 – 307m; Pinto 3 – 171m and Pinto 4 and 5 – 250m.
Formerly known as Boiler Wharf which formed part of the Malta Shipyards, Senglea Quay is now used for berthing cruise liners. The quay length is 383m with a maximum depth of 8m.
Flagstone Wharf is a petroleum berth, hosting petroleum storage facilities primarily used for the purpose of engaging in bunkering activities and fuel supply to the power station. Tankers of about 180m are normally handled at this berth.
This wharf – total length of 380m – provides facilities for the berthing of container and Roll On/Roll Off (RoRo) vessels. With a silo capacity of 86,000 tonnes, this wharf is primarily a cereal facility terminal operated by Kordin Grain Terminal Co. Ltd. Magazine Wharf is an extension of Laboratory Wharf, with a length of 250m and a depth of 15m. It can handle Panamax sized bulkers of up to 70,000 dwt.
The Port of Valletta also caters berths for ship repair purposes. These are located at the Dock Numbers 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and the Marsa Ship Building. There are also private ship repair yards, namely Bezzina Ship Repair Yard and Cassar Ship Repair Yard.
Valletta Gateway Terminals is responsible for the operation and management of the Grand Harbour Terminals. Being multi-purpose, the terminals can handle RoRo operations, trailers, containers, conventional cargo and also vehicles.
Marsaxlokk Port
The Port of Marsaxlokk indents the East coast of Malta between Il-Ponta ta’ Delimara and Il-Ponta ta’ Bengћajsa, about 1 mile SW.
Berthing facilities offered at the Port of Marsaxlokk:
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EVOS Terminal
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Delimara Power Station
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MX Dolphins
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31st March Installation
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San Lucian Terminals
Malta Freeport Terminals
Since its establishment in 1988, Malta Freeport has registered remarkable growth and is now a major maritime trans-shipment logistic centre in the Mediterranean region enjoying positive international recognition with global carriers as a reliable and credible port. Malta Freeport Terminals Limited amalgamates the activities of container handling and industrial storage.
