Safe, secure and clean: Malta’s shipping record gets a boost in 2015

As at end of 2015, the Maltese Register of Shipping registered an increase of almost 8.3 million gross tonnage representing a growth rate of 14.3% over the previous year. As at end of December 2015, the registered gross tonnage under the Merchant Shipping Act was 66.2 million gross tons. 

These statistics represent record figures for the Malta Flag and a significant achievement for Transport Malta, since over 900 ships for a total gross tonnage of over 12 million tons were registered during the year. These results continued to consolidate Malta’s position as the leading Ship Register in Europe and the 6th largest in the world. 

In these last years, the Malta flag has experienced substantial growth and registered an increase of over 45% in terms of tonnage over end 2011.

Malta has also continued to consolidate its positive results in terms of its technical performance, thus reinforcing the quality of its registered fleet and its firm commitment towards safe, secure and clean shipping. This is also a result of the drive by the Maltese shipping community to attract more young and innovative tonnage to the fleet. The average age of merchant ships registered under the Merchant Shipping Act during 2015, was of 6.7 years, thus decreasing the average age of all the registered merchant fleet to 12 years.

Transport Malta has along the years developed a very strong regulatory platform that has enabled the Malta Flag to become a reputable and internationally recognised ship register. Malta’s ship register has grown not only in numbers but also in repute, and today, the country is increasingly adding high-class ships to its fleet, including passenger ships and superyachts.

Customer Centric approach to ship registration

Transport Malta runs the Administration in a customer centric manner, offering a professional and efficient service by an Administration that values long-term customer relations. Registration under the Malta flag is a fast and straight-forward process. It also offers the possibility of a 24/7 service available to guide shipowners, managers and captains through specific enquiries and challenges that might arise. The ship register is regulated by a framework of the highest standards based on international and European Union legislation.

Leader in Super Yacht Registration

Today, the Malta Register has also become a world leader in super yachts registration where Malta has also registered positive results. Despite the current financial situation worldwide, the Malta flag registered an increase of 10.8% over the last year, in the registration of super yachts of over 24 metres in length. As of the end of December 2015, the super yacht fleet flying the Maltese flag worldwide was 501 yachts.

Effect of Maritime Industry on Maltese Economy

These positive results encourage Transport Malta to work harder to ensure that Maritime Malta continues to benefit from the associated positioning within this international sector, both from the substantial direct foreign revenue and the indirect added value to its economy. These results also represent yet another milestone towards further consolidating Malta as an international centre of maritime excellence in the Mediterranean and a solid contribution towards the creation of quality jobs in Malta.

The shipping sector has a much wider impact on the economy when considered in depth. A simple example is a crew change on a ship that is in port or out at anchorage: this involves and gives business to the airport, hotels, taxis etc apart from the direct services shipping related services. Shipping and the ports industry need to be seen within the wider context. We definitely need to promote the industry better and make student aware of the career opportunities that exist both in terms of sea going jobs and also shore based maritime jobs.

Whilst promoting and facilitating shipping and port business we need to ascertain that safety, environmental protection and good order is not compromised. Our regulatory function is very important. We have taken some new initiatives to enhance our maritime inspections and enforcement sections and this is yielding results.  Transport Malta is also aware of its social and environmental responsibilities as a leading flag Administration. It is indeed for these reasons that Malta is an active player within EU and international fora to promote further developments in these areas. Indeed, last year also saw the re-election of Malta to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which is the highest body of IMO. Malta’s important role was recognised by all IMO Member States with its re-election with the highest ever number of votes in its category. This result has put Malta only behind Singapore and Turkey which are well established leaders in this sector.

Recent developments

In recent months, Transport Malta is also noticing more interest from foreign multinational companies to set up their maritime operations in Malta. This will further consolidate Malta’s position on the maritime map. It is also for this reason that the Authority supported the initiative of hosting the first ever maritime summit in Malta during 2015, which was a successful event.

This can be further achieved through healthy cooperation with all stakeholders. To this effect, Transport Malta has shown its full support to the Malta Maritime Forum which is a private sector initiative with the aim of coordinating the position of the various interests in the maritime sector with the aim of achieving a more holistic approach to policy making in this sector. This is also in line with other initiatives such as the ongoing support to the Malta Maritime Law Association and the Malta International Shipping Association, which are important stakeholders in the industry.

The Authority is also of the firm belief that the shipping industry will remain sustainable in the future, only if it is supported by hundreds of well trained and qualified professionals, including seafarers, engineers, maritime lawyers and research analysts. To this effect, one of Transport Malta’s priorities is to consolidate the maritime education and training system in Malta. It is a firm belief, that the backbone of the success in the maritime industry is the further development of our capabilities and investment in training and human capital. It is indeed for these reasons that recently Transport Malta has concluded a memorandum of understanding with the World Maritime University with the aim of further promoting the further development of maritime professionals in Malta.

Cruise lining industry

Last year was a good year with 324 Cruise liners calling at Malta at a total of 608, 178 passengers. This year the projections are also good. The upgrading of the Deep Water Quay will eventually provide additional berthing facilities. Like with all other ports, the challenge is to cater for the ever-increasing size of cruise vessels but we are confident in the future of Cruise Sector.  

Yacht Marinas

The response that Transport Malta had when the Sa Maison Marina RFP was issued is a clear message of the interest and demand for developing new Quality marinas. The Authority believes that in this sector, Malta still has a lot of potential to exploit both in terms of permanent marinas and seasonal facilities aimed primarily to cater for the seasonal/summer demand. Project such as the construction of a Breakwater for Marsamxett needs careful consideration since this has the potential to create one of the largest facilities in the Med. We are also looking at other potential sites but we need to be sensitive and also cater for a category of boat owners and fishermen who do not as such want the full services of a marina but a basic mooring. The challenge is always the limited protected sea areas that are available and wider social aspects.  

Offshore Bunkering

Bunkering is an important component of the package of services rendered to ships. Ships requiring bunkers are normally accommodated in bunker areas that are sheltered. We do not as such have congestion issues. Malta is a small island and there is a reality that under certain weather conditions it will not be considered safe to allow such operations.  Therefore it is not really a matter of introducing more bunker areas but rather an understanding that under certain conditions such operations, in the interest of safety, would need to be suspended.

Cargo

Domestic cargo imports have registered an increase over 2014. The Malta Freeport is doing extremely well with the core business of transhipment. Again the challenge is to meet the expectations and demands of the ever increasing size of container ships: now mega ships of 400 metres. We are in constant dialogue with terminal operators and service providers to ascertain that the services rendered meet the required expectations.