Transport Malta Maritime
Ports and Yachting Directorate:
The primary role of the Ports and Yachting Directorate is to regulate, monitor and manage maritime activities that take place within ports and the internal and territorial waters of Malta. Other tasks falling within the Directorate’s remit are related to the efficient use of our ports and maritime facilities, which includes ensuring that port users and service providers comply with legislation and contractual obligations. The Directorate also provides technical advice and assistance to Government and private entities when they are organising maritime events within our ports and territorial waters. These tasks are undertaken to ensure that the right balance is achieved in the use of local waters for leisure and commercial operations.
Further to the above the Directorate is also involved in projects related to the maritime industry and provides assistance to Infrastructure Malta in projects being undertaken by the government entity in maritime infrastructural projects that include the building of new breakwaters, landing facilities, slipways, new pontoons, the upgrading and reconstruction of quays and other coastal structures. In addition, the Ports and Yachting Directorate also renders advice and support in relation to the Grand Harbour Clean Air Project which when completed will include the five main wharfs used by passenger ships, three on the Pinto Wharf in Floriana, the Deep-Water Quay in Marsa, and Boiler Wharf in Senglea. The system will allow ships to connect to the on-shore power electrical system and turn off the engines as soon as they arrive in the harbour.
In addition to the above the Ports and Yachting Directorate is responsible for:
• The promotion of port services and maritime activities;
• Preservation of good order in the internal and territorial waters, including safety of navigation;
• Compliance and regulation of International and European Legislation and Directives;
• Prevention and control of pollution, including the provision of port reception facilities for ship-generated wastes;
• The provision of a safe and efficient maritime transport system;
• Ensuring the provision of technical nautical services, fire fighting facilities, supplies and other ship requirements;
• Regulation of yachting and maritime leisure facilities;
• The compilation of maritime statistics; and
• The organisation of popular bays and swimmers’ zones including the annual Safety at Sea campaign.
more than ever, giving increasing and fundamental importance to safety of life at sea and the prevention of pollution from ships as well as compliance with international maritime conventions.
Merchant Shipping Directorate:
Ship registration and the provision of all ancillary services is the responsibility of the Merchant Shipping, a body set up by an act of Parliament within the aegis of the Ministry responsible for maritime affairs.Besides providing ship and yacht registration services, the Merchant Shipping is also responsible for the regulation, control and administration of all matters related to merchant shipping, the certification of seafarers, the fostering of Malta’s relations in international shipping fora, and the administration and implementation of international maritime conventions and agreements.
It has experienced significant and constant growth since inception and has now established itself amongst the largest registries in the world in terms of tonnage. The Merchant Shipping is now, more than ever, giving increasing and fundamental importance to safety of life at sea and the prevention of pollution from ships as well as compliance with international maritime conventions.
