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Malta Ports

Malta is one of three islands that make up the Maltese Archipelago and is strategically located between North Africa and Italy. For this reason, Malta has a rich history of being invaded by just about every culture that existed in the Mediterranean since 800 BC. The bloodiest was the invasion by an Ottoman fleet of over 30,000 men in 1565. This assault lasted more than 3 months and was won by 10,000 troops led by Jean de la Valletta, the city's namesake. Malta became part of the British Empire in 1814 and then completely independent as a sovereign nation in 1964. Valletta enjoys excellent Mediterranean weather year around, however plan on it be hot if you are visiting in the mid-summer. The official currency of Malta is the euro.

Malta is well served with natural harbours, the main international ports being the Valletta Grand Harbour and the Port of Marsaxlokk.  The second largest island is Gozo which can be reached from Malta by ferry from the ports of Cirkewwa and Marsamxett or by seaplane from the port of Valletta.  Gozo has one port – Mgarr.

Maritime activity centres on the 2 main Malteses ports, Valletta and Marsaxlokk, although a number of other ports occasionally host ships on international voyages, usually passenger vessels.  Both are capable of providing a comprehensive package of maritime services including towage, salvage, pilotage, victualing and provisions of all kinds of stores and supplies.

Ports and Yachting Directorate

The Ports and Yachting Directorate is responsible for:

VALLETTA PORT

The Grand Harbour or, in Maltese, Il-Port il-Kbir, lies mainly beneath Valletta, the capital city of Malta, and the Three Cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa and Senglea.

The Harbour mouth faces North East. Sheltered at the north by St.Elmo's Point breakwater, Ricasoli Breakwater arm is found at the south. Its North West shore is formed by the Sciberras peninsula (over which Valletta, and its suburb Floriana, were built). This peninsula also divides the Grand Harbour from a second parallel natural harbour, Marsamxett Harbour. The main waterway of Grand Harbour continues inland to Marsa. The south eastern shore of the Harbour is formed by a number of inlets and headlands, principally Rinella Creek, Kalkara Creek, Dockyard Creek, and French Creek, which are covered by Kalkara and the Three Cities: Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea.

The Port of Valletta, a natural deep-water harbour, extends 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, although entrance may be restricted during strong Easterly winds. The Port of Valletta is a multi-purpose port equipped to offer a large spectrum of maritime services including:

Warehousing and open storage facilities are available throughout the port area. The main quays available in port area are:

Deep Water Quay

Being 488 m 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 8,500 m2, together with ample storage space.

Fuel Wharf

Fuel Wharf is 150m in length, with a depth of 10m and hosts cement silos operated by private terminal operators who undertake cement- handling operations under concession by the Authority.

Laboratory Wharf

This wharf - total length 380 m - provides facilities for the berthing of container and ro-ro vessels.

Magazine Wharf

With a silo capacity of 86,000 tonnes, this wharf is primarily a cereal facility terminal operated by the 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.

Pinto Wharf

Pinto Wharf is a dedicated cruise and ferry berth ad 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.

Flagstone Wharf

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.

Wine Verandah

Wine Verandah is used for small ro-ro vessels.

Senglea Quay

Senglea Quay, formerly known as Boiler Wharf which formed part of the Malta Shipyards, is now used for berthing cruise liners. The quay length is 383m with a maximum depth of 8m. 

Other Berths

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.

Cargo Handling in Valletta

The Singapore-listed ports' equipment company Portek has secured a 30-year concession to operate a multi-purpose terminal in Malta. The concession was secured from the Authority by Valletta Gateway Terminals, in which Portek has a 55% stake. The Maltese conglomerate Tumas Group, which has interests across Europe in the hotel and property development industry, holds the remaining 45%. The concession, which started on 1 July 2006, will involve VGT handling containers, trailers, breakbulk, vehicles and other cargoes at the Port of Valletta.

More information can be found here.

Passenger Handling in Valletta

The operator of passenger handling facilities in Valletta is the Valletta Cruise Port (ex-VISET), a private consortium mainly made up of foremost local enterprises but also including participation from several International companies. The company has been granted an operational license and conceded a 65-year BOT lease for the operation and development of passenger handling facilities at Pinto Wharf.

MARSASLOKK - FREE PORT

Since its establishment in 1988, Malta Freeport has experienced remarkable growth and is now a major maritime transhipment logistic centre in the Mediterranean region. There are three main activities that have been established, namely two container terminals, the distripark facilities and an oil products terminal.

MALTA Yacht MARINA's
Grand Harbour Marina p.l.c
The Capitanerie, Vittoriosa Wharf
Vittoriosa BRG1721
Malta

Tel: (+356) 2180 0700
Fax: (+356) 2180 6148
After Office Hrs: (+356) 7980 0700
E-mail: info@ghm.com.mt
Website: www.ghm.com.mt
Contact: Ben Stuart (General Manager)
Mob: (+356) 79200849

Kalkara Marina Co. Ltd
Kalkara Wharf, Kalkara KKR 1501
Malta

Tel: (+356) 2166 1306 – 2766 1306
After Office Hrs: (+356) 2166 1306
Fax: (+356) 2169 0420
E-mail: info@kalkaraboatyard.com
Website: www.kalkaraboatyard.com
Contact: Claire Farrugia Delceppo (General Manager)
Mob: (+356) 99423 5999

Manoel Island Marina Ltd
Manoel Island, Gzira GZR3013
Malta

Tel: (+356) 21 342618
Fax: (+356) 21342619
Email: manager@miym.com.mt
Website: www.miym.com.mt
Contact: Pierre Aquilina (Marina Manager)
Mob: (+356) 99430140

Mgarr Harbour Marina – Gozo
Mgarr Harbour, Mgarr Gozo GSM2413
Malta

Tel: (+356) 2099 2501
Fax: (+356) 2134 1714
E-mail: info@gozomarina.net
Website: www.gozomarina.net
Contact: Michael Laferla (Berthing Master)
Mob: (+356) 9924 2501

Msida & Ta' Xbiex Marina
Creek Developments plc
53/1 Ta' Xbiex Seafront
Msida MSD 1515
Malta

Tel : (+356) 21337049
Fax : (+356) 21337048
E-mail: info@creekdevelopments.com
Website: www.marinamalta.com
www.creekdevelopments.com
Contact: George Mercieca (Berthing Master)
Mob: (+356) 7933 7049

Portomaso Marina
Marina Office, Portomaso Complex
St. Julians PTM01
Malta

Tel: (+356) 2138 7803
Fax: (+356) 2138 9655
E-mail: info@portomasomarina.com
Website: www.portomasomarina.com
Contact: David Azzopardi (Harbour Master)
Mob: (+356) 7949 5768

Fort Marina, Sliema
A&B Marine Services Ltd
10, Linjaq, Triq il-Hlewwa,
Zebbug ZBG 1221
Malta

Tel: (+356) 21466163
Fax: (+356) 21466163
E-mail: ab.marineservices@gmail.com
Website: N/A
Marina Office: On Board M/Y Drifa
Office Number: (+356) 99035787
E-mail: Ralph@drifadiving.com
Contact: Ralph Marshall (Marina Manager)
Mob: (+356) 99077449

Royal Malta Yacht Club
Ta' Xbiex Seafront
Ta' Xbiex XBX 1028
Malta

Tel: (+356) 21333109
Fax: (+356) 21331131
E-mail: info@rmyc.org
Website: http://www.rmyc.org/
Contact: George Bonello Dupuis,

 

 

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