Malta Ship Register Becomes the Sixth Largest Worldwide

The Malta ship register becomes the sixth largest worldwide, whilst remaining the largest in Europe. As at end of December 2014, the registered gross tonnage under the Merchant Shipping Act was 57.9 million gross tons with over 2,500 merchant vessels fly the Maltese flag.

Transport Malta, the Authority responsible for the Malta Ship Register, has reported a strong and positive performance for 2014. Statistics show that Malta has now become the sixth largest ship register worldwide whilst further consolidating its position as the largest Register in Europe.

In 2013, Malta ranked in the seventh place - in fact registering an increase of almost 6.5 million gross tonnage representing a growth rate of 12.5% over the previous year, which had also reported record figures. As at end of December 2014, the registered gross tonnage under the Merchant Shipping Act was 57.9 million gross tons with over 2,500 merchant vessels fly the Maltese flag.

Malta has also continued to consolidate its position on the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU White Lists. During 2014, the Maltese flag registered very positive results in terms of port State control 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 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 was seven years, thus decreasing the average age of all the registered merchant fleet to 12 years.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Joe Mizzi commented, saying that "The fact that the Malta Flag Administration has managed to concurrently increase both its growth rate and enhance the technical performance of its registered fleet further confirms the Authority’s adopted strategy to focus on quality. "Year on year record growth figures further consolidate the Island’s register as the flag of choice of the major International ship-owning companies and re-affirms Malta’s reputation as a leading maritime nation. I take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders for their contribution and confidence shown in the Malta flag.”

Today, the Malta Register has also become a world leader in commercial yachts registration where Malta has also registered positive results. Despite the current financial situation worldwide, the Maltese flag registered an increase of 13.6% over the previous year, in the registration of super yachts of over 24 metres in length. As of the end of December 2014, the super yacht fleet flying the conspicuous Maltese cross worldwide was 452.