Malta flag registers an increase of over 14%

Strong Positive Results in Ship Registration

Transport Malta, the Authority responsible for the Malta Ship Register, through its Merchant Shipping Directorate, reports a strong and positive performance for 2015.

As at end of the year, 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 the Malta Flag Administration, 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 6^th largest in the world. This success is mainly attributed to the continued effort of Transport Malta and the Maltese shipping community to attract serious companies to the Maltese Register.

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.

Mr James Piscopo, Chairman and CEO of Transport Malta commented “this status was achieved thanks to the efforts of all stakeholders including shipowners, seafarers and the efforts and commitment of the personnel of the Merchant Shipping Directorate of Transport Malta. Such achievement is testimony that commitment to quality pays and that the Malta Flag Administration has managed to concurrently increase both its growth rate and enhance the technical performance of its registered fleet. I take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders for their contribution and confidence shown in Transport Malta.”

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 worlwide, the Malta flag registered an increase of 10.8% over the previous year, in the registration of superyachts of over 24 metres in length. As of the end of December 2015, the superyacht fleet flying the Maltese flag worldwide was 501 yachts.

Mr Piscopo concluded: “these positive results encourage us to work harder to ensure that Maritime Malta continues to benefit from the associated positioning within these international sectors, 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.”

World’s most environmentally friendly ultra-large container vessel registered under the Malta flag

World’s most environmentally friendly ultra-large container vessel registered under the Malta flag

 Transport Malta recently registered the M.V. ‘Barzan’ on the Malta Flag, a vessel recognised as the world’s most environmentally friendly ultra-large container vessel.  Owned by the United Arab Shipping Company’s (UASC) and with a loading capacity of 18,800 TEU, the MV ‘Barzan’ is first in a new class of leading ultra-large container vessels. The 18,800 TEU vessels are the largest in UASC’s fleet to date and will set new standards for fuel and energy efficiency, due to optimised vessel design, an array of propulsion and equipment efficiency technologies.  Preliminary calculations indicate an EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) value that is close to 50% below the 2025 limit set by IMO.

 

On this occasion, Hon. Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Mr. Joe Mizzi, commented that “the MV Barzan registration confirms the firm commitment of Transport Malta in providing its clients with unparalleled level of service. We are proud to say that the Maltese Ship Registry is today a recognised registry of choice that provides the highest standards of safety, security and the protection of the environment.” The Minister also thanked the shipping industry, particularly UASC, for the confidence being shown in the Malta flag and reaffirmed Malta’s commitment to continue with its policy to further reinforce the Island’s maritime sector.

The registration of ‘M.V. Barzan’ consolidates the Malta flag as a highly reputable ship register, renowned for quality, reliability, professionalism and one of the largest flag in the world.

 

 About UASC

United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) is a global shipping company based in the Middle East. Founded in 1976, UASC has more than 185 offices around the world. The company is the largest container shipping line in the Middle East region and adjacent markets, covering over 240 ports and destinations worldwide. UASC offers containerised cargo transportation, temperature controlled (reefer) and out of gauge cargo amongst other value added services to a diversified global client-base. For further information, please visit www.uasc.net.

Transport Malta at the leading maritime exhibition of the Turkish Maritime Sector

Transport Malta is currently exhibiting at the Europort Istanbul, an international maritime exhibition organised jointly by the Turkish Chamber of Shipping, the NTSR (International Exhibition and Congress Organisations) and Ahoy Rotterdam.

Exhibiting under the brand “Maritime Malta”, the Malta Registry of Ships aims to consolidate its presence in Turkish shipping market and is used as an opportunity to further strengthen its existing ties and relationships with the Turkish ship owners and ship management companies.

 

The event brings together Turkish and International Shipbuilding and Subsidiary Industries, Ship Maintenance and Repair, Ship Equipment and Technologies, Port Management and Technologies, Port Logistics, Mega Yacht Equipment and Ship Recycling companies amongst others.

Malta Flag becomes the 6th Largest Merchant Ship Register in the World, Consolidates its position as Largest in Europe

Malta Flag becomes the 6th Largest Merchant Ship Register in the World and consolidates its position as largest in Europe with record performance in 2014

Transport Malta, the Authority responsible for the Malta Ship Register, reports a strong and positive performance for 2014.

According to the latest official statistics, Malta has now become the 6th 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, as at end of the year, the Maltese Register of Shipping registered 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. By end of 2014, the Authority had processed over 191,376 applications from officers serving or wanting to serve on Maltese ships, for the issue of endorsements attesting to the recognition of their certificate of competency issued by a foreign Administration. Of these, 16,639 were processed in the year under review.These statistics represent record figures for the Malta Flag and a significant achievement for the Malta Flag Administration.

Malta has also continued to consolidate its position on the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU White Lists. During 2014, the Malta 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 of 7 years, thus decreasing the average age of all the registered merchant fleet to 12 years.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Joe Mizzi, commented “this status was achieved thanks to the efforts of all stakeholders including shipowners, seafarers, the efforts of the personnel of Transport Malta, particularly those at the Merchant Shipping Directorate and a joint effort by the Authority and the Maltese Shipping community to attract serious companies to the Maltese Register.  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 worlwide, the Malta flag registered an increase of 13.6% over the previous year, in the registration of superyachts of over 24 metres in length. As of the end of December 2014, the superyacht fleet flying the conspicuous Maltese cross worldwide was 452.

Mr Piscopo concluded: “these positive results encourage us to work harder to ensure that Maritime Malta continues to benefit from the associated positioning within these international sectors, both from the substantial direct foreign revenue and value added in the economy. These results also represent yet another milestone towards further consolidating Malta as an international centre of maritime excellence in the Mediterranean.”