The Malta flag registered record figures along 2015, which also translate into a significant achievement for Transport Malta, the Maltese authority in charge of the Malta Ship Register. In 2015 alone, over 900 vessels with a collective gross tonnage of over 12 million were registered. By the end of 2015, a staggering total of 66.2 million gross tons were listed beneath the Maltese Merchant Shipping Act.
Malta continues, therefore, to be the leading Ship Register in Europe as well as the 6th largest ship register worldwide. These positive results are deemed to be due to efforts made by the local authority and maritime industry stakeholders at attracting professional companies to the Maltese shipping sector and attracting a younger tonnage fleet. In fact, the average age of merchant vessels registered beneath the Malta flag was brought down from 12 years to 6.7 years.
Transport Malta Chairman and CEO James Piscopo stated that the Malta Register has also become an international leader in super yacht registration. A 10.8% increase in super yachts over 24 metres in length registered beneath the Malta Flag was recorded in 2015 over the previous year. This entails that by the end of 2015, a total of 501 super yachts were flying the Malta flag.
Due to a strong regulatory framework and a collective, continuous effort made by the public and private sector alike, the Maltese Ship register enjoys an excellent reputation and is internationally renowned. Following such positive results from last year, the industry looks forward to yet another successful year ahead.
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