Maritime History of Malta

Malta is located in the centre of the Mediterranean, 93 km to the south of Sicily and 290 km to the north of Africa, at the crossroads of Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Malta's strategic position has, since time immemorial, placed the island at the forefront in the maritime sphere.

The Mediterranean sea which makes up only a 0.7% of the world’s waters, oceans and seas hosts 44% of world maritime trade. Malta’s central position in the Mediterranean sea, and in the middle of one of the major shipping arteries, has enabled Malta to offer a whole range of international maritime services and facilities. Malta is blessed with its deep natural harbours which offer protection to international shipping.

In the early 1500s, Malta was ruled by of the Order of St. John (whom later became known as the Knights of Malta) who enhanced Malta’s maritime position such as through the construction of a shipyard facility. Napoleon Bonaparte, on his way to Egypt in June 1798, eyed the maritime importance of Malta and snatched it from the hands of the Knights. The importance of Malta as a maritime hub was well known and the British took over the island in just less than a couple of years of French rule. The maritime activity which was enhanced by the Knights of Malta, was further improved and modernized over the years and became one of the most valuable assets of the British empire in the Mediterranean for around 150 years.

Malta became a State for all facts and purposes on the 21^st September 1964, the day in which it acquired its independence. It was time to change from a island fortress (military) economy to a market economy. Malta continued to take advantage of its maritime assets by developing into a maritime hub and has been ever since renowned for its well equipped ports, skillful seamen and has made excellent use of its position to enhance international trade. The Merchant Ensign was adopted on 12 November 1965, the design of which is based on the flag of the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta. The design of the Malta Flag includes a red background with the Maltese Cross in white in the centre and a white border around all four sides of the flag. The Malta Flag is the similar to the flag as that flown by the Knights of the Order of Saint John in Malta up to 1798 to which a white border has been added. All Maltese registered vessels fly this flag as an ensign. Owners and Masters of Malta flag vessels must ensure that only the homeport Valletta and the Malta Flag are marked and hoisted on Maltese vessels.

In just less than a decade later, in 1973, Malta established itself as an open register of shipping. This was just the beginning of the Malta Flag Register under the Homeport “Valletta.” Over time Malta established itself as a renowned international ship register which offers ancillary services such as ship supplies and towage services, bunkering, shipyards, shipbuilding & repair as well as facilities such as a Freeport and Yachting Marinas.

The regulator of the Malta Flag, the Malta Maritime Authority, was set up in 1991 and was designed to administer the Malta Registry of Shipping and Seamen. The Malta Flag has experienced significant and constant growth since its birth and has now established itself amongst the largest shipping registries in the world in terms of tonnage.