Maltese shipping register sails to new record

A record 29.5 million tons of shipping have been registered under the Maltese merchant flag, a record since the Maltese shipping register was established in 1973, Communications Minister Censu Galea announced this morning.

He said the record, achieved over the past few weeks, was accompanied by another first in that cruise liners are now being registered under the Maltese flag.

He said 12 cruise ships currently fly the Maltese flag, including some vessels operated by Royal Caribbean.

And the outlook looks good, with the industry magazine Fairplay having reported that 210 ships currently under construction will be registered in Malta, adding a further 12.5 million tons to the register.