MSC Cruises liners will be calling at Malta every week later this month after an absence of a year due to hikes in fuel prices.

Speaking aboard the luxurious flagship MSC Preziosa, new Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said yesterday the return of MSC liners on a regular basis was a “very important event” and he was keen to see things restored to how they were two years ago in terms of visiting passengers.

In 2012, the cruise liner brought more than 160,000 passengers to Malta, a figure that was drastically slashed last year when MSC ships made only seven port calls.

This was the first and last visit to Malta by MSC Preziosa, as the Lirica will be operating the Malta itinerary.

Dr Zammit Lewis said despite being overshadowed by land-based tourism, the cruise line business in Malta increased by 10 per cent since 2011, three per cent above the Mediterranean average.

In the first quarter of this year, the number of visiting cruise passengers grew by 40 to 50 per cent over the same period last year.

“Cruise liner visitors are vital to our economy. Malta is blessed with a pleasant climate and social stability that is unparalleled by our neighbours,” the minister said.

In 2012, the cruise industry generated an income of €78 million. There are 40 liners listed on the Malta ship registry, making it the “undisputed leading registry in Europe”, according to Transport Minister Joe Mizzi.

He said Transport Malta was investing heavily in upgrading quays, such as the refurbishment of the Deep Water Quay.

MSC Lirica, represented in Malta by Hamilton Travel, will be visiting Malta every week between April 30 and October 27. It leaves on Wednesdays, visiting Trapani, Civitavecchia and La Spezia in Italy, Marseille in France and Palma de Mallorca.