Valletta has been chosen as the home port of a brand new cruise liner, the Mein Schiff 3.

The decision was described as “significant” by Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis as it showed the confidence the company had in Malta.

This market breathes life into our harbours and assists urban regeneration

Mein Schiff 3 is the first new ship built by German company TUI Cruises that will use Valletta cruise terminal as the regional port from where passengers can board to start their cruise.

TUI Cruises passengers taking trips from Valletta are expected to total 250,000 between 2011 and the end of this season.

“Cruises are an important component of Malta’s tourism strategy. This market breathes life into our harbours and assists urban regeneration,” Dr Zammit Lewis said when visiting the ship, which made its first call at Grand Harbour yesterday

He said there was evidence that “a substantial number of first-time visitors eventually returned” for a longer stay.

Together with TUI and other cruise industry partners, the authorities in Malta aimed to boost efforts and investment to reach the government’s objective for an increase in home porting and cruise business, Dr Zammit Lewis said.

He referred to recent statistics showing an increase in the number of cruise passengers and cruise liners visiting Malta this year. The number of cruise passengers in the first three months grew by 68 per cent compared to same period in 2013, an increase of 15,490 passengers and 10 extra calls by cruise liners.

The Mein Schiff 3, described by the company as a “green ship”, has a 25-metre swimming pool, an indoor pool with a whirlpool, a sports arena and a large LED screen.