The Malta Tourism Authority in association with Malta International Airport and local agents will shortly launch a marketing campaign to attract cruise ships and passengers to start cruises from Malta, Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco said today.

He was speaking on board the 90,000 ton MSC Poesia, which arrived in Grand Harbour on her maiden call this morning.

Dr de Marco underlined the importance of the cruise industry for Malta, saying it was directly injecting €40 million annually into the economy, as well as having a significant ripple effect.

One of those effects, he pointed out, was how the MSC Opera had just completed a major refit at No. 6 dock at Malta Shipyards. The ship was taken out of the dock for her sea trials today and will be delivered three days ahead of scheduled.

The Parliamentary Secretary said Valletta Waterfront was running out of quay space, particularly on Fridays, and efforts were being made make “every day a Friday” in Grand Harbour. At the same time, the government would lay a buoy to enable cruise ships to anchor off Xlendi, Gozo. It would also develop Boiler Wharf as a cruise liner berth and as considering cruise ship facilities in Marsamxett.

In welcoming the Poesia, MSC officials also announced that that the 135,000 ton MSC Splendida will be coming to Malta in July, just two days after embarking on its maiden cruise.

The 23-deck Splendida will be coming to Malta some 20 times over the summer and the following autumn.

Valletta Waterfront officials said works have started on an extension of Crucifix wharf which should ease berthing of leviathans such as the Splendida.

MSC sales representative Norman Hamilton, who said demand for cabin space was growing in Malta and was expected to rise sharply with the arrival of the Splendida. He said MSC is expected to bring 90,000 passengers to Malta next year.