Valletta

Size limits

LOA 339m, draught 11.0m, beam 43.0m, 56,032DWT

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

MHWS, 0.69m, MHWN, 0.61m, MLWN, 0.57m, MLWS, 0.49m.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The Fairway Buoy is located in position 35°54.8'N 014°32.5'E, 0.9nm NE of the N Breakwater Light (St Elmo), (L Fl 10s), red and white pillar, situated between the breakwaters. The 300m wide entrance to The Grand Harbour (Il-Port Il-Kbir) faces E and is protected by two breakwaters. Minimum depth at the entrance is 15.8m and the fairway has been dredged to 13.7m along to the main quays.

Port limits

The port limits are marked by the breakwaters (35°54.2'N 014°31.5'E)

Traffic schemes and VTS

Instructions to vessels are sent via the Palace Tower Signal Station, callsign 'Valletta Port Control'.

Anchorages

The bunkering areas are along the coast, shelter will depend on the weather conditions.

Permission to anchor for shelter may be given depending on weather conditions and individual circumstances. Vessels may be given permission to drift off the lee coast.

Restrictions

Large vessels are berthed in daylight hours only.

Tugs

A number of vessels are equipped with fire fighting and salvage facilities, available 24 hours.

Charts and publications

BA 974, 194, 2538, 2537, 2623, 195, 36. Admiralty Pilot NP45, NP286(3).

Communications

Malta Radio, callsign "9HD", works throughout 24 hours with WT, RT and VHF. Radio telephone working frequency 2625kHz. Listening frequency 2182kHz.

VHF: Port & Pilots: Ch 12, 16; 11, 14.

Tugs: Ch 16; 06, 11, 12, 14.

Small craft: Ch 09.

Coastguard/Rescue Centre: Ch 12, 16.

Notice of readiness

NOR can be tendered on arrival in Malta Roads. Normally, terminal accepts NOR after a vessel berths.

Documents

Customs officers bring pratique forms onboard on vessel's arrival. These are to be completed immediately by the Master. The Master can request blank forms which can be completed prior to the vessel's next arrival at Malta.

Health

Pratique can only be applied for after Customs and Immigration officers have boarded vessel on arrival and inspected ship's documents. The Master will be asked to declare last port and country from which food and water supplies were taken. There should be no problems if last port/country is disease free.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.

Port Health Office, Crucifix Hill, Floriana, Malta, Tel: +356 247678.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Master must declare any currency which will be leaving the ship, for example, salaries of crew members who are leaving Malta.

Officer's allowances: One bottle of spirit and 200 cigarettes per week each.

Crew allowance: Two hundred cigarettes each week.

Penalties for non compliance vary from confiscation of goods to fines depending on individual cases. Crew's effects must remain onboard at all times.

Immigration: Master will be asked by Immigration officer if there are any stowaways onboard. Immigration officer will inspect crew and passenger lists on arrival.

Any joining crew or passengers who are citizens of certain countries require entry/transit visas. On this basis, information is required two or three days before any arrivals, including confirmed onward bookings.

Customs Department, Lascaris, Valletta, Malta, Tel: +356 233014, Fax: +356 245224.

Immigration Police, Police Headquarters, Floriana, Tel: +356 224002.

Flags

Malta flag to be hoisted on arrival. Other flags to be used depending on health conditions onboard, the presence of dangerous goods or other special conditions.

Notices and regulations

All vessels within the ports of Malta have to adhere to all regulations enacted by the Malta Maritime Authority Act, 1991, Ports Regulations, 1966, Dock Safety Regulations, 1953, the Dangerous Cargo Ships, Marine Terminals and Facilities and Bunkering Regulations, 1996 and any other directives issued by the Executive Director (Ports).

Checklists regarding dangerous goods have to be presented.

There is a speed limit of 10kts when within 1nm of the coast anywhere in Malta.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Malta Maritime Authority, Maritime Security Compliance Department.

Contact person: National Maritime Security Compliance Manager

Address: Malta Maritime Authority, Valetta, VLT 01, Malta.

Tel: +356 2291 4513

Fax: +356 2291 4599

Mob: +356 9949 5393

Website: http://www.mma.gov.mt

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Available. The services provided range from major conversions to hull cleaning, engine overhauls and underwater repairs. Max tonnage 300,000DWT.

Dry docks

The Malta Drydocks, the largest ship repair yard in Malta, with 2km of deep water berths and 7 drydocks can accommodate vessels of up to 300,000DWT.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Limited amount ex-barge is available with as much notice given as possible, subject to permission from the Water Authority.

Bunkering: Facilities are available both inside the harbour and offshore. Within the harbour, any type of fuel can be delivered by road tankers or barges depending upon where the vessel is berthed.

Medical

Medical facilities are available in the port area. Medical facilities are also available at the general hospital, 2km.

Crew change

Crew exchanges are very frequent in Malta, since the island has numerous hotels covering all price ranges and frequent air links.

Transport

Nearest airport: Malta International Airport (6km).

Airport facilities: Passenger and freight service with direct air links to over 40 destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the United States of America.

Working hours

Customs and Cargo Handling Company employees work from 0800-1200hrs and from 1300-1700hrs Mon to Fri, excluding Public Holidays. However, work outside the stated hours, including work on Sat, Sun and Public Holidays can be arranged against payment of overtime.

Where it is

Valletta is situated on the SE coast of Malta.

The port

The port of Valletta is a natural deep water harbour, extending 3.6km inland, protected by a two arm breakwater which renders it a safe all weather port throughout the year. It is furnished with a series of multipurpose quays used primarily for the handling of cruise, conventional and unitised cargoes. Depth of water in harbour varies from 5.0-15.0m. Facilities for ship repairs, drydocking, transhipment, storage and warehousing are also available.

Traditionally the harbour has always been a naval and commercial port providing a complete range of maritime services.

Traffic

Approx 8,000,000t of cargo, 76,000TEU, 22,600 vessels and 60,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Valletta?

Pilotage is compulsory for vessels exceeding 500GT.

What time zone is Valletta in?

Local time at Valletta is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Valletta?

The deepest berth listed is at Enemalta: 11.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Valletta?

1025.

Which load line zone is Valletta in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Valletta?

Port State Control at Valletta: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Valletta?

The UN/LOCODE of Valletta is MTMLA.

What crews who called at Valletta say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

Read and add tips for Valletta →