The Malta Maritime Authority was set up as a distinct and autonomous corporate
body to supervise the organisation of the primary maritime services. It was established
by law in 1991 as a Government Agency and so vested with detailed regulatory powers.
The set-up of this Authority was to enable ports, merchant shipping and yachting
centres to operate within centralised framework. The Authority operates as
a distinct commercially driven organisation, committed to excellence in the provision
of services that are both effective and competitive. The Malta Maritime
Authority develops and support policies and initiatives consonant with the functions
and duties stipulated in the Malta Maritime Authority Act (XVII) of 1991. The
objectives of the Authority can be summarised succinctly:
To market Malta as a world maritime centre;
To facilitate foreign trade;
To render the administration, services and operations or Ports and yachting centres
more efficient and cost-effective;
To provide a sound financial basis for the Authority and achieve target return
on investment;
To standardise practices in line with the European Union;
To attract cruise liner traffic;
To market the Malta flag abroad;
To further complement maritime business activity;  The
Malta Maritime Authority's principal role is to create a climate that further
enhances Malta's maritime standing and associated business activities. The Authority's
aim is to develop and promote Malta as a maritime centre of international repute
that is capable of providing a comprehensive package that offers a wide range
of maritime services.
The functions of the Authority include:
The efficient
operation and further improvement of Ports and yachting centres;
The registration of ships and administration of the services contemplated in the
Merchant Shipping Act;
Overall control for the preservation of good order in territorial and internal
waters in Malta, in the Ports and their land and sea approaches;
The human resource development of port personnel and seafarers;
The prevention and control of pollution of ports;
The provision of appropriate safety measures related to Ports and shipping;
The overseas
promotion of Malta as a maritime centre;
Advice to Government on matters relating to Maritime activities and its development.
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