The Ports Directorate, which is considered as the Port Authority for all the Ports in Malta, has a regulatory and managerial role. As a port regulator, the Directorate is responsible for:
Preservation of good order in internal and territorial waters;
Safety of navigation;
Overall control of port work;
Provision of port workers;
Prevention and control of pollution;
Provision of pilotage, fire fighting facilities, supplies and other ship requirements

It is also the Government agency responsible for the licensing of marine commercial craft.

The Directorate is also responsible for managing and developing the Ports in Malta in an efficient and effective way. In fact it is responsible for port development and the provision of plant and equipment, whilst other port related services, including cargo operations, are contracted out or leased to the private sector.

The Ports Directorate is headed by the Executive Director (Ports) appointed in terms of Section 8 (1) of the Malta Maritime Authority Act, 1991. He is assisted by the Deputy Executive Director, the Harbour Master and the following departmental managers:

Operations Manager
Manager of the Office of Port Workers
Research and Development Manager