The Malta Maritime Authority has issued a report about the development of Yacht Facilities in Malta. The Malta Maritime Authority’s objective is to implement Government’s vision to establish Malta as a centre of excellence in maritime services by 2015. The Yachting Industry is one of the maritime clusters which has potentiality for growth, however there is the need to strengthen the infrastructure and develop permanent and temporary marinas.

There are currently six main yacht marinas in Malta. Three of which are managed by the Malta Maritime Authority (Msida, Ta’ Xbiex and Gozo), while the other three are privately run (Portomaso, Manoel Island and Grand Harbour). Malta is well placed to provide easy access to both itineraries in the Eastern and Western regions and draw demand from vessel migrating between the two. Malta’s strength in the field of yachting includes its strategic position, its skilled and specialized human resources and professional intermediaries as well as its economic services.

Potential sites for permanent yacht marinas include the Marsamxett Harbour, the Grand Harbour and other potential sites such as St. Paul’s Bay, Marsascala, St. Julian’s and Birzebbuga. If all of the projected permanent yacht marinas are developed this could result in new 3,360 berths for yachts of all sizes including superyachts.

Also there are also plans to provide for temporary marinas in various localities such as Cirkewwa, Kalkara, Marsascala and Mgarr, Gozo, thus providing for a total of 1,059 new temporary berths for the high season. These new marinas will be complemented with other developments such as hard standing facilities, yacht repairs and maintenance structures and yacht building.