‘We must continue to work towards delivering a smooth and authentic Mediterranean experience,’ says VCP CEO

On Wednesday (today), COO of Global Ports Holding and CEO of Valletta Cruise Port Stephen Xuereb highlighted that he is “incredibly proud to achieve record-breaking results in 2024 with over 940,000 passenger movements registered during the year.

Mr Xuereb stated that this record reflects the cruise industry’s resilience and swift recovery post-COVID.

“Beyond the impressive numbers, we must continue to work towards delivering a smooth and authentic Mediterranean experience for which our islands are globally renowned,” he said.

Furthermore, he added that the Government is continuing its work on Quay Pinto 4-5, described as a crucial part of the cruise port’s infrastructure, with its completion expected to be within the next year.

“With this development and our status as the first Mediterranean port to offer onshore power supply, we are well-positioned to ensure sustainable growth in this sector,” he said.

He continued that in addition to its cruise facilities, Valletta Cruise Port issued a request for proposals for the Old Power House in December, and by mid-February, it will launch a public tender for the development of the Atrium car park.

2024’s numbers exceeded the pre-pandemic peak of 2019 by four per cent. Additionally, during the last 12 months, the Grand Harbour received 357 cruise ship calls.

This was announced during a visit to the Valletta Cruise Port by Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg and Transport Minister Chris Bonett, MTA CEO Carlo Micallef, Transport Malta CEO Kurt Farrugia, Chief Officer and Harbour Master at Transport Malta Fritz Farrugia and Mr Xuereb

The cruise industry is a major contributor to several sectors of the Maltese economy, particularly shipping services, retail, catering establishments and other tourism services in Valletta and the Grand Harbour region.

It is estimated that cruise ships berthing at the Grand Harbour contribute around €88 million to Malta’s economy every year, with €38 million in spending by cruise passengers and another €50 million by the cruise line companies.

Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg shared that the Government is determined to continue supporting this sector, while improving the overall experience of cruise passengers during their short stop in the Maltese Islands.

“We want cruise passengers to enjoy their experience and add our country to their bucket list for a longer holiday next time around. To achieve this, we need a comprehensive effort by all stakeholders, not only from the private sector, but also from different government entities and authorities. This is why we are collaborating with other ministries to make sure that as a country, we intensify our efforts for a better-quality tourism product in the coming years,” he said.

Minister Chris Bonett emphasised the strides being made in sustainability through the recent investment in shore-to-ship infrastructure. “The system, which has the capacity to power up to five cruise liners simultaneously, is directly improving the quality of life for thousands of families living in the vicinity of the Grand Harbour. The project is expected to cut pollution by 90 per cent for nearby residents by 2030.”

He further highlighted the importance of the Onshore Power Supply (OPS) project, marking Malta as the first Mediterranean port to have the technology, as a pivotal initiative that reflects the country’s leadership in sustainable maritime solutions.