A flourishing economy
The islands of Malta, which have approximately 430,000 inhabitants and which cover no more than 320 sqkm, have the smallest economic zone of all the euro countries. Overall, however, trade and industry are strong there.
A report from Malta (pointing to the CIA ‘World Factbook’ as a source) has it that Malta weathered the euro area’s economic crisis better than many an EU country. Per capita income is continuing to grow, with the economy relying on a strong fi- nancial sector and online business. As the country produces less than a quarter of its own food needs, has only a limited amount of fresh water as well as modest sources of energy, it relies heavily on foreign trade, manufacturing as well as on tourism for its prosperity.
It is already clear from this that shipping will stay at the heart of the islands’ economy and will continue to provide links to and from neighbouring European and African countries, as well as with more distant nations in Asia and elsewhere globally.
Shipping and logistics
For centuries, Malta’s population has therefore been particularly concerned with the shipping industry and the concomitant trade relations. This is evidenced by the numerous shipping lines operating here that to this day give the small state the feeling of being in close contact with the rest of the world.
Of course, the shipping business also includes traffic of the transported goods between ports and recipients in the hinter- lands. Logistics and associated activities are therefore also factors that play rather important overall roles in the management of the country’s general economy.
‘Green’ infrastructure on the islands
Word from Valletta, the capital of the islands, has it that Malta is still in its infancy regarding what is called ‘green’ infrastructure and the corresponding measures that need to be taken in this context – which are at the top of worldwide agendas today.
Investment in the environment
Initial experiments, for example processing rainwater or cultivating environment-friendly roofing schemes integrating plants or other zones have been implemented, upon the initiative for example of Maltese ministries or Malta University.
It is important to once again mention maritime shipping in this context. Malta has the third-largest transhipment hub in the Mediterranean, the Malta Freeport, founded in 1988. The important transhipment gateway for shipping companies, located in Birzebbuga in the southeast of the country, enables liner services sailing between the Far East and Europe to make intermediate stops there.
The port has decided to up its commitment to the ever-increasing need for a cleaner global environment by investing heavily in environment-friendly measures. One recent example is an order for 15 modern rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) from the Finnish crane manufacturer Konecranes. They will be equipped with autonomous control systems and electronic devices designed to reduce the gateway’s impact on the environment.
Advantages of the Maltese Ship Register
• The Maltese register, one of the largest worldwide, offers its members a broad range of administrative as well as technical services; in urgent cases, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
• Ships can be registered by a legally constituted body or by a citizen of the European Union.
• The nationality of the master, officers and crew is irrelevant for the registration of a ship.