Malta remains one of the most influential forces in global maritime affairs. As Europe’s largest ship registry and a leader in super-yacht registration, the island’s maritime administration continues to strengthen its reputation for regulatory discipline, high-quality service and ambitious digital transformation.

Speaking with CEO Insight, Transport Malta CEO Kurt Farrugia outlined the strategic choices behind the registry’s sustained growth, the political and regulatory pressures shaping the maritime environment and his priorities for the coming years.

Quality as strategy
Malta’s fleet continues to expand, yet its approach remains deliberate and grounded in quality. Kurt Farrugia said the administration had never attempted to chase numbers. Instead, its competitive strength lay in its credibility as an EU flag and its consistent regulatory oversight.

He said shipowners selected Malta not only for efficiency but because they valued its reputation as a reliable and serious maritime regulator. Transport Malta’s 24-hour support for vessels at sea and its strong performance across inspection and compliance regimes remained key components of that trust.

The Transport Malta CEO also noted that Malta retained a strong voice at International Maritime Organisation level. Recent discussions have become increasingly geopolitical, shaped by debate surrounding the global net-zero framework and wider international tensions. Even amid this complexity, the registry continues to focus on agility, system upgrades and anticipating new regulatory requirements.

Malta’s guiding principle remains sustainable growth aligned with the highest safety and compliance standards.

Digital leadership
Under Kurt Farrugia’s watch, digital modernisation has rapidly become a central pillar of Transport Malta’s strategy. Within six months of his appointment in August 2024, the administration introduced full electronic statutory certificates.

What began as a logical update soon became a clear signal to the global market. The transition demonstrated that the Maltese flag was committed to operating as a contemporary, technology-driven administration.

Transport Malta is now advancing an integrated digital platform covering registration, payments and fleet management. Faster transactions, reduced bureaucracy and strengthened document security all sit at the core of this transformation.

With increased digitalisation comes heightened cyber risk. Farrugia stressed that leadership cannot coexist with outdated systems, and that innovation must extend across both technology and regulatory processes.

Technology with oversight
The next phase of development includes new service portals, automation and the deployment of AI tools. Farrugia said these are not being adopted for novelty, but as structured enhancements designed to improve operational efficiency and strengthen data traceability.

Malta’s scale inevitably places pressure on administrative resources given the size of its fleet. Automation, he explained, is intended to support staff rather than replace the personal contact that shipowners continue to value.

“The human element will always remain central,” Farrugia said. The objective is an administration that is less bureaucratic, more efficient and fully capable of maintaining rigorous oversight.

Seafarer focus
Malta continues to prioritise the welfare, mobility and training of seafarers. It was among the first registries to digitalise seafarer certification at scale, enabling faster processing and verification.

The administration remains committed to full implementation of STCW and Maritime Safety Committee obligations and expects Maltese-flagged vessels to uphold these standards without compromise. Farrugia said Malta has consistently played an active role at IMO level in shaping policies related to seafarer welfare and competence.

Decarbonisation reality
Sustainability and decarbonisation dominate the global maritime agenda. Farrugia said Malta has been closely involved at both EU and IMO levels in shaping the Net-Zero Framework and emissions-reduction initiatives. Malta supports these measures provided they are applied globally and evenly.

Fuel uncertainty remains a major challenge. LNG continues to play a central role, while methane and emerging biofuels are gaining attention. Malta is expanding bunkering and storage capabilities so that by 2026, large operators can begin bunkering cleaner fuels in Maltese waters.

The EU Emissions Trading System remains controversial. Farrugia noted that ETS has encouraged diversion to non-EU Mediterranean ports without delivering genuine emissions reductions. Malta and Italy have therefore led efforts at Council level to pause ETS implementation while global solutions progress through the IMO.

Protecting reputation
Malta’s continued presence on the Paris and Tokyo MoU white lists reflects the seriousness of its compliance standards. Digital tools now support real-time verification and further reduce fraud risk.

Farrugia said transparency is essential as ESG scrutiny, sanctions and grey-fleet risks increase. Malta will not compromise its reputation for short-term gains. Historically, its long-term approach has ensured that quality tonnage consistently returns.

Service and stability
As registry volumes grow, consistency of service remains critical. Malta’s governance framework, stability and adherence to safety and environmental standards underpin its position. The registry’s 24-hour availability remains one of its strongest differentiators.

Shipowners regularly tell Transport Malta that while cheaper or more lenient alternatives exist, the quality and discipline of the Maltese system matter most. Farrugia added that the jurisdiction’s compactness supports responsiveness while preserving high standards.

Looking ahead
The IMO’s global Net-Zero Framework will dominate the 2026 agenda, and Malta intends to play a central role in shaping it. Further digital integration across the administration is planned to support ships, yachts, seafarers and commercial operators more effectively.

Malta will continue strengthening its position as the Mediterranean’s maritime hub by leveraging its geographic location and deepening its legal, financial and technical services ecosystem.

Maritime development also sits at the core of Malta’s Vision 2050 strategy, with Transport Malta’s regulatory leadership, innovation and growth expected to play a defining role in delivering those long-term ambitions.