The Merchant Shipping Act was crucial for Malta to gain its strong reputation in the maritime field, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Aaron Farrugia said during a symposium organised by Transport Malta, in collaboration with the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, the Malta Maritime Law Association, and the Malta International Shipowners Association.
The Merchant Shipping Act regulates the registration of ships and sailors under the Maltese flag.
The Malta Shipping Symposium, titled 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow' brought together industry experts, policymakers, legal professionals, and maritime stakeholders "to look back on the lessons learned in the past 50 years and discuss various aspects of the maritime industry in Malta to make sure that Malta further consolidates its position as a centre of maritime excellence. With a rich history and a promising future, Malta has become a global hub for shipping and maritime services. This symposium provided a platform for thought-provoking discussions, networking opportunities, and exchanging insights and best practices," a government statement read.
During the symposium, Minister Aaron Farrugia praised the strong dialogue between the stakeholders within this industry and the regulator. The Minister also announced a strong investment in the digital transformation of the operation of the Malta Ship Registry. "We will continue to invest to strengthen this registry and continue to make our country a centre of excellence. It is crucial that we continue to build on technological advancements while also investing in the human element to ensure accessibility and keep offering a strong legislative framework," concluded Minister Farrugia.
From his end, the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen Ivan Sammut thanked all the stakeholders in this industry for their participation in the Malta Ship Registry over the past 50 years. "This industry is going through a strong transformation, both from an environmental and sustainability point of view, as well as a digital transformation. The future is full of challenges, but we are convinced that we will be turning these challenges into opportunities for a better future. The Maltese Ship Register will continue to maintain a good dialogue with all stakeholders to ensure a better and sustainable future".
Transport Malta CEO, Jonathan Borg reiterated the importance of this symposium. "We are organising the Malta Shipping Symposium on this important occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Malta Shipping Act. This symposium served as the ideal platform to reflect on our maritime heritage, discuss the present challenges and opportunities, and think about a sustainable future for the industry. Let's move forward to continue with a strong dialogue with all interested parties within this important industry for our economy."