UN/LOCODE: MTMLA📍 Malta

Port of Valletta (UN/LOCODE MTMLA)

❖ Coordinates: 35.8800°N, 14.5000°E

❖ Time Zone: Europe/Malta

❖ UN/LOCODE: MTMLA

## About the Port ### Geographic Setting The Port of Valletta (UN/LOCODE: MTMLA) constitutes the principal maritime gateway of the Republic of Malta, anchored within the expansive fortified Grand Harbour on the north-eastern littoral of the main island at 35.88° N latitude and 14.5° E longitude. The port operates within the Europe/Malta timezone (UTC+1 standard, UTC+2 during summer), synchronizing with Central European shipping schedules. Geographically, MTMLA lies at the nexus of the Sicily Channel, approximately 93 km south of Capo Passero (Sicily) and 288 km north of Khoms (Libya). The harbour comprises two interconnected natural basins—Marsamxett to the west and the Grand Harbour to the east—separated by the rocky Sceberras peninsula upon which the capital Valletta is built. This topography yields a deep, largely swell-protected anchorage with prevailing northerly winds deflected by coastal fortifications. ### Port Classification Officially situated in the Valletta district, MTMLA is a multifunctional port under the regulatory auspices of the Malta Ports Authority. It integrates containerized feeder handling, roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) traffic, dry and liquid bulk terminals, bunkering, afloat ship repair, and a dedicated cruise passenger infrastructure. While deep-sea transshipment mega-vessels are diverted to the Malta Freeport in Marsaxlokk, Valletta retains the historic, administrative, and high-value passenger core, accommodating vessels up to 300 m length overall and 12 m draft at designated quays. ## History ### Knights and Grand Harbour Maritime utilization of the Valletta harbours traces to Phoenician and Carthaginian anchorage, later institutionalized under Roman Melita. The modern port crystallized in 1566 when the Order of St. John commenced construction of Valletta on Mount Sceberras, simultaneously erecting massive bastions, the Cottonera Lines, and coastal batteries to protect the double harbour. Throughout the 16th–18th centuries, the Grand Harbour served as the primary naval anchorage for the Order’s galleys and as a convoy assembly point for trade with the Levant, supplying safe haven and hospitalier care for pilgrims. ### 20th Century to Present British colonial tenure (1800–1964) transformed the port into a strategic Royal Navy base; extensive dry docks at Parlatorio and French Creek serviced battleships and submarines. During the Siege of Malta (1940–1942), the harbour endured relentless aerial bombardment yet remained operational. Post-independence, the Malta Dockyard was civilianized. The creation of the Malta Ports Authority in 1972 and the 2000s concession of the cruise terminal to private operators modernized MTMLA, embedding it within contemporary Mediterranean liner networks. ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths and Terminals The port encompasses over 4.5 km of developed quay line. Principal wharves include Frank’s Wharf, SS Galley, Magazine Wharf, Pinto Wharf, Forni, and Boiler Wharf. Quay depths range from 7.5 m at marginal berths to 12 m alongside the cruise and container terminals, permitting simultaneous berthing of two post-Panamax cruise ships and several feeders. The Marsa container facility employs ship-to-shore mobile cranes with a throughput capacity of 200,000 TEU annually. Ro-ro ramps at Boiler Wharf handle trailer and car ferries linking to Sicily. Dedicated liquid bulk arms supply bunker barges and coastal tankers. ### Support Services MTMLA mandates pilotage for vessels exceeding 50 m LOA; a fleet of azimuth stern-drive tugs (up to 60 t bollard pull) assures maneuvering safety. The adjacent Palumbo Shipyard in Marsamxett provides afloat repairs, hull cleaning, and class attendance. Bunkering licenses issue IFO 380, MGO, and compliant 0.5% sulfur blends under IMO 2020. Customs-bonded warehouses, reefer clusters, and dangerous goods handling zones complete the logistics envelope. ## Economic Importance ### Cruise Tourism Valletta Cruise Port is the engine of Maltese tourism, recording over 800,000 passenger movements in peak years, with turnaround and transit calls from Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Costa. The terminal’s UNESCO World Heritage setting catalyzes excursion expenditure estimated at €150 million annually, sustaining retail, transport, and hospitality sectors. ### Cargo and Logistics Although transshipment is concentrated at Marsaxlokk, Valletta handles circa 2.5 million tonnes of non-cruise cargo per annum—construction aggregates, machinery, foodstuffs, and vehicles—critical for the import-dependent archipelago. The Malta Ports Authority (https://www.portsmalta.com.mt/) cites MTMLA as supporting roughly 12% of national employment in transport and storage, underscoring its macroeconomic anchor role. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Principal Shipping Lanes Valletta occupies the Europe–North Africa short-sea axis and the Suez–Gibraltar deep-sea corridor. Weekly feeder loops connect to Rotterdam, Genoa, Piraeus, and Barcelona; tramp services reach Tripoli, Tunis, and Alexandria. From 35.88 N, 14.5 E, vessels achieve 48-hour transit to the Strait of Messina and 72-hour passage to Port Said, favoring bunkering and crew changes. ### Cargo Profile Dominant cargo categories comprise containerized electronics/textiles, ro-ro vehicles, dry bulk cement/clinker, liquid petroleum and LNG, and breakbulk steel/timber. The UN/LOCODE registry (https://service.unece.org/etrades/unedocs/lo/lo_mt.htm) validates MTMLA for international customs documentation, seamlessly integrating the port into global trade frameworks.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

MTMLA

Country

Malta

Province / Region

Valletta

Latitude

35.880000

Longitude

14.500000

Timezone

Europe/Malta

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Valletta?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Valletta is MTMLA.

Where is Port of Valletta located?

The Port of Valletta is located in Malta, Valletta. Its coordinates are 35.8800°N, 14.5000°E.

What time zone is Port of Valletta in?

Port of Valletta operates in the Europe/Malta time zone.

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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