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Transport Malta | Annual Report 2020
Executive Summary Joseph Bugeja Chairman & CEO
Merchant Shipping Directorate As of the end of December 2020, the number of ships registered under the Merchant Shipping Act was 8,807, for a total gross tonnage of 84.27 million. This represents a growth rate of around 2.48% over the previous year, with Malta maintaining its position as the largest register in Europe and the sixth largest in the world in terms of gross tonnage. The Directorate has also further strengthened its presence in the superyacht sector. Positive results were once again achieved in the registration of superyachts under the Malta flag. In 2020, the Malta flag registered an increase of over 6.6% over the previous year in the registration of superyachts over 24 metres in length under the Merchant Shipping Act, with almost 860 superyachts flying the Malta flag.