CRUISE PORT OF VALLETTA

Viset plc., operators of the Valletta Waterfront in Malta, offer a world-class selection of quality services, including excellent passenger facilities for cruise liner passengers. You can find details of these facilities below and most are available on a 24/7 basis throughout the year (except when national activities are carried out in port as on the 31st March and the 8th September) and the port facilities are ISPS compliant. The port of Valletta itself is referred to by some as the “hub of the Mediterranean” due to its central location and being well connected to Europe, North Africa and the Middle-East.


TECHNICAL DETAILS

General Data
Coordinates: Latitude: 35° 53' 32 N, Longitude: 14° 30' 46 E
Tugs are available (although not compulsory)
The Port Duty Officer is available at any time of the day
Customs officers and quarantine officials are available 24 hours a day.
Linesmen are available on a 24-hour basis
Stevedoring services are available
Fresh water supplies are available
Garbage collection services are available
The harbour is open 24 hours a day, every day.

Quay Information
Pinto Wharf and it`s spill-over quays are dedicated cruise and ferry berths able to accommodate virtually any size of cruise vessel.
Quay lengths are:
Pinto 1 and 2 - 307 m
Pinto 3 - 171 m
Pinto 4 and 5 - 250 m
Gun Wharf Quay - 92 m
Wine Wharf Quay - 73 m
Deep Water Quay - 488 m

Berthing Limitations
Length: Up to 330 m
Width: Unrestricted
Max. Draught: 13.7 m
Maximum tonnage: 300,000 DWT
Tide Variation: 0.3 m
Maximum Passengers: No limitations

Approach Instructions
Entering Maltese territorial waters (12 nautical miles from the nearest coast) Valletta Port Control must be contacted two hours prior to arrival and advised of ETA. Information to be supplied includes:
- Name of Vessel
- IMO Number and Port of Registration/Flag
- Vessel Dimensions (LOA, Draft and Beam)
- Details of Cargo
- Ship`s Agent
- Number of Passengers
- Last Port of Call

Port Charges
Port charges are charged at a standard rate according to the Net Tonnage of a vessel. Rates are available from the Malta Maritime Authority.

Radio Frequencies
The call sign is 9HD and is available 24/7 with WT, RT and VHF. Radio Phone working frequency is 2.625kHz and listening frequency 2.182kHz. VHF calls include Channels 12/14/16. Pilot VHF can be found on Channel 12.

Cruise Terminal
The Valletta Waterfront offers two terminals: the Pinto Terminal and the Magazino Terminal, both of which offer access to passengers with special needs. These impressive and historic buildings include state-of-the-art check-in facilities, a comfortable waiting area, restrooms and baggage facilities.

Ship Supplies
The ISSA (International Ship Suppliers Association) and OCEAN (European Ship Suppliers Organisation) registered Malta Ship Suppliers Association incorporates some of the best ship suppliers trading in Malta. The Association expects from its members a high level of business practice comparable with international standards.

Bunkering
Fuel Grades: IFO range from 380 to 30 CST, Gas Oil (Diesel)
Bunkering available via Road Barge, Bunker barge or Pipeline.

Port Authority
Maritime Trade Centre, Xatt l-Ghassara ta' l-Gheneb, Marsa MRS 1917
Tel: (+356) 2122 2203 - Fax: (+356) 2125 0365
Email: info@mma.gov.mt - Web: www.mma.gov.mt

Pilotage
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels exceeding 500 Gross Tonnes, unless they are unable to obtain the services of a pilot due to adverse weather conditions or when the ship has been exempted from pilotage by the Malta Maritime Authority. Valletta Port Control will supply all necessary information as to where the pilot is to board the vessel etc., and pilots require 2 hours advance notice prior to boarding. Pilotage is available on a 24-hour basis:

Malta Maritime Pilots Co-operative Society Ltd
21 Pinto Wharf, Floriana, FRN 1910, Malta
Tel: (+356) 21227028 - Fax: (+356) 21227029
Email: mmp@maltapilots.com.mt

Towage
Tug Malta Ltd.
37, Sir Luigi Preziosi Square, Floriana FRN 1154, Malta
Tel: (+356) 21247121 - Fax: (+356) 21223013
Email: mail@tugmalta.com - Web: www.tugmalta.com

Customs
Customs (Baggage Room)
Pinto Terminal, Pinto Wharf, Floriana, Malta
Tel: (+356) 21233014 / 21233868 - Fax: (+356) 21245224
Email: baggage@customs.gov.mt

The Grand Harbour
Passengers aboard a cruise ship will feel as though they are being transported back in time as the ship enters the Grand Harbour and the stunning fortifications built during the time of the Knights of St. John. The port itself has been in use for thousands of years going back to the times of the Phoenicians and Carthaginians who put this natural deepwater all-weather port to good use as a crucial hub along their trade routes. Indeed the strategic importance of Malta`s position in the centre of the Mediterranean has led to it being the centre of many conflicts throughout the passage of time, most recently during the Second World War.

The port is also situated at the door of the historical city of Valletta, which is a UNESCO World Heritage city. This makes the Grand Harbour an ideal port of call since passengers can disembark and explore the many delights of Valetta without wasting any time actually getting there.

With over 300 days of sunshine and a year-round temperate climate, Malta's weather
alone makes it an enticing destination on any cruise.

Valletta
Among the many attractions of Valletta are the Barracca Gardens. Built atop the defensive bastions built by the Knights of Malta, these gardens command breathtaking views of the Grand Harbour and the fortified three cities. Another place of great interest is St John’s Co- Cathedral, brimming in riches which date back to the time of the Great Siege of of Malta, including the acclaimed Caravaggio painting that is on display in the Oratory of this opulent Cathedral. The Church Museum has on display beautiful Flemish tapestries. Passengers may be tempted to take a tour of what the capital has to offer such as buildings of historical importance including the Grand Master’s Palace and the many museums which are home to many unique artifacts, some dating back to the dawn of time itself.

The Valletta Waterfront
The Valletta Waterfront is an extremely popular venue with a choice of upmarket bars,
retail outlets and restaurants offering a variety of excellent cuisine.

Part of the Valletta Waterfront was formerly known as the Pinto Stores, dating back more than 250 years, and was built by Grand Master Manuel Pinto da Fonseca (1681 – 1773). It was completed in 1752 and consists of a wharf with honey-coloured limestone fortifications and baroque-style stores curving along the waterfront.

Dating back even further is the Valletta Waterfrontʼs Forni Shopping Area, formerly known as the Forni Stores which were built by Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena (1663 – 1736) in 1720. This shopping area offers a choice of wares to suit most tastes and is popular with both locals and tourists alike.

The Valletta Waterfront offers much of what makes Malta a unique port of call. Discover for yourself a fusion of fine dining, entertainment and shopping all in one elegant destination.