Logistics services in Malta.

Malta logistics overview: modes, trade and gateways

Logistics services in Malta rely on seaport and airport access rather than land corridors. Goods move in and out mainly through the container and cargo facilities at Marsaxlokk and Valletta Harbors, and through Malta International Airport.

Shippers can arrange container shipping, general cargo, and vehicle or project loads through the two medium-sized ports. Air freight is available through the single airport with scheduled services. With a coastline of about 197 km and no land borders, almost all international freight is routed by sea or air.

When working with freight forwarders in Malta, look for experience with Marsaxlokk and Valletta Harbors, which handle the country’s seaborne trade. For container moves, forwarders coordinating with lines such as ANL, CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, HMM, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, Maersk, X-Press Feeders and OOCL can help align schedules and transshipment options.

Malta’s logistics performance index score of 3.3 is above the world median of 2.7, but the international shipments component is at 3.0, so scrutinize a forwarder’s track record on routing and space booking. Customs performance scores 3.4 against a 2.6 world median, and Malta is in the EU and a WTO member, so choose partners familiar with EU procedures and major trade partners such as Nigeria, Italy, Germany and China.

FCL and LCL shipping from and to Malta is centered on the medium-sized ports of Marsaxlokk (MTMAR) and Valletta Harbors (MTMLA). Cargo pier depths of about 16 m at Marsaxlokk and about 13 m at Valletta allow them to handle large container vessels, supported by good liner connectivity, reflected in a liner shipping connectivity index of about 57 in 2021.

These ports move about 3.0 million TEU per year, ranking 44th of 168 globally and 8th of 21 in the region. Major container carriers with offices in Malta include ANL, CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, HMM, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, Maersk, X-Press Feeders and OOCL. Sea routes from Marsaxlokk include about 958 km to Piraeus, about 1,119 km to Genoa and about 1,239 km to Barcelona. Both FCL and LCL options can be arranged through these services.

Air freight in Malta moves through Malta International Airport (MLA), the country’s only airport with scheduled services. Air cargo volume is about 3.4 million tonne-km in 2023, ranking 104th of 184 worldwide and 18th of 22 in the region.

This mode is most suitable for higher-value or time-sensitive goods found in Malta’s trade mix, such as integrated circuits, packaged medicine and aircraft-related items. With very short export and import lead times of about 1 day, air freight can support fast transit for urgent consignments to and from main partners in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Rail and road freight in Malta do not connect to other countries, as Malta is an island without land borders. No international rail links are available from its seaports.

Domestic road haulage is used to move containers and general cargo between Marsaxlokk, Valletta Harbors, Malta International Airport and inland locations. With all gateway access by sea or air, trucking mainly covers short drayage and distribution rather than long cross-border corridors.

Customs clearance in Malta operates within the frameworks of the World Customs Organization, which the country joined in 1968, and the World Trade Organization. Malta applies an average tariff of about 1.33 percent and is part of the EU, so EU trade rules and preferences influence duties and procedures.

The logistics performance index customs score is 3.4, above the world median of 2.6, and typical border compliance lead times are about 1 day for both exports and imports. For commercial shipments, shippers should ensure accurate commercial invoices, packing lists and transport documents to support smooth processing with customs and other authorities.