Pilotage
When vessels call at Maltese ports, pilotage is compulsory for vessels of 500 GT and over, except in cases where ships are legally exempt from pilotage. With respect to pilotage services, the Ports and Yachting Directorate is responsible for ensuring that the Malta Maritime Pilots Co-operative Society Limited adheres to its contractual obligations as established by the Maritime Pilotage Regulations 2003 and the Agreement entered into between the Authority and the Co-operative. Pilots board vessels at the Pilot Stations located outside Valletta and Marsaxlokk. In bad weather, boarding may be restricted to the harbour entrance. Pilotage is available on a 24-hour basis.
Towage
Tug Malta is the only licensed company that can carry out harbour towage operations within and between the harbours of the Maltese Islands.
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Mooring
The Authority licenses mooring men who work on a twenty-four hour shift basis. Mooring men are regulated by the Pilotage and Mooring Regulations 1975. Mooring men are expected to provide mooring services to ships in ports during berthing and unberthing operations.
Bunkering
Within the Grand Harbour, bunkers may be un/loaded ex-pipeline at Flagstone Wharf, the Deep Water Quay, and Ras Hanzir Dolphins. At the Port of Marsaxlokk bunkers may be un/loaded from San Lucian Terminals.
Offshore Bunkering: Bunkering operations are allocated in various areas around Malta. Vessels will be allocated a relevant area by the Ports and Yachting Directorate on arrival. Five different areas around the island are available and area is allocated depending on weather conditions. A fleet of 17 bunker barges which are owned by different private companies operates within this service sector
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