The Valletta Cruise Port is seeking to include space for a new dedicated home port terminal within the government’s Grand Harbour Revival Plan, CEO Stephen Xuereb told this media house.
Xuereb, who also serves as chief Operations officer of Global Ports Holding, said the move forms part of a broader strategy to expand home porting operations and strengthen Malta’s position as a Mediterranean cruise hub.
The port recorded a landmark year in 2025, with 962,966 passengers passing through its facilities across 385 cruise calls. While this represents strong performance, Xuereb noted that most calls are transit visits, meaning passengers spend only the day in Malta. Cruise ships typically berth at 8am and depart around 6pm, limiting visitor engagement to roughly 10 hours.
The port’s strategic focus is now shifting toward home porting and fly-cruise operations, where voyages begin or end in Malta. Unlike transit calls, home port operations generate additional economic activity through air travel, hotel stays and extended tourism. Xuereb argued that cruise-and-stay packages are particularly valuable, as they encourage passengers to arrive earlier or remain after disembarkation, converting cruise visitors into stay-over tourists. This increases per capita expenditure, lengthens stays and deepens engagement with the destination.
Home port operations generally run between 4am and 10pm, sometimes extending overnight to accommodate boarding. However, the current terminal infrastructure is limited. The existing facility is small, and the company believes a purpose-built home port terminal is necessary to support its expansion plans.
Such a terminal is not included in the government’s Grand Harbour Revival Plan. Xuereb said the port is seeking further clarity on planned infrastructure changes before submitting a formal proposal. Ideally, the new facility would be located at the Deep Water Quay, which he described as the only logical adjacent expansion point. Splitting operations across multiple locations on a small island would be inefficient, he argued, and expansion toward the Deep Water Quay aligns with the broader government vision.
Xuereb welcomed the public consultation process surrounding the Grand Harbour plan, describing it as a long-term and transformative vision that balances heritage preservation, public access and mixed-use development. He said regeneration efforts complement cruise operations and enhance the wider destination experience. The cruise port and the Valletta Waterfront, he added, have already played a catalytic role in revitalising the area. The port is participating in consultations both independently and through the Malta Maritime Forum.
Space remains the port’s primary operational constraint. Situated at the foot of the capital beneath historic bastions, the narrow strip between quay and fortifications limits flexibility. Xuereb acknowledged these challenges but said operational efficiency has improved as a result. He also credited support from national authorities, particularly the Transport and Tourism ministries, and highlighted the importance of Transport Malta officials in managing traffic during busy operational days.
Looking ahead, 2026 is expected to build on the momentum of 2025, which surpassed pre-pandemic highs recorded in 2019. Cruise calls are projected to increase by around 20% to 420, although passenger numbers will remain broadly stable. This reflects a shift toward smaller, luxury vessels with lower capacity.
The rise in luxury cruising is influencing both port operations and onshore offerings. According to Xuereb, higher-end guests increasingly request exclusive experiences such as private concerts, lunches in private residences or curated wine-tastings. Luxury cruise lines sometimes even request scheduling gaps to avoid sharing port space with large ships. In response to growing demand for high-service travel, some major operators have adopted a “ship-within-a-ship” model, creating premium enclaves within larger vessels that combine exclusivity with the amenities of mass-market cruising. This hybrid approach allows operators to serve more discerning clientele without sacrificing scale.
Xuereb emphasised the sector’s strategic value as a gateway market: 80% of cruise passengers last year were first-time visitors to Malta. Of the remaining 20% who had previously visited, two-thirds had first discovered the island via cruise travel. Additionally, 87% expressed interest in returning for a longer stay, and nearly 90% rated Malta eight out of 10 or higher when asked if they would recommend it. In Xuereb’s view, cruises function as a powerful marketing channel, generating repeat visitation and sustained tourism growth.
He suggested that Malta could leverage cruise arrivals more effectively within its broader tourism strategy. Delivering a high-quality experience during a brief port call is essential if visitors are to return. Infrastructure improvements, reduced waiting times at cultural sites and smoother traffic management would enhance overall satisfaction. While the port manages the on-quay experience, the wider visitor journey depends on coordination across multiple stakeholders.
Demographic shifts are also reshaping the sector. When Xuereb entered the industry more than two decades ago, the average cruise passenger was over 65. Today, the global average age has fallen to around 45, reflecting broader market diversification. The cruise season has likewise expanded. What was once concentrated between May and September now stretches from March through November, with winter cruising increasingly common. According to industry data, nearly one-third of global cruise passengers in the past two years were first-time cruisers.
Malta’s central Mediterranean location supports its inclusion in Western, Eastern and Adriatic itineraries, reinforcing its strategic appeal. Cruise visitors are also venturing beyond Valletta during stopovers. Excursions frequently include trips to Mosta, Mdina and Rabat, as well as combined cultural tours linking the Upper Barrakka Gardens and St John’s Co-Cathedral with the Tarxien Temples and Mdina’s ramparts. Experiential activities such as Maltese cooking classes, wine and olive oil tastings, and visits to prehistoric temple complexes are increasingly popular. Smaller-group or private excursions – including visits to the Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk – are also in growing demand.
In parallel with operational expansion, several infrastructure projects are underway. The government, through Transport Malta and Infrastructure Malta, is widening the Pinto 4 and 5 quays. The cruise port is developing a four-storey car park within the Valletta Waterfront precinct. Additionally, the historic old power station complex in Floriana, located at the foot of Crucifix Hill, is set to be converted into a boutique hotel under an agreement with a local hospitality company.
Environmental measures are also advancing. Valletta became the first Mediterranean port to provide onshore power supply to cruise ships through its shore-to-ship project. In 2025, approximately 107 vessels connected to the system, significantly reducing emissions in the harbour area. Xuereb noted that each vessel requires technical adaptation and testing before connecting, but described the initiative as a major success that contributes meaningfully to carbon reduction.
