Yachting Malta in 2025: A Decade of Consolidation and Maritime Leadership
Yachting Malta marked its tenth anniversary in 2025. Over the past decade, it has developed into a central contributor to Malta’s positioning as a regional anchor for Mediterranean yachting activity. What began as a national initiative focused largely on promoting local sporting events with international participation has evolved into a strategic partner for industry, government and international stakeholders. Today, Yachting Malta works closely with entities such as the Malta Ship Registry, Transport Malta, the Malta Tourism Authority, and the Superyacht Industry Network (Malta), consolidating efforts, widening networks and generating significant economic and reputational value for the country.
Founded as a public-private partnership between the Government of Malta and the Royal Malta Yacht Club, Yachting Malta continues to pursue its core mandate: to enhance Malta’s visibility as a premier yachting destination, attract high-profile events, and foster industry growth across racing, cruising, services and maritime tourism.
The Hon. Chris Agius – Chairman, Yachting Malta
“Over the past decade, Yachting Malta has worked tirelessly to amplify Malta’s maritime identity. We have consolidated our role in the Mediterranean yachting space while building partnerships that are now shaping sustainability, inclusion and professional standards across the sector.”
Strengthening Malta’s International Footprint
Malta’s geographic location remains a strong competitive differentiator. Over the past three years, Yachting Malta has intensified its international outreach as part of a more proactive market-engagement strategy — a shift that has ensured Malta remains visible and competitive across the Mediterranean and beyond.
In 2025, this momentum continued. Yachting Malta maintained a deliberate presence at leading international boat shows, positioning Malta’s brand, services and infrastructure in front of key decision-makers. The organisation appeared regularly at major European and Middle Eastern showcases, including Boot Düsseldorf, the Palma International Boat Show, the Cannes Yachting Festival and the Dubai International Boat Show — the latter marking Yachting Malta’s third consecutive participation. Across these forums, the team engaged directly with manufacturers, charter and superyacht operators, marina representatives, investors and industry leaders, reinforcing Malta’s role as a trusted Mediterranean base and an attractive destination for both leisure and commercial activity.
These engagements generated tangible business opportunities, strengthened partnerships and signalled Malta’s determination to remain competitive among established yachting destinations. Equally important, the approach is rooted not only in promotion, but in listening: at every event, Yachting Malta actively tracks market expectations, technological developments and emerging trends — ensuring Malta continues to adapt, anticipate and stay relevant.
The Malta Boat Show: Growth, Scale and Reputation
A key milestone of 2025 was the second edition of the Malta Boat Show, staged along the historic Dock 1 waterfront in Cottonera. In only its second year, the event achieved a level of momentum rarely seen in such a short timeframe. Exhibitor participation increased significantly, with a total of 79 brands represented, including 47 companies exhibiting in Malta for the first time. The footprint of the show expanded across Dockyard Creek and surrounding areas, enabling the display of 176 boats ranging from family leisure craft to performance yachts and superyacht tenders, creating a far broader and visually impactful visitor experience.
Attendance figures told a similar story of accelerated growth when compared to 2024, with visitors arriving not only from Malta but from 28 different countries — signalling that the show is beginning to register strongly beyond our shores. The atmosphere was enhanced through improved hospitality and entertainment areas, new VIP hosting spaces and improved visitor services, reflecting an event that is moving confidently toward international standards. Exhibitors reported strong enquiries and meaningful commercial discussions, with brokers, retailers and service providers using the show as a platform for networking, prospecting and deal-making.
The introduction of a dedicated Media Centre further professionalised the event and facilitated wider coverage. Importantly, several international marine and yachting publications — including IBI News (UK), Yacht Revue (Austria) and Barche Magazine (Italy) — attended, reporting on how quickly the Malta Boat Show has expanded and the potential it is demonstrating as a Mediterranean showcase. This coverage amplified Malta’s visibility and underlined that the show is gaining recognition beyond the local market.
“Beyond the commercial dimension, the Malta Boat Show is also evolving into a forum for dialogue. Policymakers, private operators, marina managers and investors used the show as an opportunity to discuss infrastructure development, regulatory frameworks and emerging opportunities within Malta’s maritime sector. The result is an event that does more than simply display products; it helps connect strategy, investment and industry growth. Taken together, the 2025 edition reinforced confidence that the Malta Boat Show is on a fast upward trajectory. It has already become a meaningful platform for business, visibility and collaboration — and, more significantly, it is positioning Malta as an increasingly influential player within the wider regional yachting landscape.”
Michael Mifsud – CEO, Yachting Malta
Embedding Sustainability
Environmental stewardship and sustainability have become important focus areas for Yachting Malta, reflecting the simple reality that clean seas are fundamental to the future of the yachting industry. Through its Sustainability Guidelines and ongoing initiatives, Yachting Malta continues to work with yacht marinas and sailing schools to share practical ideas, best practices and technical insights that can help operations become progressively more environmentally friendly.
In particular, where yacht marinas are concerned, this work is strengthened through the Power4Med initiative, which promotes energy transition, environmental protection and sustainable marina management across the region. In 2025, Yachting Malta was instrumental in the participation of Marina Personnel Training, bringing together representatives from local marinas to exchange experiences, discuss real-world challenges and explore solutions in areas such as waste management, water quality protection, electrification and energy efficiency. These sessions were complemented by international study visits, where Maltese participants observed how other Mediterranean marinas are adapting to evolving sustainability expectations.
Rather than imposing obligations, these initiatives aim to offer practical support, create dialogue and encourage gradual improvement. By working collaboratively with operators, Yachting Malta is helping ensure that Malta’s maritime sector continues to thrive in an environment where the quality of our coastal waters remains one of our greatest assets.
Inclusion
Yachting Malta’s inclusive ethos continues to be demonstrated through a number of initiatives which work tirelessly to promote sailing to people with different abilities. A core element is the Sailability project and the Hansa 303 fleet, designed to allow sailors of all abilities to participate safely and competitively.
This World Sailing-approved class boat has become increasingly utilised, with Vikings Sailing Club playing a particularly active role in expanding regular use and training opportunities. Beyond club-level activity, the fleet achieved a symbolic milestone during the Special Olympics Beach Games, where the full fleet participated — demonstrating capability, accessibility and pride.
In parallel, Yachting Malta has also extended its inclusion efforts beyond sailing alone. The organisation has been working with Inspire Malta as part of the Walking and Yachting Together (WAY) project, an Interreg Italy–Malta initiative led by the Azienda Speciale Silvo Pastorale of Troina in partnership with Inspire (Malta), Azienda Silvo Pastorale di Troina, Corrieri dell’Oasi (Troina) and the University of Catania. The project is developing an inclusive tourism model designed specifically for families with members who have mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Through joint pilot activities — including mountain walking experiences in Sicily and yachting activities in Malta — the WAY project is creating a practical holiday template and accessible tourism protocol that will enable families to plan and enjoy similar inclusive travel experiences in the future.
These initiatives go beyond sport; they are about social participation, dignity and empowerment, allowing sailing — and leisure more broadly — to truly become an activity “for all.”
Promoting Malta as a Yacht Racing Destination
Since its inception, when its principal mission was to promote major sailing events and attract international participation, Yachting Malta has consistently invested in developing Malta’s reputation as a competitive and welcoming racing destination. Over time, this commitment has evolved from simple event promotion into sustained support, coordination and strategic backing for a broad calendar of regattas that showcase Malta’s waters, organisation and maritime heritage.
The 606-nautical-mile Rolex Middle Sea Race continues to anchor Malta’s racing calendar. Recognised globally as one of the world’s most iconic offshore challenges, the race attracts elite crews and high-profile yachts from across the globe. Yachting Malta’s contribution complements the work of the organisers — the Royal Malta Yacht Club — through its support of the Yachting Malta Coastal Race, an important curtain-raiser that allows crews to familiarise themselves with local conditions while providing a highly competitive spectacle around the Maltese coastline. In parallel, Yachting Malta has helped enhance the race’s visibility by investing in improved live streaming of the start, bringing the unique spectacle of Grand Harbour to thousands of viewers worldwide and broadening digital reach.
The result is an event that generates widespread international coverage, attracts inbound travel, and delivers tangible economic benefits across hospitality, marine services and supporting industries, while reinforcing Malta’s standing as a professional race-hosting nation.
Beyond offshore racing, Yachting Malta’s support extends to a varied calendar of regattas that engage different segments of the sailing community. The Birżebbuġa Sailing Club International Regatta, the EurILCA Masters hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, and the Mapfre Euromed International Regatta organised by Malta Young Sailors Club all continue to attract strong international participation while providing important development pathways for local sailors. Together, these events keep Malta active across multiple disciplines — from youth and emerging athletes through to elite and masters competition — broadening participation and sustaining year-round interest in Maltese waters as a competitive racing venue.
Taken together, this portfolio of events demonstrates a deliberate, long-term commitment: positioning Malta as a reliable, well-organised and internationally respected centre for competitive sailing, with conditions that make it an attractive year-round training and racing destination — particularly during the winter months when many European venues are less accessible.
A Decade of Community and Industry Cohesion
While the tangible outcomes are evident in numbers and events, Yachting Malta’s success also lies in community consolidation. Over ten years, the organisation has become a neutral convenor — bringing together marinas, clubs, service providers, regulators and sponsors.
Its networking events — held in summer and during the Christmas season — have become highly anticipated gatherings where relationships are built and nurtured, ideas are exchanged and collaborations begin. These softer initiatives foster cohesion, strengthen communication and nurture an aligned national maritime identity.
Chairman Chris Agius sums this up succinctly:
“Collaboration has been our greatest asset. Malta’s yachting sector is strongest when industry, government and sporting bodies work together. Our role has been to facilitate that dialogue and ensure momentum continues.”
Looking Forward
As Yachting Malta enters its second decade, the foundations established in 2025 provide a clear sense of strategic continuity. The organisation is maintaining a focused international outreach programme grounded in measurable outcomes, while supporting sustainability initiatives such as Power4Med that encourage long-term infrastructure planning across the sector. At the same time, inclusive programmes continue to widen participation, and a strong calendar of national and international events is delivering economic, sporting and reputational value for Malta.
Reflecting on the direction ahead, CEO Michael Mifsud notes:
“Our decade of consolidation has positioned us well for the future. We will continue building relationships, investing in capability and ensuring Malta remains a credible, competitive and welcoming maritime destination.”
The Road Ahead
2025 represents a year in which Yachting Malta continued to consolidate its influence and demonstrated maturity. By combining promotion, sustainability, inclusion, and strong event support with thoughtful stakeholder engagement, the organisation continues to secure Malta’s place at the heart of Mediterranean yachting.
Commenting on the organisation’s maturing strategy, CEO Michael Mifsud remarks:
“This year’s achievements – from international engagements to sustainability initiatives – reflect an organisation that has grown in both confidence and capability. Our role today is not just to promote Malta, but to support the industry with knowledge, structure and long-term thinking. The past ten years have shaped a resilient platform. The next decade promises deeper collaboration, stronger sustainability commitments and continued leadership in positioning Malta as a focal maritime island — open to innovation, investment and opportunity.”
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