The Malta Boat Show, hosted by Yachting Malta, once again transformed Dockyard Creek, Cottonera into a vibrant celebration of maritime innovation and lifestyle. Marking its second edition under Yachting Malta’s stewardship, this year’s event expanded significantly, spreading its footprint not only across Cospicua but also Vittoriosa and Senglea, effectively uniting the historic Three Cities and breathing new energy into their waterfront communities.
Reflecting sustained industry growth, this year’s show almost doubled in size, welcoming 47 new exhibitors and 32 returning ones from 2024. Notably, three foreign exhibitors – two from Italy and one from France – also took part, further highlighting the event’s expanding international reach. A new concept, The Dome, was introduced and also hosted evening entertainment provided by some of Malta’s best DJs, including The-Element, CF1, Glenn Frantz, and Miriana Belfiore. Another addition this year was a bridge that made crossing from one side of the Boat Show to the other easily accessible.
The enlarged footprint allowed for a broader spectrum of boats, superyachts, marine toys, services, legal and corporate offerings, and lifestyle products, firmly positioning Malta as a Mediterranean reference point for maritime excellence. Public attendance also doubled compared to last year, demonstrating growing local and international appetite for a world-class marine exhibition in Malta.
This growth was made possible thanks to the strong backing of the government, led by the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works under Chris Bonett. Support from key government entities – including Transport Malta and Infrastructure Malta – ensured seamless operations, heightened safety and efficient infrastructural coordination.
A number of strategic partners and organisations contributed to the show’s success, including the American University of Malta, and Palumbo Shipyards who generously provided access to its premises; the Malta Food Agency, which enriched the culinary experience; and Grand Harbour Marina, which hosted a major segment of the superyacht display.
A key addition to this year’s edition was the launch of the Enemed VIP Experience, a premium hospitality concept that offered exclusive vantage points, reserved lounge access and dedicated hosting.
Foreign press – including IBI News (UK), Yacht Revue (Austria) and Barche Magazine (Italy) – some of the industry’s top publications – were present for the show, covering it extensively and meeting with stakeholders, reinforcing Malta’s profile on the global yachting stage.
The Malta Boat Show is steeped in Malta’s maritime identity.Speaking after the event, Yachting Malta chairman Chris Agius, said: “This year’s expansion bring into the fore all Three Cities, combined with record attendance and widening international interest, demonstrates the growing significance of the Malta Boat Show. The collaboration between government, industry and the maritime community has been invaluable, and we are proud to continue showcasing Malta’s maritime offering to international standards.”
Although revitalised with new ideas and formats, the Malta Boat Show is not starting from scratch. It builds on the legacy of previous shows while raising the bar through careful curation, broader participation, stronger media presence and greater government involvement. The historic setting of the Malta Boat Show – steeped in Malta’s maritime identity – provides a uniquely fitting backdrop for an event that continues to evolve with ambition and momentum.
With this year’s success, the Malta Boat Show has underlined not only its relevance, but also its timeliness. It stands as an important commercial and cultural platform for Malta’s maritime ecosystem, showcasing innovation, talent and opportunity at the heart of the Mediterranean.
“As we reflect on this year’s achievements and take stock of this year’s outcome, planning for the 2026 Malta Boat Show is already on the horizon. Yachting Malta will continue to build on this momentum and further enhance the calibre of the showcase,” Michael Mifsud, Yachting Malta CEO, said.
The event was supported by the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, Transport Malta, Infrastructure Malta, the American University of Malta, Grand Harbour Marina, Enemed, Enemalta, Palumbo Shipyards and the Malta Food Agency. Additional support was provided by the Cospicua, Senglea and Vittoriosa local councils, as well as the Cottonera Foundation.
For more information, visit www.yachtingmalta.org or follow Yachting Malta on social media.