Notice to Mariners issued in Govt. Gazette 21,603 of 13th March 2026

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies that the Conservation Biology Research Group of the University of Malta is conducting research on marine biodiversity within the Central Mediterranean Region around the Maltese Islands (from coastal to offshore) in respect of:

1. Dolphins, whales and turtle sightings

2. Sharks and Rays sightings

3. Jellyfish blooms sightings

4. Alien species sightings or caught during fishing

Mariners are requested to cooperate and support the research by reporting sightings immediately as following:

Email: Prof. Adriana Vella to (adriana.vella@um.edu.mt).

SMS/mobile phone/WhatsApp: +356 9942 9592

The information required includes the following:

a) Date and time of observation

b) Number of dolphins/whales/turtles/sharks/blooms of jellyfish/alien species

c) Location of sighting (including GPS coordinates if possible)

d) Photos/videos whenever possible to allow for identification of the species

The participation of mariners in this long-term initiative is very much encouraged and necessary to ensure regular updates supporting the monitoring of Maltese waters to devise an early warning system for bathers and to assist in Mediterranean-wide marine conservation.

(Marsamxett Harbour)

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners and the general public that repair works on the road will be carried out at Il-Fossa, Valletta (Marsamxett Harbour).

The works will commence immediately and are expected to be completed by Sunday, 21st June, 2026.

A silt curtain will be laid along the line A, B, C and D, as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt).

Work will be conducted on the road from both the seaside and the boat chamber side. Scuba divers will display the International Code of Signals Flag 'A' during this time.

Any vessels or moorings left in the area, including the il-Fossa boat chamber, will be removed at the owner's expense. The authority will not accept any liability for damage caused during the removal of these vessels.  

Due to the above, passage in and out of the Il-Fossa boat chamber will be limited, and diving or swimming will be prohibited in the area for the duration of the work.

Mariners and owners of vessels are to proceed at very low speed (no wake) when navigating close to the area. They must keep at least 10m away from the silt curtain and cooperate with the on-site contractor.

All mariners are to comply with any instructions given on VHF Channel 12 and/or 16, by Valletta VTS and by any enforcement personnel on site.

Chart Affected: BA 177

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, hereby notifies that further to Notice to Mariners No. 24 of 2021, the Armed Forces of Malta will carry out live firing practice from Thursday, 19th March to Saturday, 21st March, 2026 with extended hours between 4.30 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. (local time).

A Sécurité message will be issued on VHF Channels 12, and/or 16 by Valletta VTS, accordingly.

The exercise area (LM-D6) is delineated by sector ABC.

From Position A                                             

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

A         35° 55'.540       014° 28'.320 (Centre point on

                                                          land), a radius of

                                                          4 nautical miles

                                                          to points

B         35° 59'.460       014° 27'.150 and

C         35° 58'.290       014° 32'.190

Limits are indicated on BA charts 194, 2537 and 2538.

During the live firing practice, red flags (approximate size 2.5m x 2m), will be flown from the shore limits.  After sunset, instead of the red flags, there will be red lights and there will be two safety vessels with blue lights on each side, to indicate the limits of the area. Mariners are warned to keep, as a minimum, 4 nautical miles off the coast when the flags or safety vessels are sighted.

Moreover, any instructions given on VHF Channels 12 and/or 16 by Valletta Port Control (Valletta VTS) and by the Armed Forces of Malta, are to be strictly observed.

Charts affected: BA 2538, 2537, 194

Positions referred to WGS 84 DATUM

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies all ships that LNG tanker M.T Arctic Metagaz, IMO: 9243148, Call sign UAFC8 is Not Under Command and drifting in the proximity of:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

35º 24'.000                 14º 27'.000

Mariners are instructed to keep five nautical miles (5NM) away from the vessel at all times.

Navigation near the abovementioned vessel is strictly prohibited.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies all ships that LNG tanker M.T Arctic Metagaz, IMO: 9243148, Call sign UAFC8 is Not Under Command and is drifting to the proximity of:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

35º 36'.000                 13º 45'.000

Mariners are reminded that the vessel is not showing any NUC signals by day or night. Extra lookout must be maintained when sailing close to the abovementioned position.

Mariners are instructed to keep five nautical miles (5NM) away from the vessel at all times.

Navigation near the abovementioned vessel is strictly prohibited.

Notice to Mariners No. 17 of 2026 is hereby cancelled.

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies mariners that several types of investigative surveys will be carried out for the proposed second interconnector between Malta and Sicily.

These investigative surveys will be carried out by the vessels 'Silvio 1', 'Celina 2' and 'Ocean Marlin' and their ancillary equipment.

Weather permitting the surveys are planned to commence on Sunday, 15th March, 2026, and are expected to be completed by Saturday, 30th May, 2026.

The investigative surveys will be carried along the route between the points A, B, C, D and E, as shown on the chart found on the Transport Malta website (www.transport.gov.mt), with the following coordinates:

Since the vessels may be towing different types of equipment and, also at times be stationery, they may be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre.

Appropriate signals in accordance with the Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at sea (COLREGS) and the International Code of Signals, will be exhibited accordingly.

There will also be a diving team assisting during the surveys (in the part closer to land) and they will be displaying the International Code of Signals Flag 'A'.

Mariners are instructed to navigate with caution and to maintain a safe distance of 0.50 nautical miles from the vessels when they are detected or sighted.

When crossing the channel between Sicily and Malta, all vessels are to comply with any instructions given on VHF channel 69 and/or 16 by Malta Coastal Station (Malta VTS) and on VHF channel 12 by Valletta VTS.

Charts Affected: BA 194, 2123, 2124, 2537, 2538

The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta, notifies all ships that LNG tanker M.T Arctic Metagaz, IMO: 9243148, Call sign UAFC8 is Not Under Command and is drifting to the proximity of:

Latitude (N)Longitude (E)

 35º 44'.000                13º 23'.000

Mariners are reminded that the vessel is not showing any NUC signals by day or night. Extra lookout must be maintained when sailing close to the abovementioned position.

Mariners are instructed to keep five nautical miles (5NM) away from the vessel at all times.

Navigation near the abovementioned vessel is strictly prohibited.

Notice to Mariners No. 18 of 2026 is hereby superseded.