Valletta Cruise Port hosts 20th anniversary celebration

Stephen Xuereb, COO of Global Ports Holding which operates the Maltese port said, ‘I am so proud to have been part of this company since inception and to have led it over the past eight years.’

Xuereb, who is also Valletta Cruise Port’s CEO, added, ‘It has been an eventful journey with plenty of milestones along the way. The early days allowed us to return a formerly neglected historical site to its majestic state, such as Grand Master Pinto himself intended back in 1752.

‘There is a success story to tell also on the cruise operations side with year-on-year growth, with the large majority of cruise companies now being regular callers to our islands.’

Xuereb explained that the cruise port – a MedCruise member port – has increased the number of passengers from 260,000 to over 900,000 in 2019, making it ‘strategically placed as one of the top Mediterranean ports-of-call, and a flourishing homeport.’

He offered special thanks to directors and shareholders, among them, Global Ports Holding, AX Group and Excelsior Hotel Floriana, and management and staff past and present.

Acknowledgments and exhibition

Guests at the event on December 27 were taken to a photography exhibition by Davide Degano in what was formerly the engine room of the first Power House in Malta, opened exclusively for the evening. A prelude to an upcoming publication that will showcase Valletta Cruise Port’s milestones and achievements through photography and anecdotes, the photographs showcased the works of the Valletta Cruise Project.

Attendees additionally received a numbered and individually signed print of a commissioned painting of Valletta Waterfront by local artist Jacqueline Agius.

19 staff members who had provided 10-, 15- and 20 years of service to Global Ports received a gift in appreciation of their loyalty and commitment.