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Freight Forwarding Malta – Transport Germany ↔ Malta by sea, road and air

Transport to Malta runs by road to southern Italy plus RoRo ferry to Valletta (5–7 working days; air freight faster). Malta is an EU member – customs clearance does not apply; ferry capacity is the decisive factor.

Aerial view of a truck fleet on a depot yard

Malta is an EU member, but an island – transport there is always multimodal. Speed Logistics organises the complete chain door to door: road pre-carriage from your location in Germany, the main leg by ferry or sea freight from Italy (corridor via Genoa or southern Italian ports) and delivery in Malta, for example in Valletta, Birkirkara or Mosta. The typical transit time is five to seven working days; for urgent goods we combine with air freight.

The advantage of EU membership: no customs clearance, no T1, no import formalities – the complexity lies solely in the booking and timing of ferry, trailer and delivery. That is exactly what we handle, with one point of contact for the entire chain and a fixed-price quote within a few hours. You need not coordinate ferry agents or an island forwarder yourself – that is our job.

Transport routes to Malta compared

Depending on shipment size, budget and deadline we choose the right route:

  • Road + RoRo ferry: trailer or full load via Italy with a ferry crossing to Malta – the standard for pallets, machinery and project cargo, transit time around 5–7 working days.
  • Sea freight in the container: economical for large, non-urgent quantities from German or Italian ports to the Malta Freeport.
  • Air freight: for urgent shipments such as spare parts or pharma – transit time considerably shorter depending on the flight connection.

Scope of services for Malta transport

Malta's economy is shaped by pharma, iGaming/IT and the maritime industry. Accordingly, we run temperature-controlled, GDP-compliant pharma shipments, sensitive server and office technology for company relocations, and spare parts for shipping and yachting. From the single insured package to the full load in the articulated truck, we cover all sizes – including packaging advice for the ferry passage, where the cargo must be secured seaworthily.

Process: door to door to Malta

You give us the pickup address, the delivery address in Malta, dimensions, weight and date. We plan the chain backwards from the preferred date: ferry departure, pre-carriage through Germany and Italy, buffer times. After pickup you follow the shipment by tracking; on the island our partner network delivers – on schedule and with proof of delivery. For air freight we handle departure and arrival handling at the same time. We also organise return transport from Malta to Germany in the same chain.

Delivery in Malta and Gozo

After the ferry arrives, our partner network on the island takes over the final distribution – from Valletta, via Birkirkara and Mosta, to the commercial areas in the south. We also serve the neighbouring island of Gozo, with an additional ferry passage from Ċirkewwa. Deliveries to the Malta Freeport for onward sea traffic are made with the necessary terminal references. Recipients are notified in advance; for deliveries in narrow town centres we plan smaller delivery vehicles so that the last mile does not become a hurdle.

Why Speed Logistics for Malta?

Island traffic rarely fails at the distance, but at the timing: a missed ferry quickly costs several days. Our dispatch team books capacity ahead of time, plans realistic buffers and informs you actively about every milestone – from the gate cut-off in Italy to the delivery in Valletta. One point of contact, one fixed price, one continuous responsibility for the entire chain.

Frequently asked questions: Freight Forwarding Malta

How long does a transport from Germany to Malta take?

On the standard route road plus ferry via Italy, allow five to seven working days door to door. By air freight it is considerably faster depending on the flight connection, usually within a few days. The exact transit time depends on ferry departures and the pickup region.

Is customs clearance required for Malta transport?

No. Malta is an EU member, shipments run in free circulation without import duty or a T1 procedure. The usual trade papers and the CMR consignment note suffice. The logistical challenge lies not with customs, but in the timing of pre-carriage, ferry and island delivery. This clearly distinguishes Malta from neighbouring non-EU destinations such as North Africa.

Which goods does Speed Logistics transport to Malta?

From the single pallet to the full load: pharma shipments temperature-controlled and GDP-compliant, IT and server equipment for the iGaming sector, machinery, spare parts for shipping and yachting, as well as removal and project cargo for company relocations – each packed seaworthily and insured. For special dimensions and project cargo we check feasibility and ferry capacity in advance.

Is air freight to Malta possible when it is urgent?

Yes. For urgent spare parts or time-critical pharma shipments we organise air freight to Malta including pre-carriage to the departure airport and delivery from arrival. This shortens the transit time considerably compared with the ferry route; on enquiry we tell you the next realistic connection. Combined solutions – the main quantity by ferry, urgent parts by air freight – are also possible.

How must my goods be packed for the ferry transport to Malta?

Seaworthy: the cargo must withstand shunting impacts and ship movements – stable pallets, edge protection, slip-proof securing in the trailer. We advise you on packaging in advance and, on request, handle the transport-suitable securing, including cargo insurance for the entire chain. This way your goods survive even rough crossings in the winter half-year undamaged.

What does a transport to Malta cost?

That depends on quantity, transport route and date: a ferry groupage is cheaper than an exclusive trailer, and air freight is higher in price. Send us dimensions, weight and preferred date – you receive a non-binding fixed-price quote for the door-to-door chain within a few hours.

What should I pay particular attention to for transport to Malta?

Malta is an island – the bottleneck is the RoRo ferry capacity from Salerno or Catania, which should be booked early. On the overland leg to southern Italy, the Brenner toll must also be factored in. A customs stop does not apply, as Malta lies within the EU single market.

Why does the ferry connection determine the transit time to Malta more than the driving distance?

The overland leg to southern Italy is routine, but the final RoRo ferry to Valletta runs on fixed departures with limited capacity. A missed slot extends the transit time by days. That is why Speed Logistics plans the ferry booking in advance and coordinates it with your delivery date.

Request freight forwarding malta

Contact our dispatch team – fixed-price quote within hours, available 24/7.