Michael Gaylard Photography

Cospicua Docks (Dockyard Creek) are part of Malta’s historic Grand Harbour, once a major naval base and today transformed into a vibrant waterfront with marinas, heritage buildings, and modern leisure spaces.

Historical Background

Origins: The dockyard at Bormla (Cospicua) was first developed by the Knights of St John in 1776, strengthening Malta’s maritime infrastructure.
British Era: Under British rule, the Royal Navy expanded the docks, making them a crucial base during the Crimean War, WWI, and WWII.
Industrial Role: The docks were central to shipbuilding and repair, employing thousands of Maltese workers and shaping the city’s identity.

Modern Transformation

Cottonera Waterfront: Today, the docks have been redeveloped into a marina and leisure hub, with superyachts moored alongside historic stone warehouses.
Dock No. 1: A flagship redevelopment project, now home to boutique hotels, restaurants, and cultural spaces, blending heritage with modern design.

Malta Dockyard was one of the most important naval bases in the Mediterranean, serving the Knights of St John, the British Royal Navy, and later Malta’s own shipbuilding industry. Today, it continues as Palumbo Shipyards, blending heritage with modern maritime repair.

Historical Timeline

Knights of St John (pre-1800): Established dockyard facilities in the Grand Harbour to maintain their fleet of galleys.
British Era (1800–1960s):
Became the Royal Navy’s principal Mediterranean base after the loss of Menorca.
First dry dock outside Britain built in 1847, later expanded into multiple docks in Dockyard Creek and French Creek.
Played a vital role in WWI and WWII, repairing ships under heavy Axis bombardment. In January 1941, 60 German dive bombers attacked the dockyard to destroy HMS Illustrious, but the carrier survived.
Post-war decline: Britain’s shrinking naval budget led to redundancies in the 1950s. In 1959, the dockyard was handed to Baileys of Wales, later nationalized by Malta.
Modern Era: Taken over by Palumbo Group in 2010, now servicing cruise ships, superyachts, and naval vessels.

By the mid-19th century, the dockyard was Malta’s largest single employer, shaping trade union consciousness and local politics. Dockyard workers became a formidable social force, with their livelihoods tied to global naval conflicts and industrial shifts. The dockyard’s transformation reflects Malta’s shift from imperial naval hub to commercial maritime repair and leisure economy.