GFS Malta

Global Freight Solutions, usually shortened to GFS, is a Maltese freight forwarding company. A forwarder organises the movement of goods on behalf of a shipper: it books space with airlines, shipping lines and hauliers, prepares the documents and clears customs. GFS covers movements by air, sea and road to and from Malta, as well as international and intra-European shipments.

The team works from the GFS Building in the Marsa industrial estate, just inland of the Grand Harbour. It appears in our courier and freight directory for Malta, and suits both businesses importing or exporting goods and individuals moving house.

Air, sea and road freight

Air freight is offered to and from any country, supported by partnerships with carriers. For sea freight GFS arranges full container loads (FCL), which give a shipper an exclusive container, and less than container loads (LCL), where smaller consignments share space in a consolidated box. It also acts as an NVOCC, a non vessel operating common carrier, signing volume contracts with shipping lines so that clients can benefit from agreed sea freight rates.

Road freight covers full truckload and less than truckload movements, and multimodal transport lets a shipment change between air, road and sea under one plan to reduce delay, loss and damage at transhipment points. RoRo, or roll on roll off shipping, is available for drivable cargo such as machinery, trucks, cars and trailers, and for boats on trailers. If you are importing a vehicle, a dealer such as A&A Car Imports may be a useful contact too.

Customs, insurance and consulting

Customs clearance is handled in house. GFS is connected to the local customs data system and prepares customs and transport documents for local and international shipments, including those carried by third parties. UK businesses shipping goods to Malta can therefore ask for the clearance paperwork to be arranged alongside the transport itself.

Carriers' standard liability under documents such as the CMR, air waybill or bill of lading is limited, so GFS recommends supplemental cargo insurance and offers single risk and open cargo policies. Readers comparing cover can also look at ACCORD Insurance Brokers. A separate consulting service helps organisations launching new ventures to plan their logistics.

Household goods, project cargo and vessels

Moving personal effects and household goods internationally is a core service, with the team coordinating collection, shipping and delivery to or from anywhere in the world. Anyone relocating from the UK can pair this with our Malta relocation guide.

Out of gauge cargo, which is too big or heavy for standard containers, and wider project cargo are handled from planning to delivery. On the maritime side, GFS offers vessel chartering for break bulk, RoRo or tanker cargoes, plus ship agency, berthing and stevedoring, bunkering and brokerage, crew changes and repatriation, husbandry, and import of vessel spares. Yacht owners can also see 73 Marine, a yacht broker.

Quality and standing

GFS holds ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management, is a member of FIATA, the international federation of freight forwarders' associations, and received a Malta 2017 Emerging Entrepreneur recognition. It is a young company built by people with long experience of logistics, and it aims to build long term relationships by recommending the best feasible solution for each client.

For Maltese business context, CLA Malta and a local corporate services provider are useful when a trading company needs setting up before it imports or exports.

Getting in touch

The office is in Marsa, close to the capital (see our Valletta guide) and to the Three Cities, which makes meetings easy for visitors staying nearby. Our about Malta page gives a broader introduction to the islands.

No rates are published. Describe what you are moving, where from and to, the approximate size or weight and the date you need it there. Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Global Freight Solutions for a direct reply.