Sullivan Shipping

Sullivan Shipping Agencies Ltd is one of Malta's long-standing maritime businesses. From Exchange Buildings on Republic Street in Valletta, a short walk from the Grand Harbour, the Sullivan family has served shipowners, cargo owners and passengers since 1888, and today it combines a ship agency with a freight forwarding and logistics arm.

It appears on VisitMalta.co.uk in the courier and freight services directory, because many readers need a dependable partner to move goods to or from the islands.

A family business since 1888

Over 130 years, the firm has grown from a family agency into a company handling both vessels and cargo. Its approach joins maritime tradition to modern business needs, with a commitment to environmental, social and governance standards that it shares with principals, clients and partners.

Leadership remains in the family. Matthew Ellul Sullivan is CEO for shipping and liner, Christian Ellul Sullivan is CEO for freight and logistics, and Ian Sullivan is Chief Operating Officer. Cedric Chircop is Head of Finance and Keith Ellul Sullivan is Cargo Logistics and Operations Manager, supported by a wider team across sales, documentation, road and sea freight, warehousing, accounts and human resources. The Grand Harbour setting is part of the story, and our Valletta guide and guide to the Knights of Malta explain how the harbour shaped the island.

Ship agency and support services

Every year the agency attends to more than 500 vessel operations, including around 185 bunkering operations and over 250 discharge and loading operations, some of them ship-to-ship transfers. Husbandry, cargo operations and liner agency are its core agency services, with cargo teams planning transhipment and customs clearance.

Support services cover bunkering, where the team liaises with suppliers and keeps principals informed, and ship-to-ship cargo transfers, with hoses, fenders, support craft, standby boats and licensed mooring masters sourced as needed under recognised safety guidelines. The agency also assists owners with repair quotations from local shipyards, handles cruise liner and passenger operations including excursions, and offers a full range of superyacht agency and husbandry services around the clock. Ship registration and management are provided through a sister company, J.B. Sorotto Ltd, and our featured partner CLA Malta is another route for corporate and maritime matters. For a look at the working harbour itself, visit the viewing terrace described in our Upper Barrakka Gardens guide.

Freight and logistics

On the freight side, the company delivered 13,371 consignments in a year, with a combined weight of over 145 thousand tons, for 628 customers in 55 countries on six continents. Its Forwarding 360 service offers a full range of global freight, and solution-driven services are built around each client's buying patterns. Online tools, eCommerce support, liner and brokerage, third-party logistics and other management services complete the range.

Customs and documentation, warehousing, road operations and sea freight each have their own team, and the contact form lets you choose freight and logistics sales, shipping and liner agency, customs and documentation, accounts, careers or procurement. The company's own site also provides a freight quote request and a shipping glossary for newcomers to the trade. If you are thinking of moving to Malta and shipping your belongings, our relocation guide for UK readers gives useful context before you ask for a quote.

Visiting and getting in touch

The office is on Republic Street in the heart of Valletta, close to the Three Cities across the water, and the surrounding streets are covered by our listing of hotels in Valletta. Across the harbour, our Vittoriosa guide covers the old fortified town of Birgu.

Fees are not published, so describe your cargo or vessel, the route and your timing. Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Sullivan Shipping, who will reply to you directly.