PRESS RELEASE - Minister Arias-Vasquez launches Gibraltar Maritime Services digital platform at London International Shipping Week

Minister Arias-Vasquez launches Gibraltar Maritime Services digital platform at London International Shipping Week.

Last week, the Minister for the Port and Maritime Affairs, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez MP, officially launched Gibraltar Maritime Services, a new digital platform uniting Gibraltar’s Ship and Yacht Registries under one brand. The launch formed part of Gibraltar’s participation in London International Shipping Week 2025, where the Minister was joined by the Captain of the Port John Ghio, representatives of the Gibraltar Port Authority and the Gibraltar Maritime Administration. The initiative is led by Aaron Lopez, who heads Gibraltar Maritime Services.

An analysis commissioned earlier this year highlighted that while competing ship registries such as Singapore, Panama and Cyprus maintain strong and active presences on platforms like LinkedIn, Gibraltar’s registries were largely absent. The report concluded that the lack of a professional online presence was contributing to a loss of visibility and potential revenue for Gibraltar’s maritime industry.

The new Gibraltar Maritime Services platform directly addresses those findings and includes:

1. A dedicated website at www.maritimeservices.gi providing clear guidance on ship and yacht registration, fees, survey requirements and compliance frameworks.

2. Official LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram pages to connect with shipowners, managers and agents worldwide, with LinkedIn as the lead platform for professional engagement.

3. Regular content showcasing Gibraltar’s advantages, industry insights and case studies from across the maritime sector.

As part of the wider programme, Minister Arias-Vasquez addressed an audience of over 500 attendees at the post-conference reception hosted by the Government of Gibraltar. In her address, the Minister emphasised Gibraltar’s unique strategic location and reaffirmed Gibraltar’s clear message to the international maritime community: we are open for business. During the event, the Minister also held discussions with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation, Arsenio Antonio Domínguez Velasco, who delivered his own keynote remarks. Gibraltar was strongly represented throughout London International Shipping Week by a significant delegation of maritime stakeholders from across the sector.

Minister Arias-Vasquez returned to Gibraltar on Friday following a week of high-level engagement aimed at strengthening Gibraltar’s position as a centre of maritime excellence.

Minister Arias-Vasquez said: “I was delighted to launch Gibraltar Maritime Services at London International Shipping Week together with the Gibraltar Port Authority and the Gibraltar Maritime Administration. I was determined to bring all of our services together under one clear platform. Gibraltar has long been recognised as a trusted and competitive jurisdiction for ship and yacht registration, and now we have the visibility to match this. This initiative ensures that we are speaking directly to the global maritime community and showcasing our advantages with confidence.”

The project introduces a new brand identity for Gibraltar Maritime Services and reflects the Government’s commitment to modernising the sector and enhancing Gibraltar’s global presence.

ENDS