ships Archives – THINK Magazine

I Will Continue to Follow the Ship

Curated by Elyse Tonna with artist Dr Matthew Attard, ‘The Ship (Unseen)’ delivers the same brilliance and deep artistic intent which Attard, Tonna, and the rest of the team had been praised for during the 60th Venice Biennale. In 2025, the two sought to continue building on the themes of connection, identity, and memory established in ‘I Will Follow the Ship’, making use once again of that iconic, ever-moving, web-like linework.

Budding Biennale

Art is embedded into Malta’s history, whether it may be found in Ġlormu Cassar’s astute, Mannerist architecture, prehistoric etchings on numerous temple walls around the island, or in graffiti found on wayside chapels from the 1600s onwards. Matthew Attard concerns himself with the latter, with a specific focus on ship graffiti. Now chosen to represent the Malta Pavilion of the 2024 Venice Art Biennale commissioned by Arts Council Malta, his exhibition will include artworks showcasing impressive innovation, having reimagined the method of drawing by melding it with emerging eye-tracking technology.

2024 arts Biennale eye-tracking pavilion ships Venice

An eye on the sea

Continuous measurement and analysis of marine conditions in real time is allowing local users to better understand the short and long-term implications of the changing sea. Prof. Aldo Drago writes.

atmospheric pressure boats British Hydrographic Office Department of Geosciences faculty of science malta Maltese harbour marine systems Marsaxlokk MedGLOSS Mediterranean meteo-marine observations. Physical Oceanography Unit sea ships university of malta UoM

History beneath the blue

Many would say that Malta’s rich history is evident for all to see. From Mdina to Mnajdra, much of the island’s past is present and tangible in our everyday lives. But what heritage is still hidden? Dr Timmy Gambin writes about the efforts made to bring to light the history beneath the waves.

discovery divers diving europe Fishing heritage History malta Planning authority preservation satellites SCUBA seafloor seafloor exploration seafloor heritage ships treasure underwater university of malta UoM

Stuck in the middle with the fumes

Since the 1960s heavy fuel oil (HFO) has reigned supreme as the king of maritime fuels. It was efficient and cheap; its use spread far and wide. International shipping boomed on its success. Even today, this industry handles 90% of the world’s trade volume. For many, HFO is the lifeblood of the maritime shipping industry. But it has a dark side…

emissions Environment environmental engineer fumes Giordan Lighthouse Gozo Gozo Campus heavy fuel oil HFO IMO International Maritime Organisation LNG malta Maltese Islands marine pollution marine vehicles Mediterranean oil pollutants Prof. Raymond Ellul SECA standard ships STEAM university of malta UoM

1565 – Was it that great?

A historical discovery does not always equal the unearthing of new documents or artefacts. Sometimes it’s about re-evaluating what we already know. Prof. Victor Mallia-Milanes tells Tuovi Mäkipere more.

1565 armour at arms conquest culture Department of History Dragut faculty of arts fleet Fort St Angelo Fort St Elmo Fort St Michael Great Siege timeline History Hospitaller Jean de la Vallette Knights of Malta Knights of St.John malta Malte maltese Mdina Medina Mediterranean Order of the Hospital Ottoman empire Ottoman Sultan Suleyman past religion Senglea ships The Great Siege of Malta Turks UM university of malta valletta victory Voltaire war