In this era, Salvo Grima Group expanded beyond its maritime roots—entering the export and duty-free sectors—while growing its footprint across Malta, Libya, and the Mediterranean region.
1983
As the maritime links between Malta and North Africa become more active, the Salvo Grima Board identifies new opportunities to expand beyond ship supply and reach larger markets. Salvo Grima Group sets up Medina Offshore Services to supply products and services to the growing oil and gas industry in Libya.
1984
During the 1980s, the cruise liner industry in Malta had started to develop, with an increasing number of vessels and cruise liner passengers. Spotting a clear business opportunity in this new sector, Salvo Grima Group establishes Malta’s first duty-free outlet at Valletta Grand Harbour also serving several travellers in transit from North Africa to Europe. Around this time, the Group also began its long-term business relationship with German travel retailer Gebr. Heinemann who would become a principal travel retail supplier across several projects.
1988
The Group sets up an integrated warehousing and distribution centre within the transshipment and logistics centre at the newly-launched Malta Freeport at Marsaxlokk. A sizeable -and strategically located- facility, Salvo Grima Freeport Operations becomes much busier during the period of the Libyan crisis, enabling the Group to provide clients with a much-needed conduit to an otherwise closed market.
Robert C. Aquilina, who had already served as a board director for over a decade, is formally appointed as the Group’s Managing Director.
1992
Aiming to replicate its success with duty free business for maritime passengers, Salvo Grima Group opens its first airport outlet, at the departures lounge of Malta International Airport. The outlet specialises in skincare and cosmetics.
1993
On the back of the Group’s knowledge of the Libyan market, its contacts with the oil and gas sector, and its warehousing facility at the Freeport, the oil services company Umm Al-Jawaby awards Salvo Grima Group a contract to handle all cargo shipments, via Malta, for Libya’s National Oil Company.
2001
Following two decades of viable duty free businesses in Malta, the Group is keen to diversify, and enters the Libyan market, via a shareholding in Sabratha Limited, which operates a sizeable duty-free outlet at Tripoli International Airport, a four-way partnership between Maltese, German and Libyan partners, including Air Malta and Gebr. Heinemann.
2003
Having long outgrown its original premises, Salvo Grima Group expands into new Head Offices at 187, Pinto House, Wine Pressers Wharf, Marsa in the Grand Harbour Area of Malta.
Following further reorganisation, aimed at strengthening the Group’s internal structures and preparing for future expansion, Robert C. Aquilina is appointed Chief Executive Officer and Group Chairman.
2009
Though family-owned and controlled, the Group adheres to principles of good governance and sound business practices. Ian Camilleri, who had served for many years in a senior finance capacity, joins the board as the first non-family director of Salvo Grima Group Limited.
2011
In the context of turbulent regional events, the Group delivers much-needed humanitarian supplies to Libya on behalf of the Qatari Government, several United Nations agencies, the World Health Organisation, and other Non-Governmental-Organisations.
2014
In further expansion of its duty free business in the Mediterranean Region, the Group opens four duty-free shops in Spain, at the Palma De Mallorca Cruise Terminal; these serve over 1.4 million travellers every year. The concession runs successfully until the COVID pandemic of 2020.
