The 19th century was the pinnacle of Maltese shipbuilding, building vessels to import material such as grain and which ranged as far as Southern Ukraine and the Black Sea. This practice went on until the First World War.
The owners of these shipyards and the merchants enjoyed an important status, since their operations monopolised the price of bread, and hence control on one of the basic amenities of the community. Bread was the dominant food of most of the population, with its quality being a measure of well-being and a socio-economic status. This shows a shift in Maltese society, from legitimised piracy under the flag of the ruler to entrepreneurship and operating their own ships.