As Malta marks the Feast of Santa Marija, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has paid tribute to one of the most important moments in the island’s history: the arrival of the SS Ohio during the Santa Marija Convoy of 1942. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)“When Malta stood on the brink of starvation, the SS Ohio brought life back to our shores,” Metsola wrote on social media, remembering what she described as the “ultimate sacrifice” that helped save the islands during World War II.The Santa Marija Convoy, officially known as Operation Pedestal, reached Malta on 15th August 1942 after a perilous journey through the Mediterranean. At the time, Malta was under siege and facing severe shortages of food, fuel and essential supplies.At the heart of the convoy was the American-built tanker SS Ohio, which carried desperately needed fuel. Despite being repeatedly attacked and heavily damaged, the vessel famously limped into Grand Harbour on the feast of Santa Marija, supported by Allied ships. Its arrival is widely regarded as a turning point that helped Malta avoid surrender and continue resisting Axis forces.The convoy came at a heavy cost. Only a handful of the original merchant ships reached Malta, with hundreds of sailors losing their lives during the operation.More than eight decades later, the story of the SS Ohio remains one of the most powerful symbols of resilience in Maltese history, with many still referring to it as the ship that saved Malta.•