SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE HON. CENSU GALEA, MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS, AT SEMINAR "THE EU AND THE ENVIRONMENT: TRANSPORT, AIR QUALITY AND POLLUTION" ORGANISED BY NATURE TRUST (MALTA)

Mr Chairman, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to have been invited here today to address this Seminar with the theme "The European Union and the Environment - Transport, Air Quality and Pollution".

Despite many positive aspects of transport for individuals, as well as, for the economy and society in general, transport is one of the sectors which present the greatest challenges to sustainable development. The projected future increase of transport in particular road and air traffic, challenges environmental and transport policy-makers to further reduce transport’s environmental and health burden and bring transport in line with the principle of sustainability at national and international level. We must all strive to achieve an environmentally sustainable transport. During the last few decades conventional approaches to mitigating transport’s environmental impacts have been taken and these have led to important efficiency gains which have helped to reduce certain environmentally and health risks stemming from the transport sector. These measures have not however, been enough because they have been mitigated by the ever increasing use of various means of transport. For quite some time it has been apparent that a new policy approach is needed which placed environmental criteria up front along with other policy goals.

Recognising this need at a time when the negative repercussions of transport, mainly due to toxic emissions and more pollution are being felt even in a small country like ours, my Government is committed to a long term policy which embrace the principle, strategies and plans of action that are being adopted internationally. With this in mind we actually participated at international fora such as the WHO Conference in London of June 1999 which saw the signing of a new Charter for Transport, Environment and Health as well as the OECD Conference on Environmentally sustainable Transport in Vienna in the year 2000. This participation signifies Malta’s part in a collective awareness and a serious commitment through partnership towards striving to achieve the goals and objectives that are being set out internationally. This has led to the strengthening of our understanding of other countries’ committment towards sustainable mobility, the impact of transport on the environment and the need for integration and harmonisation of European Standards into our transport system. Recognition of such objectives at this point in Maltese history is crucial, as once again we are actively persuing our application for full membership of the EU.

As an EU candidate country we are aware that the Common Transport Policy is one of the fundamental elements of the European Union and the single market. This policy of incorporating health and environment concerns into transport policies is in line with my Government’s plan to update our transport legislation regarding environment and health.

The last two decades have seen an almost overnight reversal in local transport trends. Malta used to have one of the lowest car ownership levels in Europe coupled with a high popularity of other modes of travel such as public transport, cycling and walking. Now we have the unenviable situation of having one of the highest per capita motorisation levels in the world. Researches during the 1990’s started to question the sustainability of our traditional demand-oriented transport policy framework. This has led to the adoption of four main indicators that are now used in our local assessment of transport sustainability and policy effectiveness. These indicators are fuel consumption, ambient air quality, road traffic accident levels and the occurrence of respiratory illnesses.

I will not go into too much detail with regards to measures we have taken or are in the process of implementing in the near future with regards to the national measures we have already taken or measures that we are in the process of implementing in the road transport sector as a result of the adoption of the Transport Acquis as these will be dealt with by Mr David Sutton, but it is enough to say that our strategy centres on seven key actions.

1. The promotion of transport integration and land use planning through the legal requirement for environmental impact assessments.
2. The introduction of vehicle road worthiness testing, the second stage of which is due to come into force in January 2002.The introduction of stricter controls in the carriage of dangerous goods by road.
3. The gradual replacement of old buses which is now imminent after the change in specifications and the increase of Government subsidy, as well as measures to improve the bus service.
4. Encouraging innovation in the transport industry as in the case of the new park and ride project that is being proposed for Valletta and Floriana, as well as the ‘connections project" for the two harbours.
5. Stepping up and improving co-ordination on the ongoing publicity campaigns that are designed to increase public awareness on the benefits of using alternative modes of travel such as walking, cycling and car pooling.
6. Reform in the system for testing and licensing of drivers which will also include the introduction of the points system and probation period for new drivers.

With regards to the Maritime sector, the Ports Directorate of the Malta Maritime Authority is committed towards enhancing maritime safety in local waters and protecting the marine environment. In fact during the last years it has taken various initiatives in this regard.

This regulatory function is carried out mainly through the Marine Department of the Directorate. One of the initial priorities was the need to upgrade the administrative capacity of this Department, particularly by establishing an Inspectorate Unit whose function is to monitor local commercial shipping operations. The unit carries out regular inspections in respect of pollution control and the carriage and handling of dangerous goods on ships and terminals. This regime has resulted in a greater awareness among the industry players that all port operations have to be carried out in an environmentally friendly manner.

Another activity, which is closely monitored, is bunkering. Last year around 800,000 tonnes of bunkers were delivered by the 6 Bunker Operators licensed by the Authority. The Dangerous Cargo Ships, Marine Terminals and Facilities and Bunkering Regulations issued in 1996 ensure that bunker activities in Malta are carried out in designated areas and in line with international standards and conventions. The regulations also specify the equipment and other requirements necessary to acquire and retain an operator’s licence. These include insurance cover, classification, certification, on call service and training. In addition operators must have an updated contingency plan and are required to carry out pollution response drills at least twice a year.

The Authority has also developed a Maritime Environmental Risk Management System (MERMS) which also incorporates a GIS (Geographical Information System) and a database providing accurate and timely information and location of all emergency fire-fighting, marine pollution control and safety equipment and personnel resources available on the Islands. In addition a port contingency plan for dealing with spills originating from activities within Maltese ports, internal waters and bunker areas has been produced and tested on various occasions. The MERMS initiative also includes the publication of the MERMS Bulletin intended as the medium for an Environmental Forum to discuss and promulgate information on maritime environmental issues particularly those related to shipping and ports. Water sampling for hydrocarbons is also carried out on a regular basis from various sites with the commercial ports.

Pollution from shipping which is considered as a global problem with transboundary implications is also being addressed. Deliberate discharges from ships are causing a number of negative environmental effects. In addition the marine environment is constantly under threat from land based pollution. Under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 as amended by a protocol in 1978 (MARPOL 73/78) the Mediterranean is designated as a Special Area. Malta as party to this convention must ensure the provision of adequate reception facilities for oil, chemical residues, garbage and sewage and service ships without undue delay. In addition the new EU Directive on port reception facilities for ship-generated waste also extends the application to all craft including fishing vessels and recreational boats.

The Authority has already submitted its recommendations to the Ministry for the Environment and will work closely with the various departments to ensure that the proposed Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy will take into consideration and cater for this requirement. In this regard technical assistance is also being sought from the European Union to establish a dangerous goods database and a vessel reporting system for vessels carrying dangerous or polluting goods, identify the specific needs for port reception facilities for ship generated waste.

The Authority also recognises the fact that present legislation for regulating boats, operating exclusively within local territorial waters and ports, is outdated and is not in line with EU standards. Therefore, it is drafting new regulations that shall ensure a harmonised regime for all operators and will set minimum safety and pollution prevention standards. The new regulations will be complemented by a code of practice for the construction, machinery, equipment, stability, and maintenance of vessels in commercial use including vessel operated for the carriage of cargo, equipment and passengers and other vessels employed in port services and the servicing of ships.

The new regulations will also create a new certification and manning system for personnel serving on board the commercial vessels. Qualifications and manning requirements will depend on the type of vessel and area of operation as mentioned above. The introduction of these regulations fall hand in hand with the setting up of the Maritime Institute where it is foreseen that training courses will be developed to upgrade present qualifications, increase safety awareness and provide opportunities for those wishing to pursue a career in the local maritime sector.

The objectives envisaged above are challenging, demanding and require considerable investment both in infrastructure, equipment, human resources and training. Improving maritime safety and environment protection is a continuous effort. The Authority through its Port Directorate is committed to meet these challenges for the benefit of the local community and the protection of the marine environment.

With regards to Air Transport, as part of its review of current European Union Legislation concerning the aeronautical sector, the Department of Civil Aviation has published a Legal Notice concerning Noice Certification and Operation of Aircrafts. The order prohibits the use of aircraft which do not comply with the latest regulations on noise pollution reduction imposed by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation). As noise generated by over flying aircraft is a significant contributor to our country’s noise pollution problems. This action by the Department of Civil Aviation is most welcome.

At this stage it is too early to draw any meaningful conclusion with respect to the effectiveness of our combined efforts. However, we are optimistic that through close monitoring of our actions we shall be able to identify relative strengths and weaknesses in our strategy.

I should like to conclude by congratulating the organisers of this seminar, the Nature Trust (Malta) for their efforts in organising this seminar as well as their on going contributions to the improvement of the environment in our islands. On my behalf and on behalf of my Government I shall like to pledge our commitment to the adoption of a more environmentally sensitive approach to the development of our transport system in the years to come.