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PORT USERS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE SET UP
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28/09/2001
28/09/2001
| A newly set-up Port Users' Advisory Committee today held its first | meeting at the Malta Maritime Authority offices in Valletta. The committee, which has been set-up to advise the Government on how to improve the current operations within the Grand Harbour, was appointed by the Minister for Transport and Communication, the Hon Censu Galea in accordance with the Malta Maritime Authority Act, Chapter 352. The committee is composed of representatives of the various port users including, the Stevedores Cooperative, the Federation of Industry, Chamber of Commerce, Association of Ship Agents, Ship Chandlers Association, Seaport Duty Free Shops Association, Seamalta Co. Ltd, MOBC and the Malta Drydocks. |
| Addressing the members of the committee during their | first meeting, Minister Galea said that, "the strategic importance of our ports on the economic development of Malta is a natural one. It is enough to mention the voluminous merchandise that is transported through out ports as well as the considerable amount of people that earn their livelihood at our ports. We are currently implementing important strategic changes in our port operations, changes which need to be implemented in order to safeguard our ports in this new scenario, which will reap rewards for the future. These changes are also being implemented in view of the privatisation programmes of the Malta Freeport, Kordin Grain Terminal and Mediterranean Offshore Bunkering Company. Other projects which are expected to generate wealth and new opportunities, include the Cruise Liner Terminal at Pinto and the Yachting Centre in Birgu. |
| Mr. Edgar Gatt, the Vice-Chairman of the Malta | Maritime Authority, who is chairing this committee, said that "the committee will be keeping in mind the requirements of the port users. As a result, the changes that have to be made in our ports have to reflect our clients needs, on which the success or failure of the services rendered depend. The Malta Maritime Authority is conscious of this reality and has recently commissioned a study on a strategic plan for the Grand Harbour. While analysing the economic situation with an emphasis on the advantages, shortfalls, opportunities and the surrounding competition, the Hyder Report gave various recommendations. In a seminar last July, the Malta Maritime Authority presented this strategic report, as well as started a debate on its implementation. |
| A number of interventions by the industry and the | Unions were also made. A common recommendation from all parties was that whatever development that has to be made has to reflect the aspirations of the industry and that at no time should there be any conflict." |
| In conclusion the Minister said that "I feel | that the role of the Ministry and the Authority should be to identify the direction and the parameters of the law, in order to accommodate the exigencies of the industry and the function of the regulator. In fact, it was at this seminar that the representations of public entities, Ministries, the industry and unions continued to be enhanced in the consultative council. I am convinced that each member of this committee will contribute to enhance the successes of the past and give advice and recommendations to the Ministry and the Authority on how the service and operations in our ports can be improved." |
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