The Cabinet yesterday decided to privatise those yacht marinas who were still being administered by the Malta Maritime Authority, while strengthening the role of the MMA as a regulator.

The yacht marinas at Msida, Gozo and Ta’ Xbiex will be privatised after a call for tenders to be coordinated by the Privatisation Unit of the Finance Ministry.

The Infrastructure, Trans-port and Communications Ministry explained that, through its decision, the government wanted to create a competitive yachting sector with the participation of private enterprise.

It also aimed to improve the services given at yacht marinas and modernise the facilities and that all yacht marinas are regulated by the MMA.

The Privatisation Unit will be receiving offers so that private companies administer yacht marinas for a period of 25 years, and expected them to propose their ideas for the marinas.

Such a privatisation is an important step in the implementation of the government’s vision in the yachting sector. Within a few months, all the yacht marinas will be privately-owned and regulated by the MMA.

The government will also be looking into the possibility of building more yacht marinas.