Association of General Retailers and Traders director general Vince Farrugia said the inefficiencies were leading to added expense for the cargo hauliers, who would have to wait for hours before being able to transport containers for their clients.

Mr Farrugia said the GRTU has long been insisting that the management system of the Freeport gate had to be changed or at least improved. He said that although the management had made various promises in this regard, the right investment to be able to keep up with the demand at the Freeport had not been forthcoming.

As a result, he said, cargo hauliers had to wait for hours on end before being able to transport containers for their clients. Mr Farrugia said the government and company’s management was informed about the situation on 15 April and again last week but nothing had been done about the matter.