The Malta Maritime Authority announced a twinning agreement with the Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie BSH (Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency), the central and lead agency responsible for shipping and maritime affairs in Germany under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development. This twinning project, which is being executed with what effectively is the German counterpart of the Malta Maritime Authority, is financed by the Transition Fund of the European Union.

This agreement follows the recent awarding to the Malta Maritime Authority of the Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) contracts, and also the Training Contract through which VTS personnel will be professionally trained in the UK.

BSH is also the German government’s agency responsible for safety of navigation and maritime security, the provision of nautical and hydrographic information services, administration of the German Flag and also responsible for Marine Environmental Protection. BSH employs about 800 employees and has two headquarters, in Hamburg and in Rostock.

As a result of this twinning agreement, BSH will be assisting the Authority’s Ports Directorate to ensure that the Vessel Traffic Services, which are expected to come into effect by the end of this year, will be professionally run. In this regard the German experts will assist MMA’s Marine professionals in developing Standard Operating Procedures, Instructions and Directions to both Mariners and Industry service providers to enhance the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic within the ports, approaches and territorial waters of Malta.

Another important component of this twinning is a full review of the Authority’s Maritime Environment Risk Management System (MERMS). BSH will within the scope of this twinning provide the MMA with customised software based on the German VPS 2000 System to replace existing software. The new software will serve as a national database to better monitor marine related operations and also a useful tool for oil pollution prevention and control related activities.

German Ambassador Georg Merten expressed his satisfaction at the realisation of this partnership between the leading maritime organisations such as MMA and BSH. Such projects reflect the excellent relationship that exists between Malta and Germany.

Charles Schembri, Executive Director for Ports at the Malta Maritime Authority, said “the Authority was looking forward to the timely successful completion of this important project, particularly so since the Authority is well aware of Germany’s reputable expertise in maritime spheres and having already had the opportunity to work with German consultancy firms in the past. I strongly believe that this present partnership would certainly be for the mutual benefit of both coastal states, will serve as a platform for exchange of ideas given the inherent diversities between the two maritime nations and would eventually set standards for the Central Mediterranean region.”