The Association of Ship Agents has denied statements made by Malta Maritime Authority chairman Marc Bonello that any increase in the tariffs charged for containers going through the Freeport can only be attributed to higher charges by the shipping agents and/or burdnara.

The association said these erroneous statements were only creating concern and misleading the public.

The ship agents said in a statement yesterday that they have not increased their fees in any way and thus, “accusations stating otherwise are completely unfounded and wide of the mark”.

They said also that contrary to what Dr Bonello had been reported as saying, there was no agreement – which he said he was ready to publish – signed with the Ship Agents’ Association,

“The only interim arrangement being discussed with the Port Reform Negotiating Team is the one regarding the payment of the Ship Foreman – and this is being done on the explicit request of the Negotiating Team itself. ”

The association, it added, “is to say the least surprised with such comments, and at this stage would recommend to the authorities that rather than throw unwarranted accusations, they reflect the situation as it truly stands today. ”

The ship agents said they want to stress that as far as they were concerned, the port reform was still to take place, and as yet, little had changed other than the appointment of a new terminal operator in Valletta.