A new collective agreement for Tug Malta employees should pave the way for the imminent privatisation of the company, and guarantee the workers’ jobs for 10 years, sources told The Malta Independent yesterday.

On 23 May, the government announced that following the share sale process in Tug Malta, which commenced in September 2006, it had decided to accept the adjudicating committee’s recommendation to select Rimorchiatori Riuniti SpA as the preferred bidder. Rimorchiatori Riuniti SpA is a company that provides towage and harbour services in the ports of Genoa and Salerno.

It also provides many other special towage and offshore activities, including anti-pollution services. The company was established in 1922.