Parliamentary secretary Tonio Fenech and US Ambassador Molly Bordanaro yesterday officially inaugurated the new state-of-the-art customs inspection warehouse at the Malta Freeport, worth almost $2 million (Lm606,060/ EUR1,411,740).
The renovation of the warehouse provided new offices for Maltese customs officials and provides safe storage for the $1.2 million (Lm363,636/ EUR847,044) Vehicle and Container Inspection System (Vacis).
The new facilities will help Malta counteract against the transportation of illicit weapons and counterfeit objects.
Mr Fenech said that the warehouse is a living symbol of the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Maltese and US governments.
He went on to say that Malta's economy continues to be based on global trade and international business, including extensive transhipment and maritime services.
Customs has shed its former role as a major revenue generator for government in favour of greater responsibilities towards security and safety obligations which government has undertaken to safeguard, said Mr Fenech.
The parliamentary secretary said that workers are the country’s most valuable resource.
“However, human resources must be complemented by equipment and technology, the absence of which limits effective control and hinders trade,” he said.
He pointed out that there has been a shift away the traditional revenue-generating role of customs towards the enforcement of import, export and transhipment controls for the protection of legitimate economic operators, consumers, and of national and international security.
Malta Freeport is handling around 1.4 million Twenty Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually, said Mr Fenech.
“We cannot allow smugglers, drug and people traffickers, and terrorists to take advantage of this same economic vitality and of our strategic position in maritime trade,” he said.
The inauguration of this warehouse is reminder of the efforts of the EU and the US to address the threats presented by global terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, he added.
The warehouse also will help in the closer inspection and scanning of the contents of shipping containers. If custom officials notice something suspect in the external scan, these can unload the contents inside the warehouse and scan them with a pallet scanner.
US Army Corps of Engineer District Commander Colonel Margaret Burcham explained that this was her second visit to the warehouse.
“The outlay of this warehouse was very simple when I came here on my first visit. Now almost $2 million later it has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility,” she said.
Col. Burcham explained that that an additional three feet of concrete were added on the floor over a 200,000 gallon tank of water that can be used to extinguish any possible fires that might break out in the building.
The warehouse also provides protection from the elements, gas detection facilities and is covered by a closed circuit TV system
She expressed her satisfaction that the project was completed on time and within budget.
US Ambassador Molly Bordonaro said that this project further strengthened the relationship between the two countries.
“Malta has the highest ratings of customs security – something that it should be proud of,” she said.
Mrs Bordonaro went on to say that even though the Mediterranean basin is only 0.7 per cent of all the seas and oceans, 30 per cent of maritime commerce passes through this area – and the majority stop at the Malta Freeport.
“Vigilance for safety and security is very important – both in the local and global aspect,” she said.
Director General of Customs Paul Scerri said that Maltese customs feel the pressure to process the ever-increasing amount of maritime commerce at a faster pace while keeping up with security and safety levels.
“Malta is preparing itself for the new responsibility that the EU will vest upon it,” he said, adding that Malta will play a vital role in EU security.