Parliament approved the Malta Maritime Authority financial estimates, by 27 votes in favour and 17 against.
Competitiveness and Comm-
unications Minister Censu Galea – under whom the responsibility of the authority falls – spoke in favour of the three directorates and the corporate office that together form the authority.
He commented on the merchant shipping directorate which has gone through a transformation not only with regards to its function, but also the results achieved. This directorate, through a plan of the MMA, reported a net increase in the tonnage registered under the Malta Flag.
The minister then proceeded to speak on the ports directorate, explaining that the number of ships which called in Malta this year was 10,500 – an increase of 1,300 ships from last year.
Mr Galea also spoke of the number of cruise liners visiting Malta, and said that the number of passengers who visited our islands this year was 446,000. This, he said, shows that the performance of the private sector together with that of the authority has had positive results.
Referring to the yachting centres directorate, which is responsible for the yacht marinas around Malta, Minister Galea said that although it has been recently placed in a bad light because of the scandal of the irregular licences, it was the MMA which had first reported these irregularities to the authorities concerned. He also said that discussions were in place to identify the needs of this sector and to see if there is the need to introduce new yacht marinas around the island. The introduction of temporary berthing facilities is also being considered, especially during the summer months, in order to accommodate yachters.
Next to speak was Labour spokesman Jose` Herrera, who said that the MMA is one of the most important agencies in the country, since its role to develop the maritime sector is very important. He said that Malta has managed to create a primary industry in the sector of the ships’ registry.
Dr Herrera said that from statistics presented by the minister, it was clear that the financial aspects of the ships’ registrations were very good – even though the best registered were in the year 2000.
The Labour spokesman added that when analysing the report the returns featured are not so high, but this he said, doesn’t mean that the returns established in the estimates are the only ones achieved – these are only the “tip of the iceberg”, since the returns for the Maltese economy through the maritime sector are much higher.
Dr Herrera said that the yachting industry in Malta is saturated due to a number of factors. He said that this industry could explode, and not remain a niche as it currently is. He gave the example of the online betting industry in Malta, which he said holds nearly seven per cent of the Maltese GDP.
The Labour MP said that entities interested in the yachting industry in Malta are not happy with the government performance in this regard. He added that super yachts create 7,000 jobs in Malta and that there is a 300 surplus in the waiting list for Maltese citizens to have anchorage facilities here in Malta. He said that this meant that Malta was losing business from foreign yachts since our marinas do not even have enough berths for the country’s demand.
Dr Herrera said various locations around the islands could be transformed into yacht marinas. He also added that Malta should be an upmarket destination and the coming about of new marinas would further ensure this. Dr Herrera explained that the MMA should
capitalise on the strategic position of our islands and transform the industry, while he also added that Maltese craftsmen were sought-after by yachters since their work is of a very high standard.
Labour whip Minister Joe Mizzi said that the maritime industry has a direct impact to all the citizens of this country. All that happens in this industry influences the standard of living since the majority of consumables are imported.
Mr Mizzi said that our maritime industry is no longer competitive and if the climate of this sector remains as it is, Malta will not only fail to attract new business but will also lose the ones it currently holds.
He went on to say that the estimates of the MMA presented are a “photocopy” of what has been presented in previous years. He referred to the Dock number one project which was never initiated by the Nationalist government.
The Labour whip pointed out that the European Commission has frequently shown its concern to the fair competition of the Maltese maritime sector.
He said that our country is losing its credibility within the maritime community since the ship safety standards are not enforced, which could lead to grave consequences to our tourism if an accident occurs.
Minister Censu Galea expressed
dissatisfaction at the comments made by Mr Mizzi since he failed to find anything positive in the authority’s performance, while he praised Dr Herrera’s remarks.
The minister ensured that he will keep on working as he has done in the last 10 years to boost the maritime sector in Malta. He said that the authority acted in the best interest for Malta and ensures that Malta remains in the best possible market position.
Mr Galea criticised MP Mizzi for his comments on Dock number one and said that the Cottonera residents were aware of the progress the Cottonera Waterfront, which through this investment regenerated the area, had brought about.
The minister went on to say that the port workers used to resist change, however nowadays they have understood that it is in their best interest to embrace change, since their income has increased substantially.
Mr Galea concluded by saying that there are indications that the business is going to increase in the Maltese ports; that the number of cruise liners visiting our ports will increase; and that the berths will also increase. He also remarked that there are locations where one could have a yacht marina, such as in Xemxija, Marsascala and in Gozo.