It is right and proper to exploit the potential undersea resources buried deep under the seabed in our territorial waters.

It is equally right and proper and in Malta’s interest to discover and utilize the tremendous economic and social advantages awaiting us from under the water surface.

Being a small island we are blessed with short sea distances as well as a considerable number of sheltered nooks and harbours.

This offers the potential to seriously lighten the heavy stress on our road network by providing access to passenger traffic in and around our coastal waters to all strategic points on the island’s coastline.

By designing a small and highly efficient boat operating on solar energy that could be expeditiously produced in our dockyard and the various ship repair yards, a highly organised ferry service could radiate from Valletta to the various parts of the island. These boats should provide safe access to the handicapped and senior citizens and include a number of self-service facilities for the purchase of hot coffee, sandwiches, cold drinks and other popular consumables.

Being blessed with calm, moderate seasons, the service should be able to operate practically all the year round except for short spells in winter. During the rest of the seasons, but especially during the summer months, the service should prove a stupendous attraction not just for the locals but even more for tourists interested in exploring and beholding our magnificent sea and landscapes from the surface of the water.

But perhaps the biggest advantage of all is the evident exploitation of the sea surface as tremendously cheap passenger lanes needing no initial capital costs, no running expenses to maintain surfaces, white and yellow traffic lines, zebra crossings and street lighting.

In short there will be no need whatsoever for the paraphernalia of road furniture, patrolling wardens and policemen.

All the landing places will also be designed for the most efficient use and with weather protection. Integration of bicycle, public transport and pedestrian paths would increase the attractiveness of the water service.

This transport system would also open wide the doors for ancillary and beneficial employment and secondary industries catering for and keeping the water service moving efficiently around the island at the cheapest possible costs and charges.

Taking into account all these excellent advantages coupled with improved land services and an underground system, Malta should easily achieve and advance to the highest level of transport perfection among the EU community.

Edwin Calleja

BALZAN