The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Joe Mizzi said that the ESA Group’s belief in Malta’s potential as a centre of maritime excellence in the Mediterranean is in line with the Government’s national vision, and that the group’s presence in Malta is contributing to transforming this vision into a reality.
ESA Ship Management Ltd, an entirely Maltese-owned subsidiary of ESA Genoa, has started operations in Malta; its operations focus on handling vessels’ technical and safety requirements in line with international standards.
During his speech, Minister Mizzi said that it is estimated that the maritime sector in Malta assisted in the creation of over 1,000 professional jobs within the ship registration industry alone, which as a sector it contributes about 12% of the country’s GDP. If one were to look into employment within the whole Maltese maritime cluster, it transpires that there are over 3,000 professional jobs.
Minister Mizzi said that the Government is fully aware that our maritime sector already contributes substantially towards the economy, but that this market must be opened even further so as to seek new and emerging niche markets. “We are still confident that there is still room for more investment and the creation of quality jobs if we develop this industry in a sustainable manner,” he added.
“We have so much to be proud of in our maritime industry. A rich and extraordinary history, a flag that is respected around the world as a quality jurisdiction and a leading player, one of the main trans-shipment hubs in the Mediterranean, a primary cruise port, and maritime services that are recognised globally for their excellence. Yet this self-same industry, this priceless national asset, is facing increasing challenges both from abroad and at home. It is for this reason that we need to build on our success and identify new niches in this extremely volatile market.”
He also said that that the Government is pledging to continue creating a favorable environment in order to attract foreign ship managers to conduct their operations from Malta while complying with international and EU standards and regulations so as to ensure the provision of services of the highest quality to their clients. Our country’s legal and fiscal framework, and the creation of a healthy and strong economy, already provide an attractive proposition for such activities, bringing Malta on a level playing field with other traditional European ship management jurisdictions.
“Other critical features”, he said, “include a reputable flag, a reliable and efficient regulator which has established itself as a dynamic maritime administration that offers stability, quality understanding and flexibility, a sound ICT infrastructure, and an accounting, banking and administrative framework that can adequately support ship managers who intend on using Malta as a base for the conduct of their business.”
The minister said that for Maritime Malta to continue to be an attractive location for a diverse range of international maritime business, it is important to continue to attract and develop maritime talent. “As part of our efforts on this, in recent months, Transport Malta signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Maritime University with the aim of grooming local talent for maritime and related sectors through education. This is but one of the examples of how Transport Malta is responding to the industry’s needs and supporting the maritime industry’s growth and development in Malta”.
Minister Mizzi encouraged companies operating from Malta to afford opportunities to officer cadets so as to enable them to attain the required sea-time onboard their ships.