Malta’s survival over the years was dependent upon its ports, which provided for the livelihood of its people.

Throughout time, the Maritime industry has gone from strength to strength. In just the past seven years it has nearly doubled its registered tonnage, while generating more than 14% of Gross Domestic Product. Bridging the gap between Europe and Africa, Malta has always been important in the shipping industry. A testimony to this is the Maltese Maritime Registry, the largest in Europe and sixth largest in the world.

Currently, cruise ships and other vessels when berthed in Valletta Grand Harbour use their engines and burn marine gas oil in order to meet their energy demand. A 2015 European report found that one cruise ship berthed at port for eight hours produced the same effect as 300,000 cars driving from Ċirkewwa to Marsaxlokk.

The European Commission has earmarked funds to provide an alternative to the use of gas oil by berthed ships. The funds are for a “ship to shore” facility of electricity from an Onshore Power Supply, permitting berthed ships to switch off their engines. The result should be a drastic reduction in the level of emmissions when in port. The funds amount to nearly €22m and come from the Connecting Europe Facility.

Last week I visited the ongoing works, together with Minister Ian Borg and Infrastructure Malta officials. We were pleased to see this engineering feat is progressing at a steady pace.

This investment focuses on environmental enhancement. It shall be the second largest environmental project following the dismantling of the Marsa power station. This project provides an alternative to the auxiliary engines which ships are still making use of while berthed. These machines consume marine gas oil and consume a significant amount of energy to ensure the cruise ship has enough electricity to remain functioning. This leads to the release of various pollutants and harmful chemicals into the air, not to mention noise emissions.

The improvement in air quality from this project is impressive. It is estimated that 90% of the air pollution emmitted from ships in the Grand Harbour will be eradicated.

In the Budget, government committed itself to a similar project in Birzebbugia Freeport. This port caters for vessels carrying cargo, which are also very big in size and also have a negative effect on the surrounding area. After dismantling the heavy fuel oil power station in Marsaxlokk, the application of electrification of this port will be another marked improvement in air quality for the Birzebbuga residents.

We are in the process of identifying European funds to finance the ship to shore project at the Freeport in Birzebbuga and all entities involved have been put to task to see this plan come to fruition.

These projects align with the vision set out by the Prime Minister Robert Abela, with five objectives of providing for a better quality of life for all. It meets three of these objectives as it provides for better infrastructure, a more carbon neutral society and safeguards our economy.

As an island state, we cannot underestimate the importance of the sea. It is one of only two modes of transport which connect us to the rest of the world. By investing in environmetal-friendly marine infrastructure we are safeguarding our economic interests while improving the environment. This is a demonstration of how we can achieve economic progress while venturing to make our country carbon neutral by 2050.

Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi is parliamentary secretary for European Funds

at the Office of the Prime Minister