The completion date of a landing ferry terminal in Sliema with sheltered waiting, landing and boarding areas has been extended to the first quarter of 2022, Infrastructure Malta told The Malta Independent.

Infrastructure Malta spokesman David Vella explained that the completion of timelines of this new project were impacted by various factors.

“Rough sea conditions during different phases of the construction of the underwater structures left the contractors unable to continue their work safely for many days,” Vella said.

He added that “this is normally one of the main causes of delays in maritime projects.”

 

Infrastructure Malta explained that the ongoing project, which started in April 2019, is split into two, therefore comprising of two separate deadlines. The first part of the development consists of building the new ferry landing quay itself, whilst the second part consists of building the structures above it. Once the quay structure is completed in the coming months, Infrastructure Malta will then launch the second phase of the project, including the installation of ramps and other equipment to improve the quality of ferry services and the construction of the steel structure that will provide shelter to passengers.

The initial plan was to complete the quay in 2020 but it will now be ready in the coming months instead. The structures above it were to be completed in 2021 but naturally, since the underlying quay was delayed, the development of the structures had to be delayed as well, thus these new facilities will be ready in the first quarter of 2022.

The project includes the construction of complex quay structures going down almost three storeys underwater, supported on concrete piles drilled even deeper into the seabed. On these new ferry landing areas, passengers will have safer embarkation ramps and sheltered waiting areas for improved comfort and accessibility. The upgraded ferry landing site will also encourage more commuters to choose ferry services when travelling between Cottonera, Valletta and Sliema.

Vella added that whilst seabed geotechnical investigations were carried out during the planning of the new quay, when workers started the underwater excavations and drilling, they uncovered different conditions and weaker subsea materials, necessitating additional geotechnical studies.

“As a result of these investigations, Infrastructure Malta had to alter the original construction methods to account for these weak seabed materials and to ensure the safety of workers and the protection of the surrounding marine environment.”

“There were also instances when Infrastructure Malta identified unjustified delays, and the contractor was duly penalised in line with applicable contract terms,” Vella said.

“On days when no works are observed on site, other works, including casting of precast concrete elements, are normally ongoing in off-site plans.”

The construction of the Sliema landing ferry sites as well as the one in Cospicua is part-financed by the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund’s 2014-2020 operational programme. This funding programme closes off in 2023.