A €6 million investment "in the safety of Maltese waters" financed by Transport Malta has been made, the Ministry for Transport stated on Monday.
It said that the investment includes the upgrading of a number of radars at sites around Malta, as well as the replacing of hardware and software in two control centres.
It added that the investment also includes a ten-year maintenance agreement, and that it confirms the government's ongoing commitment to maritime safety, as well as the efficiency in the operation of Maltese waters and environmental sustainability.
The ministry said that Minister Chris Bonett visited the Transport Malta offices in Marsa, where he followed the operation of the Vehicle Traffic Services.
The ministry continued that the VTS system is a crucial component of the country's maritime infrastructure. It said that the system ensures safe and efficient monitoring of vessel movements in Maltese waters, in compliance with the Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information Systems Directive and international standards. It added that with advanced radar sites and modern control centres, the VTS plays an essential role in Malta maintaining its status as a leading maritime hub in the Mediterranean.
The ministry stated that the VTS operation in Malta is divided between three channels. One, the Valetta VTS, is responsible for monitoring vessel movements in Maltese territorial waters, including the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett. It continued that another is the Marsaxlokk VTS, which manages vessel traffic in the southern area of Malta. The third channel, it said, is the Mgarr Local Port Service, which oversees port operations in Gozo.
Bonett spoke of Transport Malta's efforts to strengthen maritime safety. He said that the investment in the VTS system is a testament to Malta's strong commitment to modernising its maritime sector, and that by investing in advanced technology and strengthening international collaboration, "we are ensuring safer areas and a more sustainable future for our maritime industry".
He said that this is crucial for Malta to remain a centre of excellence in the Mediterranean maritime sector. He added that such investments are very important for Malta, as sea transport is the source through which the country does business with other nations and receives goods.
Transport Malta CEO Kurt Farrugia said that with this investment, Transport Malta will be able to better monitor Maltese waters in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Malta.
Captain Fritz Farrugia, Chief Officer and Harbour Master at Transport Malta, said that with the VTS system and through systems of sensors, radars, as well as other tools and systems, "we are in a position to see and manage the movements of ships in the ports and Maltese territory, thus ensuring that ships arrive on time and that there are no delays in the ports".