Plans for Xemxija yacht marina revived

The Malta Maritime Authority is considering raising berthing fees at the yacht marinas it manages, although the ultimate aim is for the marinas to be privatised, Communications Minister Censu Galea said yesterday.

Asked whether he could confirm rumours that the berthing fees were set to rise, Mr Galea said proposals had been made to bring prices in line with other marinas in the Mediterranean, a move which, he said, would enable the authority to better meet its rising costs.

However, the ultimate aim of the MMA was to act as a regulator and the plan was to eventually privatise all the marinas. "This will promote competition that will lead to a stabilisation, and possibly a decrease, in berthing rates while ensuring high standards to clients," he said.

Mr Galea and MMA chairman Marc Bonello held the press conference to announce plans by the authority to develop a new yacht marina in Xemxija Bay due to a strong demand for berths.

Mr Bonello said Xemxija Bay was identified as a possible site for a marina some years ago when the authority had drawn up a list of ports and bays that were potential marinas.

"The study had been conducted at a time when demand for yacht berths was not as high as it is today.

"We are now revisiting these proposals in view of the increase in demand and we will be consulting the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to propose a development brief," he said.

Once the plans are ready, the MMA would issue public calls for interested bidders for the Xemxija project, Dr Bonello said.

He said the MMA had a waiting list of around 400 boat owners asking for a permanent berth.

Statistics show that the number of sea craft on the MMA's Small Ships register shot up in recent decades, reaching more than 13,000 registered vessels.

"Though plans are not definite, the inner part of the bay where the marina could be developed, will have to be sheltered, possibly by a breakwater," Dr Bonello said.

Mr Galea said Xemxija Bay was exposed to the North East wind and a marina there would involve structural works in the bay.

He said all marinas in Malta and Gozo - whether administered by the Malta Maritime Authority or privately run - were full or close to full.

"Competition is very stiff when it comes to offering yacht facilities in the Mediterranean. Malta is in a strategic location and our yachting facilities have to improve continually," Mr Galea said.

Asked how many new berths would be available at the proposed marina, Mr Galea said this depended on its size, on which no decision had been taken so far.

The Msida and Ta' Xbiex marinas have 790 berths, which are all taken up. The authority recently extended two pontoons close to the Black Pearl breakwater, creating another 25 places, which were taken up immediately. There are some 150 berths in Gozo.

Berths at private marinas such as Portomaso, Manoel Island and Cottonera add up to another 700 berths.