Birzebbuga council objects to ship cleaning permit

The Birzebbuga local council filed a judicial protest against the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the Malta Maritime Authority.

The council claimed that on February 8, Mepa had issued a permit for the underwater cleaning of the hull and propeller of the vessel mv Fas Var.

The permit was issued after only five hours from the filing of the application, and without consultation with the council. The permit authorised the cleaning to take place in Birzebbuga, although in terms of international regulations such cleaning had to take place in a drydock or outside a port.

This issue seriously affected the locality as Birzebbuga was very close to a bay used by local and foreign swimmers.

The council claimed that although the permit had stipulated that no chemicals were to be used for the cleaning works and also laid down the manner in which waste products were to be disposed of, it had not listed any conditions.

MMA had issued a similar permit on the following day. The council formally protested against respondents and held them liable in damages.

Lawyer Christopher Vella signed the protest.