New cruise passenger terminal opened

The Forni Sea Passenger Terminal, which forms part of the Valletta Waterfront project operated by Viset, was officially opened yesterday by President Eddie Fenech Adami.

Viset chairman Joe Grioli said the project was completed on time and within the planned budget. Malta was now able to handle home porting passenger operations - when cruises start and end in Malta - in premises that allowed it to compete on quality with any other port in the world.

Dr Fenech Adami said the terminal was a realisation of Mr Grioli's dreams when he was the chairman of the Malta Maritime Authority. The President confessed, however, that he was sceptical about it back then.

However, the project showed the country's desire to rehabilitate its great architectural heritage which unfortunately had been neglected for many years.

Viset has revamped the warehouses built by Grand Master Pinto after they were left in a derelict state for centuries.

Mr Grioli said the Valletta Waterfront was now a hive of activity with catering establishments, shopping outlets, vaults serving as art galleries and a laguna.

He said that the Mediterranean was currently the largest market in the cruise industry business registering 11 per cent growth last year.

Viset's passenger landings last year registered a 16.7 per cent increase over 2004 with 38 per cent of passengers arriving on vessels exceeding 250 metres in length. A further 34 per cent came onboard vessels which were between 200 and 250 metres.

A strong trend for companies to operate bigger ships was being noticed, presenting the company with the challenge of providing longer berthing spaces.

The chairman said longer periods of activity were being experienced year after year with the busiest month last year being October when there was a total throughput of more than 51,000 passengers.

He complained, however, that Viset was hindered by excess bureaucracy.

"The market will not wait for because in the meantime other countries are trying to copy what we have done. We must make sure that we do not give them the time to get there before us because of unnecessary bureaucracy," he warned.

Mr Grioli said that the heavy investment in shipbuilding programmes was a prime indicator that the cruise liner industry was bound to grow. There were also indications that the Mediterranean was going to be one of the major regions to experience this growth. "It is for this new growth that the new Sea Passenger Terminal has been designed and built." The Magazzino Hall was also restored. This would cater for the passengers waiting to start their trip on the Super Star Libra, a home porting operation starting early next month.

According to research carried out by the Malta Cruise Network last year, 98 per cent of the passengers visiting Malta on board cruise liners were very impressed with the Valletta Waterfront.

"We are aware that we have to compete with countries in the Mediterranean region. Our strategy is based on a strong emphasis on the quality of our product, a healthy environment and regular events that promote Malta as a whole experience rather than just a destination.

"Having Valletta, our majestic capital city, so close to the cruise liner passenger terminal is a major bonus, as we are giving all the cruise liner visitors a unique experience of the glorious history of our country."