Maritime authority twins with German agency

The Maritime Authority has announced a twinning agreement with the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie BSH), the central agency responsible for shipping and maritime affairs in Germany.

The twinning is financed by the EU's Transition Fund.

The agreement follows the recent awarding of the Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) contracts and the training contract through which VTS personnel will be trained in the UK.

BSH will be assisting the authority's Ports Directorate to ensure that vessel traffic services, which are expected to come into effect by the end of this year, are run professionally.

The German experts will help the authority's marine professionals enhance the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic within the ports, approaches and territorial waters of Malta.

Another component of the twinning is a full review of the authority's Maritime Environment Risk Management System. BSH will provide customised software.