Freeport hit by worker shortage

The Freeport is having to seriously reconsider its investment plans for 2007/2008 because a shortage of port workers means that it cannot cope with the current and future workload.

Freeport sources estimate that about 84 more workers are needed to cope with the projected workload this year.

Throughput increased to 1.485 million TEU (containers) last year, representing double-digit growth over 2005.

The Freeport had to turn away five main line ships over the Christmas period alone, representing thousands of liri of lost revenue. In addition, delays are being caused when there are overlaps of vessels as happened this week, with the Freeport incurring fines.

It has brought the matter to the attention of the Malta Maritime Authority on a number of occasions over the past two years but with port reform "imminent" for much of that time, there has been no progress.

Freeport operator CMA-CGM has just completed the first phase of its investment at a total cost of €40 million. This year, the Freeport was due to start signing contracts for the second phase of its investment, described as being "considerably more than the first", in preparation for increasing the Freeport's capacity to three million TEUs.