Shipyards claim defamation by entrepreneur

Malta Shipyards Ltd yesterday filed a judicial protest against entrepreneur Joseph Cala claiming that the latter had made a number of defamatory public statements and media interventions.

The protest was filed by the company and also by John Cassar White, Christopher Bell and Lawrence Zammit.

In their protest the company and its officials said that discussions were underway about the possibility of Malta Shipyards constructing a number of vessels for Mr Cala. Prior to any commitment being undertaken and prior to any expenditure, a serious feasibility study had to be carried out on this project.

However, Mr Cala had failed to produce the technical studies that were required. All he had done was make statements and propose ideas without conducting a serious feasibility study.

Mr Cala had then made a number of public statements which were defamatory to the company and its officials and which might also be in breach of the confidentiality obligations between the parties.

Malta Shipyard added that it was informed that Mr Cala was in imminent need of more capital, and that he had proposed a compromise solution that was totally rejected by the competent authorities of the country. As a result, the company was bound to be cautious when dealing with Mr Cala.

In conclusion, the company and its officials said that Mr Cala had insulted them and had tried to cast doubt about their motives.

They called upon Mr Cala to halt his abusive actions and reserved their right to take further action against him and against whoever in the media was publishing his comments and assertions.

Lawyer Andrew Borg Cardona acted for Malta Shipyards and its officials.