The Malta Maritime Authority and the Malta Maritime Pilots Cooperative have concluded a new agreement on harbour pilots, ending an issue which had led to industrial action.

The agreement provides for further streamlining of the tariff system and transfers responsibilities for the provision of pilot launch services to the Malta Maritime Pilots .

The government said there will now be an all-inclusive tariff whereby the standard tariff charged for pilotage services incorporates the associated pilot launch service. The fee charged by the Malta Maritime Authority shall be reduced from 10% to 5%.

Whereas at present the pilot launch service at Valletta is provided by the Mooring Corps and that at Marsaxlokk is given by a private contractor, both services will now be provided by the Pilots' Cooperative.

The cooperative has been bound to provide a new 13.5 metre dedicated pilot launch in 2008 and a second similar new pilot launch in eight years' time. The cost of these new pilot launches has been established at Lm350,000 (€815,280) per launch.

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