Ministry probing registration of two ships

An inquiry has been ordered by the Minister for Transport Austin Gatt about allegations that the identity of two ships carrying the Bolivian flag was used to register two other ships under the Malta flag.

The vessels allegedly involved in this case are mv Sharone I and mv Gaja I.

Dr Gatt has instructed the Permanent Secretary within his ministry to conduct an inquiry into the matter immediately.

The investigation, which began yesterday, is intended to see whether all the legal provisions were observed and, if not, to determine the parties responsible; to determine whether the alleged wrongdoing was coming from the Malta Maritime Authority or from third parties and in the latter case to identify the said third parties; and to assess whether the alleged wrongdoing amounts to criminal liability.

The Maritime Authority has withheld the clearance of the two vessels until the inquiry is concluded, the ministry said.