€60 million allocated for harbour development

The government has allocated €60 million in EU Cohesion funds for the development of the harbours infrastructure, Austin Gatt, Minister of the Infrastructure and Communications said today.

He said works will include repairs to the breakwater infrastructure, the upgrading of Deep Water Quay, the development and extension of Fuel Wharf and Laboratory Wharf and the development of Boiler Wharf (currently part of the dockyard) as a cruise liner berth.

Speaking during the opening of new offices of Valletta Gateway Terminals Ltd within the Maritime Centre in Floriana, Dr Gatt said that the concession agreement with Valletta Getaway Terminals Ltd was an important milestone in the reform of the ports. VGT had notably increased activity in Grand Harbour and had considerably improved the cargo handling services, making this one of the most successful privatisations.

The future looked bright and VGT fitted in well in the government’s vision for the rehabilitation of the Grand Harbour, especially where the extension of quays was planned, Dr Gatt said.

He said the government also wanted to reform the Malta Maritime Authority, moving it out of operational matters and instead focusing on being a strong regulator. A change was also required for the financing model of the Authority so that it would be able to deliver important capital projects with the least burden on central funds.