Monday, 11th August 2008 - 09:58CET
Shipyards: Call for expressions of interest today
The process for the privatisation of Malta Shipyards reaches another milestone today when the international call for expressions of interest will be published.
A spokesman for the Finance Ministry said the call will be published in the leading maritime publications Lloyds List and Fairplay.
The process was kicked off last week when the government issued schemes for the voluntary early retirement/resignation of dockyard workers.
The government argues that the shipyard would be more attractive to potential bidders if the workforce of some 1,600 is reduced to about 700.
No firm decision has been taken yet over whether the shipyard will be sold as a whole to one investor or whether its various sections will be sold separately, since that will depend on the bids that are received, once the call for bids is opened.
The government will retain the title over the docks and surrounding properties, which will be leased to the winning bidder. It will be a condition of the contract that the area must continue to be used for maritime activities and cannot be used for speculation.
The exercise is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
RSS
Comments
you should be ashamed of yourself! You are inviting a bunch of millionairres to take over an industry of more than 200 years old when the opportunity cost is the loss of a 1000 families from their jobs! Imagine yourself being deprived from your beloved job for the sake of millionairres! Pff how pathetic!
The responsibility should be taken by gonzi pn, after all it was his govt that made the promises, promises that are written black on white!
I wonder who the planning geniuses and strategic thinkers within Government are who came up with this absurd solution or was it just some ministerial whim of which we get plenty although hardly any bear fruit..
Did our decision makers leaders bother to consult experts in dockland rehabilitation who through their knowhow have turned some of the most depressed harbours in Europe to become magnets of tourist and maritime related activities.
If we really still want shipyard activities we should transfer them to the free port area.