Quay extension welcomed

The Nationalist Party yesterday welcomed Mepa's decision to approve the extension of Pinto Wharf in Grand Harbour to provide better berthing facilities for large cruise liners.

The application, which was submitted by the cruise terminal operator, will extend the quay by 40 metres to be able to accommodate larger cruise liners which in previous years had faced berthing problems.

In a statement, the Nationalist Party said it welcomed the decision, adding that the project would strengthen the cruise liner industry.

The party pointed to official statistics which show an increase in the number of tourists coming to Malta on cruise liners.

With just under 77,000 passengers last month the number of cruise passengers increased by 19 per cent when compared to September last year.

The party said that the success being registered in the industry comes thanks to the investment made by the different PN governments in recent years, adding that when work on the quay was about to start the Labour party had criticised the project.