Kurt Bugeja Coster
Patrol boats ahead of schedule
The construction of four patrol boats for the Armed Forces of Malta is well on schedule and they should be delivered in six months.
The AFM signed a contract with Austal Ships, a world leading manufacturer, following an international call for tenders, which included training sailors and engineers. This was the shipbuilder's first defence contract in Europe.
The patrol boats, being constructed in Western Australia, are more than 20 metres long and reach a maximum speed of 26 knots.
Lieutenant Colonel Martin Sammut, the project's team leader, said the excellent relationship established with the shipbuilder promised the delivery of the best product in line with the agreed requirements.
The patrol boats are equipped with better communication and surveillance equipment when compared to the type installed in the vessels now in use by the armed forces. The boats include a rigid hull inflatable boat stowed and launched off a ramp on the main deck.
The squadron maintains the integration of the islands' territorial waters, combats drug trafficking, conducts illegal immigration and illegal fishing operations and operates a search and rescue service.
In all, the boats cost €9.6 million, but the government will only be forking out 25 per cent of the cost, the rest coming from the EU's External Borders Fund.
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j Buhagiar
Jun 25th 2009, 00:31
@ Martinelli
EU is against subsidization, but offers funds.... it's a new word... ONE TIME or Two Times it is still subsidization....
J Martinelli
Jun 24th 2009, 16:21
@ J Buhagiar
The EU is against subsidies which prop up unproductive and failing companies such as the Shipyards were.
What you term as 'subsidies' are not subsidies at all but ONE TIME GRANTS for particular projects which the EU itself encourages, initiates or enacts.
@ lGalea
The Shipyards were closed because of inefficiency, under production, stubborn Union, militant workers and an annual subsidy which paid wages to idle workers. No matter how much you bray, nothing alters facts. The Socialists did not solve the problem thirty years ago and finally the present government had the guts, with the help of EU's insistence, to put an end to the money drain. The Shipyards had a full seven years to turn things around, but the workers (and management) started on the right track but ultimately failed because, as they say, 'old habits die hard'.
The low bids received for the ship repair portions reflect the reluctance of bidders and their caution towards ending up with some of the old gang many of whom had a good part of a lifetime to practice union backed inefficiencies while demanding highest wages.
C Cassar
Jun 24th 2009, 14:17
It's all very simple. A better deal was done with Austal. The Malta shipyards were so inefficient they could not compete at all yesterday let alone today. One of the main problems were the unions - completey inflexible and no idea with regards running a business. A business needs to make a profit in order to reinvest in the business so that it can a) grow and b) compete.
The same situation with ADT and the bus workers. They are completely out of date but fight against any change whatsoever. Again the problem is the unions who are killing off Maltese industries one by one. Why can't certain Maltese workers and unions understand the simple fact that the money to pay them has to come from somewhere? They seem to not care and assume it's from some big black hole and that they have a job for life. Well, thank God times have changed and now these same people will not have guaranteed pensions or guranteed employment. Both of these priviliges now come only if you really earn them, not just turn up (or not) and do the bare minimum or less and then go home.
lgalea
Jun 24th 2009, 11:55
C Roberts
Malta Shipyards could not tender for the project because the Government and the EU wanted them closed down, each for their particular reasons. This is another negative aspect of eu membership. How long are the Maltese citizens going to continue to suffer such humiliation at the hands of the eu petty dictators?
J Buhagiar
Jun 24th 2009, 11:14
What really amaze me is that the EU wants to stop subsidization but she is doing so itself... under a new same FUNDS...... so counldn't we stop subsidizing the Malta Dockyards and starting funding it like EU... now we are EU citizens no? so we should like so... I'm sure maltese worked would have done this job faster better and much cheaper.... Gozo channel ferries are the proof and many more ships
C Roberts
Jun 24th 2009, 11:03
Everyone likes to see their local industry do well, but it's a fact of life that some countries/companies do some things better than others. Australia is well known for its building fast boats and since there was an international tender for this project it seems to me that everyone had a chance including Maltese shipyards. Presumably Austal Ships offer provided the best overall value, perhaps even a lower price despite the distance. It may be their first European defence contract but they are also building ships for the United States Navy and Army, which is good indication that they produce the right product at the right price. They also build nearly all the fast ferries for Europe, including two for Virtu Ferries in Malta. Meanwhile, as an Australian I can tell you that our Navy is buying two big steel ships from Spain. Australia doesn't have any big steel shipayrds, so it just goes to show that sometimes Government's go to the supplier that is the expert in its field. If that keeps taxes down, while still getting the right equipment, that's a good thing.
H Dempster
Jun 24th 2009, 10:06
What a mentality we maltese have that what is foreign if better that maltese products.
Werent the Malta shipyard capable to build these patrol boats? They would definitly have cost less.
One has to also realise the freight which is involved to ship these boats to Malta. Again a complete waste of our money and lack of confidence in our home producuts.