Super yacht facility bidders asked to make fresh proposals

Talks on the sale of the shipyards' super yacht facility have failed and the bidders were asked to submit fresh proposals because their previous offers were deemed to be unsatisfactory. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli.

Bidders for the Malta Shipyards Ltd's super yacht facility were asked to submit fresh proposals yesterday because their first offers were considered unsatisfactory.

The Privatisation Unit informed the government that, after considering the submitted proposals and following some clarification meetings, none were satisfactory.

The government said all bidders were informed of the decision yesterday.

The process for the privatisation of the shipyards started in the middle of last year and included an early retirement scheme, taken up by almost all its workers. It has seen the facilities of Malta Shipyards divided into four units: the ship repair yard in Cospicua, the former Marsa shipbuilding yard, the super yachts facility in Cospicua and Manoel Island Yacht Yard.

A total of 14 bids were received, of which three were for the ship repair facilities, five for Malta Super Yachts Facility, three for the shipbuilding facilities and three for Manoel Island Yacht Yard.

Preferred bidders had already been selected for the Marsa yard and the Manoel Island facility at the beginning of summer.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Monday, November 23, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Jesmond Micallef (2 weeks, 5 days ago)

What about converting this whole area for the benefits of the private small boat manufacturing industry in Malta. It will definetly help in as much as facilities and expertise. Maybe the University of Malta together with these small manufacturing companies could also consider building a research tank for hull modelling or wave research for example which could be used for all sorts of scientific purposes such as underwater power turbines driven by sea currents !! The private Boat manufacturing industry in Malta should be looked at here. There are so many enthusiasts on Malta and Gozo. It such a shame that Malta is right in the middle of a beautifull sea and yet has no international stand on marine technology. It is the leisure and environmental industry I am taking about here.

Please consider this very very thoroughly.