Joseph Zammit’s phone has been abuzz since Wednesday’s launch of the new ferry service between Tripoli and Malta, the first commercial maritime service since Libya was liberated a few weeks ago.
The potential of an internal back-loading service between Libyan ports is being examined
Direct access to Libya remains difficult post-conflict: operators are hindered by prohibitive costs as a perceived risk remains. Libyans and the international business community – not least the Maltese – are desperate for seamless connectivity with the North African country to be restored so that they can go about their business again.
Now, a Maltese-Cypriot/Turkish-Libyan consortium has taken the plunge and in a matter of days has designed and launched a low-cost ferry service deploying a vessel well-known in Tripoli.
Mediterranean Maritime Services, an alliance between Zammit Group, Fergun Shipping, and BH International of Libya, is to deploy the 100-metre M/F Azzurra from Valletta to Tripoli twice a week.
A 28-member Turkish crew will man the vessel on the 14-hour night trip. Azzurra’s maiden voyage on the route is scheduled for Wednesday.
“The response in these few days has been tremendous,” BH International group chief executive officer Charlo Briffa confirmed with The Sunday Times. “There is thirst for connectivity to Libya. Before the end of the conflict, we were already looking at setting up this shipping line.
“The feasibility studies have shown there is considerable demand for this service from people and business. We mobilised Azzurra in two weeks. She has been here since Tuesday.”
Azzurra is a familiar sight in Libya: the vessel evacuated more than 64,000 people fleeing the conflict: 18 voyages were made from Libya from as early in the crisis as March 8. It entered all the major ports – Tripoli, Misurata, Sirte, Benghazi – supporting countries like Syria, Tunisia, China, Somalia, Sudan and Egypt evacuate their nationals, with Qatari support.
Until last August, Azzurra was also deployed on contract for Nato, the IOM, the World Food Programme, and the Turkish Red Cross.
Mr Zammit, whose family shipping agent business operated one of the first Gozo ferry services for 38 years starting in the 1950s, knows this industry well. He stressed that it was “natural” that there should be a link between Malta and Libya – for decades the Maltese demanded access to North African destinations like Libya, Egypt or Algeria for trade to be facilitated.
Last week, enquiries about the new service were made by a wide range of organisations that need to restart business operations and transfer goods, and from civilians seeking facilitated travel.
Azzurra can accommodate 700 passengers, 70 cars or 25 semi-trailers and up to 40 20-foot containers. A low-cost pricing structure means passenger fares start at €85 and container transfer at just €500.
Bookings can be made through a dedicated e-mail address at info@mmsl.com.mt. Passengers are able to use a ticketing booth at the Valletta sea terminal in front of the non-Schengen zone.
Mediterranean Maritime Services is working to launch an online booking and information platform soon to reach local and international customers.
In Tripoli, BH International’s partners WP Shipping, a company which Mr Briffa said was instrumental in the port’s liberalisation, will handle the operational and customer-facing aspects of the service.
Discussions are under way to ensure passengers arriving from Libya are not made to wait outside the non-Schengen area for longer than necessary. The consortium has been encouraged by Malta’s efficient visa processing in Libya. In Malta, Libyan authorities are processing visas within one week, he said.
Mr Briffa admitted the consortium’s business development efforts were still in their early stages.
The consortium’s priority was to launch the service as quickly and as practically as possible, and there was still much work to be done.
Meetings were being held with authorities and stakeholders, particularly with airlines. International marketing efforts were to be centred on the potential for increased air traffic to Malta as a “bridge” to Libya. Mr Briffa added authorities had been particularly receptive to the ferry initiative.
“The beauty of this partnership is that Zammit Group and Fergun Shipping are very well-positioned in this sector,” Mr Briffa added.
“The mobilisation of the vessel in March took place very quickly as the players were among the first to respond to Nato’s requests.
“Many operators were reluctant because of insurance or safety concerns, but these two companies were not afraid to step in to help. Admittedly they operated in extreme and dangerous conditions but it was a humanitarian effort that was necessary.”
There is a history to this new partnership. Mr Zammit recalled how his group sold the old Mġarr ferry which ran the Malta-Gozo route to Fergun Shipping 25 years ago. The vessel was later deployed to connect Cyprus and Turkey. A “beautiful” relationship remained, he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Zammit, whose group is also involved in the automotive sector, had often struck conversations with Adel Ashur, the head of BH International, when they met while travelling between Malta and Libya. The Libyan group operates a diverse collection of businesses involved in the automotive, oil and gas, marine, and marketing sectors.
The two had always hoped they would collaborate, and this, Mr Zammit pointed out, was the perfect opportunity. BH International lends its local knowledge of Libya to the consortium, while Zammit Group and Fergun brought their expertise in shipping.
Azzurra is one in a fleet of nine vessels. Another vessel, the Fehmi Bey, which operated a roll-on roll-off service for the World Food Programme until late October, is expected to be deployed if the consortium’s forecasts are realised.
Fehmi Bey, which is currently drydocked in Famagusta, would operate a mainly cargo service, possibly on a Malta-Misurata- Malta-Benghazi route. The potential of an internal back-loading service between Libyan ports is also being examined. The entire fleet will help the consortium ensure service reliability.
“When an essential service like this is designed, it has to be efficient,” Mr Briffa added. “This is not an adventure – this is important. A direct link in these circumstances where Libya needs a connection to the outside world is necessary.
“We will honour the pledge we made on Wednesday for the service to be ‘affordable, safe and regular’ without interruptions. The fares are flat rates. There is no fuel surcharge or service charge. We are in this for the long-term.”