Ship agents should be regulated as had been suggested in a 2005 report, the Association of Ship Agents is urging.
Association president Ernest Sullivan explained that the government had commissioned a report on the proposal and that the draft Bill had actually been drawn up, but that no consultation was carried out and things stopped there.
Transport Malta said it was in favour of regulation – but has denied that there are any problems with the current ship agents.
The London-based Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA) set up a quality standard in 2007.
“There is no international regulation governing who can and cannot be a ship agent or brokers, yet shipowners entrust their highly valuable vessels and cargoes to companies whose financial probity or expertise is unknown. By providing the maritime industry with a robust, enforceable and practical quality standard, FONASBA has helped ensure that the activities, responsibilities and liabilities of agents and brokers is subject to scrutiny,” the association said.
The government has set up the Malta Maritime Forum which wants to turn the island into a centre of excellence for shipping and regulating the sector by making quality certification mandatory would be a huge step towards this
“The value of the quality standard was quickly recognised and around 70 per cent of ship agents in Malta have already attained it,” Mr Sullivan said. Sixteen companies in Malta are listed on the FONASBA site. The standards cover various aspects of ship agents’ work, from operations and robust financials, to insurance.
“The private sector is all in favour of this, as it would bring our port operations up to date. The government has set up the Malta Maritime Forum which wants to turn the island into a centre of excellence for shipping and regulating the sector by making quality certification mandatory would be a huge step towards this,” Mr Sullivan said.
A Transport Malta spokesman denied that there were problems with any of the ship agents and acknowledged that there were efforts underway to push for higher standards.
“Transport Malta is aware that the Association of Ship Agents is interested in having a legal framework in place to recognise the profession and to establish minimum standards to operate as a ship agent.
“This would ascertain that quality standards are in place and that services rendered to clients meet industry and FONASBA standards. Transport Malta welcomes such an industry-led, proactive approach and is willing to work closely and support initiatives that enhance the Maritime Malta package and image,” he said.
The Transport Ministry was asked about the government’s intentions but no reply was forthcoming at the time of going to print.