Malta’s proposition as an EU maritime hub and the advantages of its geographical location were showcased at a two-day St Julian’s event last week organised by CLC Projects of Hong Kong, a network of freight forwarders servicing SMEs.

Around 50 people representing more than 35 small international shipping firms from across Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia flew in for the networking opportunity for transport and logistics professionals.

International ship owners, port operators, and various maritime businesses pitched their offering to participants. Mark Fenech, partner at law firm Fenech and Fenech gave a presentation themed Malta – A Safe Haven for International Business. The programme included a visit to Malta Freeport on the first day and one-to-one meetings on the second.

The China Logistics Club (CLC) is a network originally established by two Danes, Bo Drewsen and Henrik Christensen. In January last year, they established a separate network to specialise in project cargoes with two other partners. Project cargo involves the transportation of critical, high value or heavy cargo, usually equipment, for projects around the world.

In 14 months, CLC Projects, which allows small and medium-sized shipping companies to come together to compete against larger players, amassed 84 international members.

CLC Projects chairman Bo Drewsen explained that an office for the network was recently established in Sliema to complement the Hong Kong base. He first came to Malta many years ago with his father, a sea captain, and acquired a residence here in 2003.

“It has taken many months to organise the event in Malta but I was keen to hold one of our two annual meetings here this year because I wanted people in the network to see for themselves what Malta has to offer,” Mr Drewsen told The Times Business. “Some participants are based in locations as far-flung as Madagascar, Senegal, and Kazakhstan. Many of the delegates had never travelled to Malta and they are enthusiastic, even though some had to experience lengthy visa procedures. This is an issue the Maltese authorities must look into.”

CLC Projects aspires to be a global leader in project freight forwarding networks and in member-to-member cooperation and hopes to grow by providing value to its members from around the world. It plans to hold its second meeting of the year in Malaysia in October.