The Malta Maritime Forum was launched during a briefing session the Malta Shortsea Promotion Centre (MSPC) had with Transport Minister Joe Mizzi and Tranport Malta chairman and CEO James Piscopo. The MSPC comprises 24 local entities, including ship owners, port terminals, ship repair yards, unions, associations and private companies.
It has long been felt that at a local level there was a dire need for the setting up of a common platform to coordinate the efforts, aspirations and challenges faced by the various sectors that make up the Malta maritime industry.
This is what the forum aims to achieve. Its main objectives are to promote and defend the interests of the various maritime sectors and to assist in the development of new maritime activities.
Emphasis is being laid on bridging between the industry and the academic to ensure that the local maritime industry develops solid foundations for correct path development.
The maritime industry in Malta is so important that it cannot afford to lag behind when it comes to standards and professionalism. The marketing of the Malta flag, the development of the Malta Freeport Terminal and the success registered by Valletta Cruise Port cannot be left to chance.
The aim of the forum is to act as a constituted body so as to consult and be consulted by the government in the development of public policies that can have a bearing on Malta’s maritime industry.
The minister was also briefed on the pro-active approach that the members were taking. He noted that although progress had been registered, there still remained inefficiencies and unnecessary bureaucracy that had to be tackled and eliminated.
He agreed that through the support Transport Malta had given to this initiative, the forum would make a counter balance for the same authority so that progress was achieved through constant consultation.