An international expression of interest to convert Marsa’s former shipbuilding facility into an international maritime hub was launched yesterday.

The site, which measures around 175,000 square metres, will include quays, berths and piers, according to Investment Minister Chris Cardona.

The land for the project, which may be awarded whole or in segments, will be leased for 45 years.

During a press conference, Dr Cardona said the hub will offer support services in ship management and agency, finance insurance and maritime legal and arbitration services.

It would promote research and development in maritime and marine studies, marine engineering and maritime information technology.

He said it would help to attract a wide range of activities from the sector and this would ensure EU targets were reached.

It would create more jobs and the Government recognised the need to further invest in more employees in the technical, administrative and legal field, the minister added.

“The Government is going to give this sector priority and ensure there is a stronger connection between the educating institutions and people with the required skills,” Dr Cardona said.

The Government would not finance the project in any way, Dr Cardona said.

The documents will be available from the Privatisation Unit between June 5 and 28 and the closing date for submissions is August 5.

The expression for interest will also be advertised on international publications such as The Economist and Lloyd’s List, among others.

The now-defunct shipbuilding facility formed part of the state-owned Malta Shipyards before the Government started privatising the company in 2009.

Malta Shipyards was at the time split into four separate units and the shipbuilding facility was the only one that was not privatised after Government deemed the bids to be inadequate.

The sprawling facility occupies a prime seafront location in Grand Harbour.