The potential for further growth in the maritime industry will be under the spotlight of a new committee, tasked to draft an integrated maritime strategy by next year.

Parliamentary Secretary Edward Zammit Lewis who chairs this committee this morning announced that the aim is to have a sustainable and holistic approach. He said that the blue economy which includes shipping, ferry services, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, oil exploration and port services are crucial to our economy.

Dr Zammit Lewis remarked that Malta’s maritime register is now the largest in Europe and seventh largest worldwide, but there is still room for improvement especially in the decision making process.

A series of consultation meetings with major stakeholders will be held prior to presenting the policy document for Cabinet’s approval.

The committee will also serve as an advisory board for the Parliamentary Secretary.

The committee members are Paulanne Mamo, Ian Cilia Pisani, Glorianne Borg, Michelle Borg, Andria Buhagiar, Andrew Buhagiar, Albert Caruana, Randall Caruana, Nadine Castillo, Elaine Cutajar, Suzanne Gauci, David Kerr, Andrew Mallia, Maria Pia Pace, Ivan Sammut and Godwin Sant.