Transport Malta has signed a 15-year exclusivity agreement with the Malta Maritime Pilots cooperative enabling it to operate in all of Malta and Gozo's ports.

In return, the cooperative must invest €1.5 million in training and pilot boats over the next five years while retaining the same amount of employment or expanding. It will also participate in the National Emergency Response Training.

Presiding over the signing this afternoon, Transport Minister Austin Gatt pointed out that the government gives no subsidies to the cooperative which began operating in 2007 and became very successful.

During this time there were no serious incidents in any of Malta's ports, thanks in part to the professionalism shown.

Dr Gatt said the cooperative had spent five years responding to the initial scepticism, and were now being rewarded with what they deserve: more confidence and a guarantee of exclusivity.

He pointed out that the industry was changing rapidly and Malta had to respond to these changes. Malta will be receiving larger and more sophisticated boats and cruise liners over the next few years, Dr Gatt said.

The maritime industry, he added, was providing jobs for young people who were able to educate themselves at MCAST's maritime school.