We have recently read about the decline in cruise ships calling at our Valletta harbour.

Our Prime Minister keeps telling us that our country is coming out of the worldwide recession and everything possible has to be done to fight it. However, other ministerial offices are not bothered and they are imposing higher tariffs to the detriment of the trade.

Instead of doing more, Transport Malta has recently published new port-related tariffs with some already in force and others applying from next January. These port dues will certainly hit the cruise liner industry. As a practical example, a liner having a capacity of about 3,400 passengers on board up to December 2010 pays €559.19 while effective January 2011 it will pay €1,286.14, which represents a substantial increase.

Besides the increase in port dues, owners have also noted another high cost on pilotage fees especially on those cruise liners which exceed 300 metres in length, as our port authorities had approved the new pilotage tariffs whereby two pilots are to board a liner in excess of 300 metres, with additional costs amounting to €1,344.

Other recent developments are not helping the guests who visit us during their short stay in Malta. They now have an extra 300 metres to walk from the quay to reach the exit gate, which of course causes them an inconvenience. Complaints have been made to the authorities concerned but to no avail.

I feel that unless we implement the motto "Together we do more", our cruising industry will further give owners the possibility to look at Mediterranean ports elsewhere.