The government intends to reform the Malta Maritime Authority (MMA) as it needs to move out of operational matters to focus on being a strong regulator, Transport Minister Austin Gatt said at the inauguration of Valletta Gateway Terminals Ltd's new premises within the Maritime Centre in Floriana on Tuesday.

In the case of cargo handling, as in the case of the cruise liner terminal and other operators in our harbour, the MMA should not operate, but regulate. A change is also required for the financing model of the MMA, so that it will be able to deliver important capital projects with the least burden on central funds.

Dr Gatt pointed out that the concession agreement with Valletta Getaway Terminals Ltd was an important milestone in the reform of Malta's ports. VGT has notably increased activity in the Grand Harbour and has considerably improved cargo handling services, thus becoming one of the most successful privatisation stories.

The minister said VGT fitted in well in the government's vision for the rehabilitation of the Grand Harbour, especially where the increase of quays is planned. The projects in the government's vision for the harbour included the necessary repairs to the breakwater infrastructure, the upgrading of Deep Water Quay, the development and extension of Fuel Wharf and Laboratory Wharf, and the development of Boiler Wharf as a cruise liner berth. The government has allocated €60 million in EU cohesion funds which will be used to implement plans for the development of port infrastructure.

Minister Gatt confirmed that the government wants to reform the Malta Maritime Authority (MMA) as it needs to move out of operational matters to focus on being a strong regulator. In the case of cargo handling, as in the case of the cruise liner terminal and other operators in our harbour, the MMA should not operate, but regulate. A change is also required for the financing model of the MMA, so that it will be able to deliver important capital projects with the least burden on central funds. Minister Gatt said that there was still a lot to be done to create even more wealth through ports. The Port Reform process is ongoing and is intended to streamline costs even further and drive for better service. The regulator itself needs to adjust to the changes and drive government policy so that ports continue to be cradles of wealth and jobs as well as the trade connection to the rest of the world.

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