Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has insisted that Europe must ensure that any changes to the current legal framework do not threaten the livelihood of Member States’ shipping sectors, making them less competitive on a global level.

Speaking at a European Maritime Day event last night at Villa Francia, Dr Muscat said competition and the international dimension of shipping always poses the possibility that ship owners can out-flag their fleets. For Malta this is something that was seen as being part of the normal business cycle, as long as decisions were based on a level playing field.

"We ourselves and the European shipping industry generally, are faced with strong competition from third-country registers that continue to improve their product. This is why Europe must stand for competitiveness, and not bureaucracy."

The prime minister said the review of the Guidelines on State Aid to Maritime Transport had produced positive effects across Member States for the shipping industry, the wider maritime cluster, and for the overall economy of the European Union. The success of these guidelines had been acknowledged by the European Commission. The continuation of these Guidelines, "without any additional restrictions," was imperative.

It was necessary to maintain the current framework, which had allowed Member States to act on a level playing-field vis-à-vis global competition.

"Let me be very clear. Introducing further restrictions would result in a serious risk of out-flagging and the loss of maritime investments. This would not only be bad for Malta. It would be bad for Europe. It would be a slap in the face of Blue Growth."

Dr Muscat said Malta attached importance to a safe, secure and sustainable cruise-liner industry.  The government was committed to continue investing in the industry in line with its policy for economic growth.

In this context, in the coming weeks, the government would be launching an international call for Expressions of Interest for the development of a new cruise liner terminal in Gozo.

"We are certain that Gozo will provide not only an excellent business opportunity but also a vibrant new destination for the mainstream cruise-liner industry," he said.