All pilotage services in all of Malta’s and Gozo’s ports will be delivered by MMP.
The Malta Maritime Pilots Cooperative signed a 15-year exclusivity agreement with Transport Malta, extending the current contract between the two parties, and enabling the cooperative to operate all pilotage services in Malta’s and Gozo’s ports in the next 15 years.
In return, the cooperative will 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 pointed out that the industry was changing rapidly and Malta had to respond to these changes. Malta will be receiving larger and more sophisticated ships and cruise liners over the next few years.
