ISSUE 1 2010

MALTA Supported by

Far East giant boosts Sullivan Shipping

Sullivan Shipping is another local liner agency that has benefited from a new direct service into Malta by a line it represents, in this case Hanjin. The Korean- owned carrier started direct calls in June 2008, and now commands a very large share of the market between the Far East and Malta, says Sullivan’s chief financial officer, Matthew Sullivan. “This was achieved through

a consistently high level of services and competitive freight

rates, maintained also during the difficult economic times.” He adds: “We’re also very happy with Hanjin’s level of service, which they’ve maintained in a difficult market. The import market for secondhand cars in containers has been strong (Japan drives on the left, like Malta) CMA CGM however remain

much bigger overall in Malta thanks to its diversity of service. Sullivan Shipping also has a

partnership with German-owned Logwin Logistics, which enables it to offer attractive rates to range of other countries. Matthew Sullivan adds:

“There are a large number of players within the market and we have seen in recent years a number of new, perhaps smaller players setting up niche business and competing with the traditional Maltese family- owned shipping companies. But from the consumer and the local

maritime industry point of view, the more lines calling Malta the better and this is in our view what the local shipping community should try and promote. We at Sullivan Shipping strongly believe, perhaps even to the detriment of our market share, that we should support each other in attracting more lines to call in Malta. This will enable local operators to make more investments in port facilities and ensure that Malta maintains its

position in the forefront of the maritime world.” CMA CGM may be the largest

operator in the Freeport, but this has not shut out other lines. “We are very supportive of the work and investments being done by the Malta Freeport as well as other private operators such as VGT, Tug Malta, the pilots’ cooperative and others. With privatisation of a number of these, and in particular with the Freeport being purchased by one

of the largest cargo lines, sceptics thought that the investment would be centred on their own business and interest. “However this has not been the

case and they have contributed towards that growth of the local maritime industry and continue to make large investments to support and attract further growth - and is also enhanced by the the policies and supervisory role by the local maritime authorities.”

31

Concorde offers local service

Maltese international haulier Concorde has started its own in-house local collection and delivery service in Malta to improve customer service. It has acquired a fleet

of four suitable trucks and drivers and is now handling collections and deliveries itself, instead of handing them to subcontractors. Group operations executive

Gordon Caruana explains: “The company did some homework and came to the conclusion that it would reduce costs – and it also gives us much more control.” It means that Concorde can

plan its international trailers in and out of the island with much more confidence, and it also greatly reduces the

potential for unreported damage to consignments. “And it has the added bonus that the client sees a Concorde truck delivering or picking up from their door,” adds Mr Caruana. The new service is an

adjunct to Concorde’s own international services – the company has no plans to enter the domestic Maltese market. Otherwise, it is pretty much

business as usual on Concorde’s main regular trailer services to Europe, though some business has suffered in the recession. The island market is not

so much the problem, but rather some of the mainland European countries on which Maltese hauliers often rely for return loads to northern Europe. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36