MALTA\\\


Freeport closes in on the 3m teu mark


Last year was was another


record breaker for Malta Freeport Terminals with 2.9 million teu handled, an increase of 5.5% when compared with 2013’s 2.75 million teu. Around 96% of the traffic handled was for transhipment and the remaining 4% domestic cargo. However it should be noted that although Malta Freeport Terminals is a transhipment hub, the Freeport plays a very key role in the local industry and is currently handling around 80% of the local imports and exports. During 2014, Malta Freeport


attracted two mega alliances – 2M (Maersk Line and MSC) and Ocean Three (CMA CGM, UASC and China Shipping) who chose Malta Freeport Terminals as their central Mediterranean hub. “This was no mean feat for the company to be able to attract these two major alliances,” said Malta Freeport Terminals. Nevertheless, the operator “has a challenging period ahead of it since these alliances will be analysing closely the Freeport’s performance to ensure that the company effectively delivers the high level of service expected by these key players within the container industry.” The new alliances have


strengthened Malta Freeport’s accessibility and it is now offering a total of 18 weekly mainline


services, which are complemented by an extensive number of weekly feedering services. A total of 124 ports all across the globe can now be reached from Malta, over 70 of them in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. On the technical


front, this


year Malta Freeport Terminals will start implementing the Navis N4 Terminal Operating System which is already widely used by other international ports. It describes the system, which is expected to be operational by next year, as “a sophisticated and modern technology platform which will optimise efficiency and strengthen the intelligent movement of cargo through container terminals.” It will support future growth


of the Freeport while reducing operational overheads and maintaining customer-focused services. It is very maintainable and adaptable and will give the Freeport the flexibility and scalability it needs to run its operations efficiently in a highly competitive marketplace. During 2014 Malta Freeport


placed an order for four quayside cranes capable of effectively handling 18,000 teu or larger vessels; they are expected to be delivered in October 2015 with commissioning scheduled for


the end of the year. Three will be placed on Terminal One North Quay and one on Terminal Two North Quay. Malta Freeport will be the only hub in the Mediterranean with two berths capable of handling 18,000 teu vessels. Crane beams and quayside crane rail on Terminal One North Quay have been extended by 360 metres. The company is also developing


its hinterland by an additional 30,000 m2 to expand further the Terminal One yard area to create an additional 1,000 ground slots, to complement the increased berthing facilities which will be available at both terminals. The Freeport is also in the final


stages of completing the dredging works of Terminal One West Quay to 13 metres aſter this berth was extended to 290m. Other planned investment


programmes are expected to further increase the capacity of Malta Freeport from 3.5 million teu to 4.2 million teu. These include Terminal Two North Quay Extension, development of a container stacking yard on Terminal One, a ‘Distripark’ facility, an off-dock container yard expansion creating an additional 2,000 ground slots, purchase of two super post-Panamax quayside cranes and development of new engineering facilities.


Issue 4 2015 - Freight Business Journal Going out with a bang?


Hollywood stars have been in short supply at Malta Freeport since Tom Hanks paid a visit to film part of Captain Philips a couple of years ago. But part of an episode of the UK TV Programme ‘Apocalypse Slough’ was recently filmed


there, starring Rob


Rowe. It is described as “a bold, adrenaline-fuelled comedy drama about the last days of mankind - boasting a relentlessly


entertaining mix of action, adventure, romance and wit set against a backdrop of apocalyptic chaos.” The story follows an eclectic


group of seemingly unconnected characters around the world as their lives start to intersect in the most unexpected ways. All triggered by the cheerful news that a comet is on an unavoidable collision course towards Earth.


Oldies, fat ladies and a stolen sword


Transpak’s regular business are personal effects for people settling in Malta, explains owner William Vella. The island’s climate is a big attraction, especially for South Africans and residents of countries where the social and political climate is however becoming a little too hot. While Malta does have its own social problems, it is still a haven in a troubled world, for many people. It has also long been popular


with Brits, mostly of retirement age. To some extent, this is a two-way traffic, Vella explains. Some people return to the UK when faced with the need to seek out a retirement home, which are in very short supply on Malta. The need for medical care also forces some people to return to Blighty. Transpak’s other main business


is moving artworks to and from Malta. At present, it is in the processing of sending 27 ancient tapestries to a specialist restorer in Belgium, in time for when Malta becomes European Capital of Culture in 2018, when they will displayed in all their glory in the St John’s co-cathedral. The 6.2 x 6.7 metre silk tapestries, which date from the time of the Knights of Malta, need special handling and packing and are being transported in chartered Belgian military aircraſt. Another Maltese cultural


artefact that is on its travels - thanks to Transpak - is one of the island’s ‘fat lady’ sculptures. (No one has in fact ever conclusively sexed them.) It is one of large collection of similar statues that normally reside in National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta


and are incredibly


ancient, dating from even before Phoenician times. One though has been chosen to go on tour and will be displayed in the Coliseum Museum in Rome, courtesy of Transpak. More artworks are due to come


into Malta, for an exhibition on the Great Siege in October. There are hopes that the French will temporarily return


the Sword


of Jean La Valette, purloined by Napoleon over 200 years ago. But they can be expected to keep a close eye on it to ensure that it returns back to Paris when the show is over – just in case any Maltese patriots get ideas.


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