MALTA\\\


Traffic on the high speed catamaran service between Malta and Sicily just goes on increasing, says freight manager, Alan Cordina. “More businesses increasingly appreciate the benefits of our speed, efficiency and frequency. And it is no longer just shippers of perishable products,” he explains. “Previously, the general thought was that most of our customers would be shipping goods like high value, short shelf life perishables and other fresh products. Perishables may well remain the mainstay, but importers of many other kinds of goods have also realized and appreciated the benefits of speed and equally, if not more importantly, the frequency.” Virtu operates Malta’s only high


speed sea service, bringing Sicily within two hours. It has opened up the market in Malta to suppliers on the large Italian island, which has become the sourcing area of choice for many Maltese business people. Freight has increasingly become


an important sector for the service. Unlike passenger and car traffic, demand for cargo is much more


Issue 4 2015 - Freight Business Journal


Speed is of the essence for Virtu Ferries’ customers 21


predictable throughout the year than passenger traffic, which tends to suddenly surge at peak holiday times. Freight vehicles vary from light


vans and smaller trucks, to full size trailers. Courier companies such as TNT also use the ferry for its express service between Europe and Malta, crossing to Sicily via the short-sea crossing across the straits of Messina. Some shippers also use these ‘double crossing’ route to reach markets in southern Italy. Cordina believes that shippers


of all commodities are attracted to Virtu because the faster and more frequent service means that trucks and drivers are tied up for less time, apart from actually delivering urgent cargo faster – perishable or not. Also, it allows stocks to be replenished on a just in time basis, rather than having to build up large stocks in Malta itself. Suffice to say, Virtu has


increased its service frequency, and now operates six days a week even in the winter months, with double daily services on some days. For instance, the Tuesday


Carmelo Caruana acquires Malta Fedex agent


Carmelo Caruana acquired


two Malta-based parcel service providers - Airsped Express and Global Parcels in April. Airsped Express is the island’s nominated service contractor for FedEx Express; Global Parcels is the representative for General Logistics Systems, one of the leading parcel service providers in Europe. Currently based in Paola, the


Airsped Express and Global Parcels teams will move into Carmelo Caruana’s office in Marsa later this year. With Carmelo Caruana as


their parent, Airsped Express and Global parcels become part of the Hili Company, which has transport and logistics operations in Malta, Lithuania and Belarus, as well as


Express Logigroup is a relatively new name on the Maltese freight scene. Based in Hamrun, on the outskirts of Valetta, the company was founded by Jonathan Vella and offers “custom-made solutions even to the most remote locations.” The company’s philosophy is to co-operate throughout Europe


many other interests worldwide. Carmelo Caruana is also the


agent on Malta for CMA CGM and it recently finalised a joint venture agreement with the shipping line to establish CMA CGM Malta Agency. In a statement the company said: “The joint venture solidifies the relationship we began with CMA CGM in 1993 and is a significant opportunity to continue to grow market share. CMA CGM Malta Agency will bear CMA CGM’s branding and will also be housed within Carmelo Caruana’s office.” The joint venture will operate


alongside Carmelo Caruana’s own freight forwarding unit, ship agency, warehousing, and parcel service arms, which remain separate from the new company.


Cooperation is key for Express Logigroup


with other privately operated companies that are independent of large corporations. In addition to regular part and full loads services,


Express Logigroup


offers courier, trade fair logistics, professional


packing, professional consultancy services. home


to home removal services and


logistical


service, which was originally operated only at peak demand periods, has now become a scheduled all year round service. “The market cannot do without the service on that day,” says Cordina. On days on which Virtu


operates a double return trip - now throughout the year - it is possible for a freight operator


to cross from Malta to Sicily on the early


morning Virtu sailing, drop a trailer and pick up another and be back


on Malta by 11:15am – and even do the same again on the second


aſternoon trip, returning the same evening.


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