The Malta Maritime Forum (MMF) has praised the upcoming national budget, while urging the government to establish a dedicated maritime authority and promote initiatives that move freight transport from roads to the sea.
In its statement, the MMF highlighted Malta’s strong maritime position but emphasized the need for “a national authority solely responsible for the maritime sector” to ensure the industry’s long-term growth and sustainability.
The forum said it looks forward to collaborating with authorities on measures that align with a shared vision for the sector – particularly those encouraging a greater shift of cargo transport from road networks to sea routes.
Among its proposals, the MMF expressed support for the introduction of a roll-on/roll-off service connecting the Malta Freeport and Gozo, with possible stops at the Grand Harbour and northern Malta. This service, it said, would help reduce road congestion and pollution while enhancing logistical efficiency.
The forum also welcomed the budget’s attention to “matters of prime maritime importance,” noting that several of its own recommendations – such as continued fuel subsidies, the establishment of a free-trade zone, and the exploration of land reclamation projects – had been acknowledged.
It particularly commended Finance Minister Clyde Caruana’s endorsement of a free-trade zone aimed at positioning Malta as a regional logistics hub, calling the initiative “a strong opportunity to attract investment.”
While cautiously supporting land reclamation, the MMF stressed that such projects must be “grounded in comprehensive studies” addressing maritime safety, environmental impacts, and economic feasibility to ensure they contribute positively to the sector’s development.
This article appeared on the Malta Independent
