Tug Malta announces 11.5% increase in towage tariffs

This increase is being implemented in terms of the Harbour Towage Agreement, 2006, which allows Tug Malta Ltd, as the provider of towage services, to request a revision in the tariffs every two years in order to recover the inflationary increases associated with providing the service and investment costs as approved by the Authority.  

Transport Malta said the increase in tariff primarily relates to Tug Malta’s €10.7 million investment in a new, modern tug boat. "The new tug called ‘Spinola’ will allow Malta to be better prepared to cater for the continuous increase in the size of vessels being handled in Maltese ports, in particular at the Malta Freeport. The increase in towage tariffs also covers the inflationary costs incurred by Tug Malta during the past two years.  The tariffs will be introduced in two phases with  50% of the increase being introduced on the 1st of July 2010 and 50% on the 1st of January 2011."

Transport Malta said the increase in towage tariffs should not affect Cruise Liners as, under normal circumstances, cruise liners do not use towage services.