Government to issue international EOI for Gozo cruise liner terminal next week

The Maltese government will be launching an international Expression of Interest for the development of a new cruise liner terminal in Gozo.

This was announced by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this evening, who, together with wife Michelle, is hosting a dinner at Villa Francia in occasion of European Maritime Day.

"We are certain that Gozo will provide not only an excellent business opportunity but also a vibrant new destination for the mainstream cruise liner industry," Muscat told European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs Maria Damanki.

Muscat said that for Europe's blue economy to be successful, Europe had to recognize that globalization, interdependency, interconnectivity as well as safe and secure conditions are influential factors for the transport of goods and movement of people.

"Europe must ensure that any changes to the current legal framework do not threaten the livelihood of member states' shipping sectors, making them less competitive on a global level," the Prime Minister said.

He warned that competition and international dimension of shipping always poses the possibility that ship owner can out flag their fleets.

"For Malta, this is something we accept as being part of the normal business cycle, if decisions are based on a level playing field. We are very positive about the service we offer and if such competition is based on quality, and not on artificial restrictions, we are sure we will not only survive but we will achieve greater success."

Muscat stressed that Europe must stand for competitiveness and not red tape: "Both Malta and the European shipping industry are faced with strong competition from third-country registers that continue to improve their product. We cannot allow red tape to hinder our competitiveness."

The Prime Minister also said Malta believed the success of the Guidelines on State Aid to Maritime Transport hinged on maintaining the current framework and its continuation.

"Introducing further restrictions would result in a serious of out-flagging and the loss of maritime investments. This would be bad for Malta, bad for Europe and a slap in the face of blue growth," he warned.

On her part, the European Commissioner described Malta as being the natural hub for blue growth, with the devotion and good relations with neighbours to improve its competitiveness.

She said, she wanted to listen to the stakeholders in the Maltese industry as the Commission had "a lot to learn" from them.

The sixth edition of the European Maritime Day is taking place in Malta, where around 900 persons are expected to take part in tomorrow's conference at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.