PN call for inquiry into missing vessel

The Nationalist Party has called for a public inquiry into the case whereby a cargo vessel made its way outside of Maltese waters last Tuesday despite being issued with two arrest warrants.

As reported in various media, the Madra was the subject of two arrest warrants brought forward by Cassar Fuels and Shipoll – an Italian shipping firm. The warrants were made on August 18th and 19th, claiming that the company that owned the vessel owed them a combined sum of €220,000.

By the time the AFM were alerted to the vessel’s escape, it was only three miles short of the border with international waters.

In a statement drafted this morning by party spokespersons, Jason Azzopardi and Toni Bezzina, the PN explained that this was not the first time that such an incident had occurred. On April 30th, an arrest warrant was issued by a Liberian-registered company on the MT Atlantik. In this instance, the company claimed that it was owed €900,000.

According to the PN, these incidents are a result of government’s decision to side-line competent persons from authoritative positions within the AFM and replace them with others lacking the necessary competence.

It said that a public inquiry should be held with all witnesses giving evidence under oath.