More berthing spaces for yachts this summer

Malta has maintained its ground as an attractive berthing destination to  various seafaring visitors. Touring the various marinas available round the islands, one can witness the magnificent site of various marinas bursting with activity.

This year Transport Malta launched further new sites for mooring or seasonal/temporary marinas in Ta' Xbiex and Kalkara together with the site operated by the Royal Malta Yacht Club. In fact the main emphasis by Transport Malta was to privatize the existing yacht marinas and to identify new areas for the development of yacht marinas by the private sector. This has yielded better and more facilities for the boating community.

TM had in fact issued calls for proposals for the management of the temporary yacht marinas/organised mooring areas (Ta Xbiex, Kalkara, Sliema) and concluded a concession agreement with the chosen operators.  The privatization of the permanent yacht marinas was carried out by the Privatisation Unit. The concession agreements involve only the management of the marinas and do not include the transfer of land or property ownership title.

All concession agreements include provisions for the upgrading of the marinas, including the installation of new pontoons and modern services and facilities – water, electricity, security, safety, health and waste management.  Some of the new marina operators were also obliged to carry out embellishment of the surrounding areas.

Malta currently offers six  permanent marinas at  Msida, Ta’ Xbiex, Gozo, Portomaso, Manoel Island and the Grand Harbour and these cater for the various sizes of yachts and small ships which can range from 16 metres to 100 metres in length. Statistics show a steady increase in the number of berthing places from 1,511 in 2009 to 1,904 in the current year.

Plans for a new yacht marina at Sa Maison have been submitted to MEPA together with an Environmental Impact Statement. The proposed marina will provide 310 new berths and TM is expecting the EIA and planning processes to be concluded by MEPA in the coming months.