Time for Consolidation and Reform

Over the last few weeks, Transport Malta was put under the media’s spotlight, on several occasions almost every week. Some of these occasions highlighted important achievements that were accomplished, such as those registered by our Civil Aviation Directorate as well as the Maritime and Shipping Directorate. Other events that hit the news, however, were not as compelling, to say the least.

Notwithstanding this, however, I feel it is important that events such as the latter are mentioned and acknowledged just the same, even if they do not make us proud. Referring to and writing only about our achievements is not enough if we want to be true to ourselves and move forward.

The time that has passed since the challenge to take Transport Malta forward was bestowed upon me is too short to have taken the necessary steps and put in place the necessary changes required to address current issues and shortcomings which have developed throughout the years. This is not an excuse in any shape or form, nor a justification for what has been done or not so far. In November of last year, Government had publicly announced that a task force was being set up to come up with recommendations on the possibility of dismantling the Authority into a number of separate authorities, similar to how the situation was prior to the setup of Transport Malta in the first place, 11 years ago.

Before Transport Malta, the country had three separate transport related authorities; the Malta Maritime Authority (MMA), the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) and the Authority for Land Transport (ADT), which within it included the Roads Department, later to shoot out as the separate agency Infrastructure Malta. Back then, it was a big

task and months of logistical and legal planning to bring these three institutions together under one umbrella shaping what Transport Malta is today.

Disentangling the Authority back to its former routes, that is, into separate authorities, proved to be a mammoth task to say the least, especially when considering a number of issues, such as human resources, logistics and the financial side, especially from the current financial system in place, not to forget the capital needed to set up the respective authorities from scratch.

In view of this, however, we are looking at a general reform of the Authority, consolidating what is working and continuing to reap the positive results we are getting, while carrying out the necessary reforms and changes which are much needed to address any shortcomings currently in place. We will make sure that the Authority is streamlined to carry out its regulatory functions as intended, while in the meantime continuing to assist Government with suggested policy proposals which are of a technical nature, as already outlined in the current legislation. We will also strive to continue with the work being done with regard to both our maritime and aviation registries, which are both going to new heights with the work being carried out by the two respective directorates: the Merchant Shipping Directorate and the Civil Aviation Directorate. As I mentioned in my contribution in the last edition of T-21, we are also looking at a number of basic centralised structures and services which will eventually be put in place, such as basic legal services, an internal audit structure, a centralised procurement system, as well as a financial system which suits a reformed authority and its respective directorates.

We are also looking at plans on how to streamline and reorganise our Enforcement Directorate, which is the main arm of the Authority to enforce the regulatory aspect of transport legislation. We are also going through plans to reorganise the Land Transport Directorate.

After a long process through which we rolled out free public transport for all Tallinja Card holders, as the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects already made public in Parliament last November, we are currently also undertaking another study to establish the financial feasibility of the proposed Malta Metro project launched by the Government in November of last year.

This is not an easy task and such reform will not be carried by taking shortcuts, but by taking the necessary time to make sure that the Authority is put on solid foundations to face challenges in the coming years.

Looking at 2023 with Optimism

Kevin Farrugia Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer Transport Malta

At this moment in time, Transport Malta is undergoing a silent metamorphosis, one which has long been needed and required. Past events have shown us the importance and the need to carry out the changes required to take the Authority forward, and our aim is to conclude such a process throughout the next year.

Throughout this year, we have witnessed a number of road accidents which were higher than usual, a situation which must be addressed as soon as possible. This will be carried out by a review and update of our transport regulations and legislation currently in place, and bring it in line with the needs of the present. Undoubtedly, our legislation and regulations need to be more effective, and in some ways act as a deterrent for road users to abide by, while in parallel putting in place the necessary safety measures to bring down the number of accidents and ensure not only more discipline on our roads, but also respect for one another.

Despite the efforts carried out by the Authority over the last few years to step up its presence on our roads, it is clearly evident that the Authority on its own and safer infrastructure are not enough, and apart from the fact that we are looking at ways in which not only to continue with this strategy but to step it up further, it is evident that such efforts need to be accompanied by changes in the regulations to make them more effective in our quest to keep road safety as one of our priorities.

At the moment we are also looking at how we will reform our Enforcement Directorate, a process which was started this summer and which will continue until we come up with the right balance required to make it more effective, including its organisational setup, additional units, an internal control structure and, finally, additional assets to make our enforcement more effective.

As usual, during this time of year, we will also step up our promotion towards road safety, and the negative consequences that driving under the influence can bring to oneself, family and close friends, as well as to third parties.

To assist in this effort, over the last few months we stepped up our efforts both in Malta and in Gozo to carry out inspections on vehicles while making sure that drivers have the necessary documents in place, including driving licences and insurance policies, apart from roadside emission inspection tests, which were also carried out throughout the day to make sure that we did our part towards cleaner air.

Speaking of clean air, next year will also mark a milestone in providing clean air to residents living in the inner harbour area, once commissioning of the first phase of the Shore to Ship technology is carried out by Infrastructure Malta to Transport Malta through the Grand Harbour Clean Air Project. The technology being put in place will enable berthing vessels in the port to switch off their engines and take their power from the national electricity grid. This was the second major development in the Grand Harbour area since the dismantling of the exMarsa Power Station.

These initiatives also follow the promotion of electromobility that Transport Malta has been carrying out since 2014, with pilot projects, implementing solar led EV charging projects, and above all promoting and managing Government grants to further promote the uptake of electric vehicles and pedelecs, amongst others.

In the News

JULY

Digitalisation of Malta Ship Register Operations

The Merchant Shipping Directorate is launching a Preliminary Market Consultation in view of an ongoing project to digitalise the operations of the Malta Ship Register. Interested parties are invited to attend an information meeting to be held on 27/07/2022. Any feedback provided by participants during or after the meeting, shall feed into the eventual procurement of a Vessel Management System; a digital platform which will expand the functions currently offered by the electronic register of ships as adopted by the Malta Flag Administration. Relevant Information may be obtained by looking up PMC002/2022 on the Government Procurement Portal.

AUGUST

First edition of Malta Maritime Awards

The first Malta Maritime Awards to be held during the Malta Maritime Summit will be held in Malta next October. The Maritime Awards will serve as a platform to recognise the hard work and dedication of those individuals and companies that have contributed to the establishment of Malta as a centre of maritime excellence.

Skolasajf second session in Fgura

The Risk Management, Policy and EU Affairs Department of Transport Malta, together with the Enforcement Department, Land and Maritime Directorates, are currently organising four half day interactive hands-on workshops with FES SkolaSajf Centres. The second session has been held at Fgura Primary School, where a team from Transport Malta had the opportunity to deliver talks and interact with students of all ages attending the centre on different means of sustainable transport. The main topics covered were Electromobility, Walking and Cycling, Enforcement and Maritime Transport.

KTAIP Project Underway

Transport Malta is currently working in a joint effort with Infrastructure Malta coordinating the transportation of the steel beams to be used for the KTAIP project from Birżebbuġa to Vjal L-Avjazzjoni. Transport Malta is providing assistance in escorting this heavy cargo safely to its location and coordinating road diversions with the help of the enforcement team. Monaco Yacht Show 2022

The Malta Ship Registry within Transport Malta will once again be representing our country during the Monaco Yacht Show, which will be organised between 28th September and 1st October. Therefore, we are drawing the attention of those interested in attending, that like previous years we have a limited number of ‘Daily Passes’ which will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis. We encourage you to send your requests for these tickets to mershipmalta.tm@transport.gov.mt.

Mobility Ambassadors Programme

Originally an offshoot of Innocap Project, the Transport Mobility Ambassador Programme run by the Sustainable Mobility Team within the Risk Management, Policy and EU Affairs Department of Transport Malta, seeks to promote role model students who are ambitious about encouraging the uptake and use of cleaner and alternative modes of transportation. Participants will be invited to monthly discussions at Transport Malta and welcomed to join during the various activities organised by the Authority.

Amerigo Vespucci arrives in Malta

The Grand Harbour went back in time today as the Italian Navy vessel Amerigo Vespucci sailed into the Maltese port. Nicknamed ‘the most beautiful vessel in the world’, it will be in Malta for the next two days. Transport Malta remains committed to organise such port calls and keep building on the good reputation of our maritime industry. MCAST Teen Summer Camp Sustainable Mobility Talk

Ms Laura Sue Mallia from within the Risk Management, Policy and EU Affairs Department of Transport Malta, was invited to join the MCAST Teen Summer Camp to provide a talk on Sustainable and Alternative Mobility and present a Mobility Challenge which students will now be working on over the next two days. The Challenge, from part of the Young Innovators Programme being put forward in conjunction with Climate-KIC, invites all participants to think outside the box and propose more climate friendly options and solutions to our transport system.

Skolasajf third session in Pembroke

The Risk Management, Policy, and EU Affairs Department of Transport Malta, together with the Enforcement Department, Land and Maritime Directorates, are currently organising four half day interactive hands-on workshops with FES SkolaSajf Centres. The third session was held at the Pembroke Skolasajf centre, where once again a team from Transport Malta had the opportunity to deliver talks and interact with the students attending the centre on different means of sustainable transport, such as Walking and Cycling, Electromobility, Public Transport, Maritime Transport and Enforcement at sea. Two lucky students once again went home with a brand new bicycle and helmet, after they had taken part in a Mobility Challenge.