7 minute read
In the News
Sabrina Zahra
As from this edition of T-21, we are introducing this new section with the latest news updates covering events and other news items which took place over the last few weeks and which are relevant to the transportation sector and related infrastructure.
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Online Services in relation to yacht and boat registration under the Valletta Registry, as of Monday 15th March 2021.
In an effort to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Transport Malta has implemented measures to provide online services in relation to yacht and boat registration under the Valletta Registry. These services include:
• Renewal of the Certificate of Registry • Provisional and permanent registration • Transfer of Ownership • Any other ancillary services
All payments are to be made by Debit or Credit Card. All yacht and boat owners, including fishing vessels, are to make any requests for services under the Valletta Registry by email on shipreg.tm@transport.gov.mt. Alternatively, customers may wish to call on +356 21250360 for the appropriate guidance on the nature of service required.
New arrangements for the Extension for the Validity of Driver Permits and Driver Tag
As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in order to reduce the length of time for the renewal of Driver Permits and Driver Tag, and since there is a need for related verifications from tertiary entities before these are renewed, Transport Malta is making arrangements so that any driver permit and driver tag which expired on the 1st of December 2020 or after, regardless of the expiry date which is found on the tag, shall still be valid and will automatically be extended until the 31st of October 2021.
This means that everyone who holds this type of permit may still be able to operate in the coming months. In spite of this, Transport Malta will still be renewing Driver Permits and Driver Tag upon receiving the necessary verifications explained above.
All the terms, conditions and obligations established in the Passenger Transport Services Regulations, Taxi Services Regulations and Light Passenger Transport Services and Vehicle Hire Services Regulations shall be applicable to holders of these Driver Permits and Driver Tags.
This arrangement has been made with the coming into force of the 2021 Regulations regarding the Extension of the Validity of Driver Permits and Driver Tag.
Government Commitment on the Aviation Industry
Hon. Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Dr. Ian Borg, said that the Government is committed towards the Aviation Industry and is encouraging youths to consider taking up careers within the Industry. He said this during the launch of the Second Edition of the publication Aviation Malta, which took place on the 21st of February this year, on the premises of the Avion Group where amongst other commercial activities, operates a flight simulator designed on the Airbus A320, the most used aircraft in the World, and which have been installed in Malta since 2018. Aviation Malta is a yearly publication specialising in the Aviation Sector and in this edition, with the collaboration of Transport Malta and the Directorate for Civil Aviation, Government has spelled out its commitment and vision for the sector.
c. Rodrick Zerafa Framework Contact signed between the CAAi and Transport Malta
London, United Kingdom. Tuesday 19th January 2021 – CAA International (CAAi), the technical cooperation arm of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA), has been formally awarded an extensive framework contract to deliver flight simulator training device (FSTD) evaluations and training services to the Civil Aviation Directorate of Transport Malta.
The two-year contract will provide Transport Malta with access to a wider range of regulatory capabilities to support the rapid growth in Malta’s International Aircraft Register – 9H.
Present for the signing were Ms Maria Rueda, Managing Director of CAAi and Captain Charles Pace, Director General for the Civil Aviation Directorate in Transport Malta. The framework contract is valid as from November 2020.
On the 18th of January, the Civil Aviation Directorate within Transport Malta has issued its first Remote Pilot Licences. Remote pilots may apply to sit for Remote Pilot Examinations, for both the A1/ A3 as well as the A2 subcategories, on the TM-CAD – IDRONECT. Some testimonials from our first set of candidates include:
– Stephen Wellman
“Applying and sitting for the exam was quite straight forward. All COVID-related protocols were taken care of during the examination time. Overall, it must be ensured that all drone pilots operating in Malta need to pass some exams ensuring they know at least some health and safety measures for both themselves and other third parties, and also know basic aviation rules and policies with which one must abide to whilst flying.”
– Julian Vella
“It is a straightforward multiple-choice exam which relates directly to flying drones and knowledge of your equipment and surroundings. Studying for this exam makes you understand that when flying drones, we have to follow certain rules for the safety of any manned aircraft, uninvolved people, and even the subjects that we film.”
– Jurgen Aquilina
The First Academy for Drone Operators Launched
Earlier this year, the first academy specialising in training for Drone Operators was launched at the Hibernians Stadium in Kordin. The training will take place during the times when the stadium is not used for football training and matches, and the facility was made available after an agreement was reached between the Malta Drone Centre and the Hibernians Football Club. The Malta Drone Centre is also the first commercial company to be awarded an operating licence to offer training on drone remote flying. Until now, there are more than 1,000 persons that registered their drone with Transport Malta. Amongst others, the launch of the Academy was also attended to by Hon. Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Dr Ian Borg, as well as by Hon Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development, Dr Miriam Dalli. Abandoned traditional Maltese Luzzu donated for restoration
Transport Malta has donated an abandoned traditional Maltese Luzzu to the Cottonera Foundation. The vessel was recovered from wreckage and was put up for sale but with no success. Instead of disposing of it, the Authority donated the vessel to the Foundation, in order to be restored. Once restored, the Foundation intends to give the vessel to the Kalkara Local Council to be placed as an attraction in the locality.
This traditional Luzzu is among other abandoned vessels being lifted from the local waters. The Authority continues striving towards a better environment by removing wreckage and abandoned oil rigs.
We are all connected to the sea so let’s protect it and enjoy it.
c. DOI - Clifton Grech Speed Cameras in Triq il‑Kosta
Transport Malta has approved the installation of four speed cameras, two on each side of Triq il-Kosta. The signs indicating speed cameras have been installed whilst plans to install the speed cameras are in an advanced stage.
This road has seen many terrible accidents as well as deaths. Because of this, a study to identify the locations where these accidents happened the most was carried out. The speed cameras shall be installed in these black spots.
Biggest ever grants package for sustainable mobility launched
On the 8th of April 2021, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Project, Hon. Dr. Ian Borg announced and launched the largest package of transport financial grants and incentives ever awarded, through Transport Malta. The objective behind these grants is to further promote sustainable mobility and sustainable modes of transport. See the full story and details on these grants on page 8 2.
Link to applications:
https://www.transport.gov.mt/.../ transport‑schemes‑2021‑4647
https://www.gov.mt/.../ Pages/2021/April/08/ pr210668en.aspx
c. Omar Camilleri
Marsa Junction Project Official Inauguration
The Marsa Junction Project, the biggest road project to date implemented by Infrastructure Malta, was officially inaugurated on Thursday the 15th of April by Prime Minister Dr Robert Abela and Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Dr Ian Borg.
c. DOI - Darren Agius
Hon Minister Dr. Ian Borg and Chairman and CEO of TM, Mr Joseph Bugeja presenting the 2021 grants for greener vehicles.
c. Pierre Sammut
The project, which cost 70 million euros to complete include 12 kilometres of uninterrupted lanes which are separated at three levels. The lanes have created creating direct northbound and southbound connections between Triq Aldo Moro, Vjal Sir Paul Boffa, Vjal Santa Lucija, Triq Giuseppe Garibaldi and Triq il-Marsa (to Qormi). Alongside the lanes, approximately 3.5 kilometres of passageways have been erected to allow pedestrians easy access to the Adollorata Cemetery. The walkways also serve as cycle lanes, allowing cyclists a reliable route to travel through Marsa. Speeches for the occasion were also given by Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, and Infrastructure Malta Chief Executive Officer Fredrick Azzopardi.
