Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1328236
14.01.2021 5 NEWS THE year 2021 will see Malta Freeport Terminals increase the potential for more work and the creation of more job opportunities. is is thanks to the record investment and the strengthen- ing of Maltese trade in connection with more than 100 harbours worldwide, said the Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri during a visit to the facilities of Malta Freeport Cor- poration. e Minister spoke about the govern- ment's vision for Freeport for the year 2021, which will experience the largest investment of around € 37 million. He also referred to the investment being made in Freeport's operating systems equipped with technology that dimin- ishes environmental impact through a lighting system that allows ships to switch off engines when Freeport is moored. is reduces pollution as well as noise in the port. is investment includes the installa- tion of two modern quay cranes to help manage containers with an investment of €20 million, to be installed by sum- mer 2021. Minister Schembri emphasized the need for a balance between the opera- tion of the Freeport and its support for the community of Birżebbuġa, noting the ongoing work on the supply project for an Onshore Power Supply. With an investment of more than € 12 million, this will be of benefit to the surround- ing residents who will see a lack of emis- sions and noise, currently generated by moored ships. Minister Schembri made reference to the contribution of Freeport to the growth of the country's economy and its key role in keeping local industry receiving raw materials so that Malta's exports do not get affected. He outlined the performance of the year 2020 and explained that although this was challenging on a global level, when comparing the performance of the work at Freeport Malta with that at harbours across the Mediterranean, the indications are encouraging. Statistics show that the total flow for 2020 was of 2.4 million containers. ere were a to- tal of 131 thousand containers that were either local imports or exports in par- ticular from Asia, with a contribution to the local economy of more than € 160 million. He made reference to the work on the construction of a three-storey car park which will be open to Freeport workers, residents of Birżebbuġa and the gener- al public and which will involve an in- vestment of € 3 million from MFC with works scheduled to start from Projects Malta in the first quarter of 2021. He said that the MFC asked Infrastructure Malta to prepare an indicative quota- tion for the necessary repairs on the Medserv pier and part of the Oiltanking pier. e estimate is of € 1.6 million. During this year, the MFC will contin- ue with the environmental monitoring and will financially help non-govern- mental organizations in the community of Birżebbuġa from the fund managed between the MFC and the MFTL. During the visit, the minister met with employees in charge of operational safety, workers in charge of tranship- ments, container handling and freight forwarders and thanked them for their zeal. Freeport employs 1,496 employ- ees. Malta Freeport Corporation CEO Da- vid Magro recalled the Authority's re- sponsibility for security in the Freeport area. He said that in 2020 around € 180k has been invested in terms of security and noted the relentless work with cus- toms. Malta Freeport Terminal CEO Alex Montebello said that despite the eco- nomic difficulties faced by the pandem- ic, Freeport has continued with impor- tant investments through the signing of the contract for the purchase of two quay cranes. He said that Freeport is one of the main pillars of the Maltese economy, having a direct as well as an indirect impact on the economy of our country, while generating the creation of hundreds of jobs. €37 million investment in Freeport operations to further reduce impact on surrounding residents Potential for more work opportunities at Freeport with the strengthening of Maltese trade in more than 100 ports, particularly in Asia