Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1512734
11 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 3 DECEMBER 2023 THE Malta Maritime Forum held its Progress Meeting for members on 1 December where the maritime commu- nity heard how, over the past months, the Forum has been engaged in solid representa- tions aimed at seeking solu- tions to the serious business and carbon leakage issues which emanated from design flaws in the implementation mechanisms of the EU ETS Directive on Shipping. The risks arise from the fact that the EU has limited juris- diction on enforcing the Di- rective outside its shores and subsequently, transhipment activity is set to shift from established EU Mediterrane- an ports to new and existing hubs in North Africa where capacity is being significant- ly enhanced through new in- vestment. Chairman Godwin Xerri, Vice-Chairman Alex Monte- bello; and CEO Kevin J Borg explained how the Forum engaged in relentless discus- sions with Government, the Opposition, the EU Institu- tions, Maltese Social Partners and Industry Associations in the EU on the matter. Besides ETS, Xerri ex- plained how the Forum was engaged in other consulta- tion processes not least the run up to the 2024 National Budget for which it submit- ted its formal proposals to Ministers Aaron Farrugia and Clyde Caruana. A report was also presented on a special Board meeting held with the Leader of the Opposition and the Opposition spokesperson for Maritime Affairs last July. In this regard, Xerri wel- comed the fact that the MMF's flagship proposal for a National Maritime Strategy was included in the Budget Speech with reference by Minister Caruana to "a 20 Year Vision for the Maritime Industry". He informed fellow mem- bers that the MMF had al- ready been participating in preliminary talks leading to the setting up of a Strategic Advisory Board which would be responsible for the articu- lation and implementation of the Strategy. The MMF Chairman thanked Ivan Sammut for his sterling contribution to the Malta Flag and the industry and congratulated Ivan Tab- one on assuming the role as new Registrar General of Shipping & Seamen. He ex- pressed the Forum's eager- ness to forge a close and open professional relationship with Tabone as soon as possi- ble in the interest of ensuring that the Malta Flag remains competitive. Xerri noted that the indus- try requires a proper market- ing plan, adequate resourc- es, fast responsive reaction time and budgets to serve the needs of stakeholders and overcome the threat of ag- gressive competitors. In his address, Xerri al- so updated members on the regular meetings held with Transport Malta and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Transport, In- frastructure and Capital Pro- jects where the Forum con- veyed its dissatisfaction at the handling of the proposed Ship Agency Regulations. In the interest of Malta's repu- tation as a maritime centre of excellence, Godwin Xerri ap- pealed for Transport Malta to act with determination and without further delay, enact the regulations and demand from the industry the level of standards that would make Malta proud of the service it conveys to foreign shipown- ers and bring to an end the unregulated and low stand- ards prevailing in the indus- try today. During such meetings, God- win Xerri explained that the Forum continued to insist on the need for a dedicated national maritime authori- ty. He said that only this ap- proach can guarantee focus, fast response time and short communication lines for the benefit of the industry and the country. "The bottlenecks that re- main with an authority re- sponsible for all forms of transport cannot be solved unless the responsibilities are divided by means of a re-or- ganisation of resources or a de-merger" Xerri said. MMF outlines concerns with ETS, other issues during 2023 progress meeting for members