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MALTATODAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2025

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3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 3 SEPTEMBER 2025 NEWS Research aims to reduce tugboat emissions during offshore wind turbines deployment Maltese and Chinese researchers want to develop a streamlined device to cut fuel consumption from tugboats when dragging f loating wind turbines out to sea DRAGGING a floating wind turbine out to sea is a daunting task that requires large tugboats which ironically burn tonnes of fuel and generate high emis- sions. Such deep-sea turbines are often assembled onshore and towed over long distances to the installation site. This pro- cess is not only a logistical challenge but also costly and is likely to be repeated multiple times throughout the turbine's lifetime for major maintenance tasks. But now researchers from the University of Malta have teamed up with leading Chinese institu- tions to develop what they de- scribe as a "novel drag reduction fairing". The project called Tow- FOWT—an acronym for tow- ing floating offshore wind tur- bine towing—aims to develop a streamlined device that reduces the hydrodynamic resistance experienced during towing, according to lead researcher Christopher Micallef. "By lowering the towing drag, the project aims to cut fuel con- sumption and associated emis- sions, contributing directly to Malta's decarbonisation efforts and transition to a green and blue economy," Micallef, head of the UOM's Mechanical Engi- neering Department, told Malt- aToday. Floating wind turbines are pre- dominantly located in waters that are too deep for fixed-bot- tom turbines. Malta is still at tendering stage in its quest to develop its first offshore floating wind farm just outside the 12-mile nautical zone. China, on the other hand, is developing gigawatt-scale floating wind farms far offshore. Nonetheless, the challenge of deploying deep-sea wind farms sustainably by reducing the en- vironmental impact of towing is the same for both countries. The research will combine high-fidelity numerical sim- ulations—very realistic and complex simulations—using computers to predict the flow of seawater and air with scaled experimental testing. "A key focus will be ensuring that the new device does not compromise towing stability, es- pecially under challenging met- ocean conditions," Micallef said. Energy Minister Miriam Dalli told parliament before the sum- mer recess that Malta is expect- ed to select a contractor for its first offshore wind farm by the start of 2028. The wind farm will be located outside territorial waters and within Malta's Exclusive Eco- nomic Zone and is expected to have an installed capacity of around 300MW. The two areas identified for such a develop- ment are to the east and south of Malta. Two consortiums and a Greek company have shown an inter- est in developing Malta's first offshore renewable energy pro- ject. The first consortium is Code Zero Consortium, led by SEP (Malta) Holding Ltd, with part- ners Kornelio Energy 1 Ltd, M. Demajo (Holdings) Ltd, and NMK Renewables Ltd. A second submission was made by the consortium Atlas Med Wind, led by GreenIT SpA, partnered with Seatrans Ship- ping Ltd, Central European Ad- visors Limited, and CI V Trans- fer Coöperatief U.A. The third submission was by MCKEDRIK Sole Member Ltd, a sole applicant from Greece. The TowFOWT research pro- ject is financed by Xjenza Malta and China's Science and Tech- nology Ministry through the Si- no-Malta Fund 2025 call. The UOM is collaborating with the Beijing Institute of Technol- ogy, Tianjin University and the China Ship Scientific Re- search Centre. Apart from Christopher Mi- callef, the University of Malta research team includes en- gineers Tonio Sant and Jean Paul Mollicone and researchers Martina Zammit and Nathaniel Scerri. KURT SANSONE ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Searches revealed the firearm, traces of cocaine, and the de- coder of the residence's CCTV system. Gunshot residue tests were also carried out on the ac- cused. The alleged victim was assist- ed by lawyer Francesca Zarb, who explained that her client had already exercised his right to silence during the magisteri- al inquiry after being cautioned that he might himself face criminal charges if he testified. For this reason, she argued, any testimony he gave in connec- tion with the case could risk in- criminating him. When called to the stand, the man confirmed he would not be testifying against Debono and went on to say, "everyone makes mistakes," before being stopped by the magistrate. He also formally renounced his complaint. His partner, who had filmed parts of the inci- dent, likewise refused to testify on the same grounds. Earlier sittings had revealed that the confrontation stemmed from a financial dispute involv- ing around €70,000. Prosecu- tors said Debono flaunted a pistol, fired multiple rounds, and issued threats, including "death awaits you" and menac- ing words directed at the vic- tim's children. A mobile phone recording allegedly captured these threats, while the victim's partner filmed Debono holding the weapon outside his resi- dence. The court issued a three-year protection order in favour of the alleged victim and his chil- dren. Initially hesitant, Debono eventually signed the order af- ter being warned of the legal consequences of refusing. The accused, who has a lengthy criminal record, is no stranger to courtrooms. In February, he was charged after a police chase through Tarxien ended in a crash that hospitalised three people, including two officers. Despite multiple breaches of bail conditions, he has been re- peatedly granted bail, with this latest arrest marking his sixth release from custody in connec- tion with pending cases. In Tuesday's sitting, his de- fence lawyers challenged the validity of his arrest, arguing that he had not been informed of his rights. It was reported that Debono had been told of both his rights and the rea- sons for his arrest at 10:15pm on the day of the shooting and had been given a formal letter of rights, though he was visibly agitated. The court upheld the arrest as lawful. No request for bail was made during the hearing. Defence lawyers Franco Debono, Marion Camilleri and Anthea Bonnici Zammit ap- peared for the defence, while lawyer Francesca Zarb ap- peared for the alleged victim. Inspectors Gabriel Kitcher and Karen Cassar prosecuted. Magistrate Giannella Camilleri Busuttil presided over the case. The case continues. Alleged victim said he would not testify against Melvin Debono

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