Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1539671
7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 SEPTEMBER 2025 COMMERCIAL How Malta transformed from a bunkering hub to a global commodity trading centre FOR decades, Malta was known primarily as a bunkering stop—a refuelling point for ships navi- gating the busy Mediterranean lanes. But in less than a decade, the island has redefined its role on the global energy map. The catalyst? A Maltese-born com- pany called Alkagesta. From Bunkering stop to trading brain When Alkagesta was found- ed in St. Julian's in 2018, Mal- ta's maritime activity revolved around bunkering. The real trad- ing—financing, deal-making, and arbitrage—happened else- where. Yet Malta held a strate- gic advantage: a central location between Europe, North Africa, and Asia, coupled with a regula- tory framework aligned with EU standards. Alkagesta saw the opportunity. With the aim of linking mari- time hubs to inland markets via logistics, the company set out to develop a comprehensive commodity trading house — a scale of operation previously unseen in Malta. The company invested in storage tanks, signed long-term supply contracts, and began blending and exporting petroleum—not just for local re- fuelling, but for global markets. Within two years, Malta was no longer just a port of call—it was a launchpad for international commodity flows. The turning point: Infrastruc- ture and optionality The transformation accelerat- ed in 2023 when Alkagesta ex- panded its terminal capacities in Malta. For the first time, the island's infrastructure moved be- yond bunkering to onshore facil- ities integrated into global sup- ply chains. That shift was pivotal. With tanks and terminals un- der Maltese jurisdiction, the island attracted international fi- nancing, compliance oversight, and value-added trading activ- ity—elements offshore fueling alone could never provide. Mal- ta now had what every trading centre needs: optionality. Stor- age and blending capabilities allowed it to balance markets, absorb shocks, and participate in arbitrage across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The ripple effects: finance, talent, reputation Trading houses don't grow in isolation. As Alkagesta scaled— sourcing over 7 million tons of commodities in 2024—it brought with it a web of financ- ing, governance, and compliance infrastructure. By 2025, the com- pany was working with 28 glob- al banking partners, channeling international capital and risk management expertise directly to Malta. The human impact was equally transformative. Over 150 pro- fessionals now work across Alk- agesta's offices, many of them in Malta, which hosts the com- pany's largest operational base. A talent pipeline, built through partnerships with universities across Europe, reinforced Mal- ta's emergence as a knowledge hub. Reputation followed. Malta, once synonymous with bunker- ing, began appearing alongside Geneva, London, and Singapore in industry conferences and ESG reports. Alkagesta made sustain- ability a cornerstone of its global positioning—publishing annual ESG reports, investing in biofu- els and Used Cooking Oil (UCO) recycling plants, and securing ISCC EU certification. A global centre with local roots The result is a rebranding of Malta's role in global trade. What Singapore is to Asia, and Geneva is to continental Europe, Malta now aspires to be for the Mediterranean—a place where commodities are not only stored, but financed, hedged, and re- sponsibly sourced. Looking forward: Malta as a bridge Today, Malta is more than a bunkering hub. It is a bridge— between Europe and Asia, hy- drocarbons and biofuels, lega- cy trading practices and a new ESG-driven order. Alkagesta's rise transformed not only its own business, but the role of its home country. Malta, once a pit stop for tankers, now hosts a global trading house that connects continents, manages billions in turnover, and helps set the pace of the energy tran- sition. It's a reminder that in com- modity markets, geography mat- ters—but vision matters more. And in Malta's case, that vision came from one company bold enough to bet that a small island nation could be more than a re- fueling stop. It could be a centre of global trade. In just eight years, Maltese-born Alkagesta has transformed Malta from a Mediterranean refuelling stop into a global commodity trading hub, reshaping the island's role on the world energy map Frank Salt Real Estate launches its training academy FRANK Salt Real Estate is proud to announce the launch of its new Training Academy at the San Ġwann branch, a landmark ini- tiative demonstrating the com- pany's commitment to staff de- velopment and excellence in the property sector. Leading this exciting venture is Karen Bristow, stepping into her role as full-time Lead Trainer. Ka- ren brings extensive experience delivering training across prom- inent UK retail outlets including M&S, Debenhams, Mothercare, and Tesco. Over the past eight years, she has been a pivotal part of the Fgura sales team and more recently successfully led the Fgura Letting branch, while also con- tributing to the company's train- ing modules. Karen commented: "I feel priv- ileged to have this opportunity after eight years of working with Frank Salt. This Training Acad- emy will offer anyone interested in the property sector a full train- ing experience, with one-to-one coaching in the field and constant support, giving new recruits the best opportunity for success." The Academy is designed to give new recruits a structured and supportive introduction to the property industry. With train- ing being conducted at the San Ġwann Academy, this will allow recruits to gain hands-on experi- ence in a dedicated environment before moving to their assigned branches. Director Douglas Salt highlighted the importance of this structured approach: "The launch of our dedicated Training Academy is a natural progression in our commitment to raising in- dustry standards. We recognise that proper training is the foun- dation for long-term success, both for our consultants and for the company. With Karen leading the programme, new recruits will not only gain essential knowledge and practical skills, but they will also benefit from the confidence and guidance needed to thrive in a competitive market. Candidates will subsequently be assisted by a sales coach to assist them in the initial part of their journey to be- come a successful property con- sultant. This will ensure the best preparation the industry has to offer on the path to success." Douglas went on to say, "This initiative reflects our long-stand- ing belief that investing in people is the key to our continued growth and success." HR Manager Mandy Zaffarese emphasized the broader signifi- cance of the initiative: "From an HR perspective, the set-up of this Academy marks an important milestone in how we invest in our people. Having Karen as the lead trainer ensures expertise and passion guide our team. Training plays a vital role not only in devel- oping skills, but also in building confidence, consistency, and a strong sense of belonging across the company. This programme strengthens our recruitment ef- forts and demonstrates our com- mitment to continuous learning and career growth, making Frank Salt Real Estate an employer of choice for ambitious profession- als." Through the San Ġwann Train- ing Academy, Frank Salt Real Es- tate continues to nurture talent, deliver excellence, and equip new professionals with the skills and confidence to thrive in Malta's dy- namic property market.