Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543144
6 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 FEBRUARY 2026 Long-term regeneration of Grand Harbour announced in four-phase project Government launches public consultation on long-term regeneration plan for the Grand Harbour, outlining a four-phase project aimed at redeveloping key waterfront and former industrial sites GOVERNMENT on Thursday launched a public consultation on a long-term regeneration plan for the Grand Harbour, outlin- ing a four-phase project aimed at redeveloping key waterfront and former industrial sites. The consultation opens imme- diately and will be followed by engagement with the private sec- tor, beginning with a pre-market consultation focused on the first phase of the project. Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister Robert Abela said the regeneration plan seeks to re- develop areas around the Grand Harbour into a mixed-use zone of international standard, while retaining and highlighting Mal- ta's maritime heritage. He described the project as large-scale and said it forms part of the government's broader de- velopment vision. Four-phase plan The regeneration is structured in four phases. The first phase targets the Marsa waterfront and the site of the former Marsa power station, which has been closed in recent years. This area is planned to be transformed in- to a mixed-use development in- corporating cultural, recreation- al and service-oriented spaces. The government said the aim of the first phase is to open the harbour to the public, with a focus on modern, sustainable development. The masterplan for this phase was prepared by international architecture firm Chapman Taylor. Following the conclusion of the six-week public consulta- tion, the government will launch a pre-market consultation to assess private sector interest in delivering the first phase of the project, specifically the former Marsa power station site. Abela said the Grand Harbour has historically been central to Malta's economy and that the regeneration is intended to shift parts of the area from heavy in- dustrial use to public and mixed- use development. He linked the project to other initiatives undertaken around the harbour in recent years, including the introduction of shore-to-ship electricity, which the government says has re- duced emissions from berthed vessels and improved air quality for nearby residents. He also referred to the free maritime transport service oper- ating between Marsamxett Har- bour and the Grand Harbour, which the government says has carried around 1.5 million pas- sengers in under a year, with nearly half travelling between Valletta and the Three Cities. Abela also pointed to the clo- sure of the Marsa power sta- tion as a key step in addressing long-standing environmental impacts in the area. Alignment with Malta 2050 vision The prime minister said the re- generation plan is aligned with the Malta 2050 vision and is in- tended to attract what he de- scribed as "quality investment" rather than large-scale expan- sion. He said the government's approach prioritises sustaina- bility, efficiency and long-term value. He cited other projects as examples of this approach, in- cluding low- and zero-carbon school developments, infra- structure works in Imdina and Imsida, and planned environ- mental projects that would re- turn land to public use at Ma- noel Island, White Rocks and Fort Campbell. Abela said the regeneration would not alter the funda- mental character of the Grand Harbour and that surrounding localities, particularly Marsa, would benefit directly from the project. Minister Miriam Dalli calls for open consultation Environment Minister Miri- am Dalli said the regeneration plan must balance respect for the harbour's history with fu- ture-oriented investment. She said the public consul- tation process would be open and inclusive, acknowledging that large-scale change raises concerns but arguing that the area has significant untapped potential. "The plans for this area need to allow for more than what exists today," Dalli said, adding that feedback from the consul- tation would inform the next stages of the project. The public consultation will run for six weeks, after which the government will proceed with the pre-market consulta- tion for the first phase of devel- opment at Marsa. The regeneration project will be split into four phases, government announced on Thursday Prime Minister Robert Abela