The Mediterranean Maritime Hub Malta (MMH) is investing more than €20 million to turn Valletta into a hub for vessels from the maritime and oil and gas exploration sectors. Located in the far reaches of Valetta Harbour at Albert Town, the first investment of €8 million went towards the preparation of the site, with a large proportion dedicated to the dredging of the basin to a depth of 10.5 metres. This dredging successfully removed pollutants from the main dock and allowed the port to accommodate larger vessels from the offshore sectors, including supply and construction vessels as well as superyachts.
“Today, thanks to the collaborative work with Jan De Nul Group, Malta’s harbour can accommodate larger vessels within the oil and gas field including supply and construction vessels. This investment sets us well on the way to achieving our ambition of turning the port of Valletta into a bustling Maritime and Oil & Gas Hub,” a spokesperson from Mediterranean Maritime Hub Malta commented.
The next stage of the development includes the provision of two travel lifts, one of 300 tonnes and one of 700 tonnes which will allow vessels to be lifted out and placed on hard standing or in the workshops for further work. This 5 month long project will involve creating two 45 metre long piers on which the hoists can operate and these will create two basins, one with a 9 metre width and one 14 metre width which are necessary for accommodating wider vessels. The travel lifts are part of the second investment of €5 million that has been allocated for the upgrading works on the quayside infrastructure.
These current investment projects will make it possible to move onto the next stage which will include 120,000 sq. metres of paving and servicing works upgrades, the upgrading of the sheds and equipment, to include new workshops, blasting and painting booths as well as new offices and facilities.
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