The new service, operated by CMA-CGM and Marfret — French container transportation and shipping companies —, now allows Maltese importers and exporters to connect to Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe), Fort-de-France (Martinique), Houston (US), Veracruz (Mexico) and Puerto Moin (Costa Rica). These five ports come addition to the freeport’s present network to South America, which covers five countries including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Uruguay.

“We are delighted to add this new service to our portfolio, which is a reflection of the confidence of transhipment industry in our port which is ideally positioned in the heart of the Mediterranean”, said Alex Montebello, Chief Executive Officer of Malta Freeport Terminals.

“We are also pleased to note that they will be making use of our upgraded reefer facilities in which we have invested considerably over the past year,” adds Mr Montebello. The Malta Freeport offers 1,582 reefer points at its terminals and will be installing a further 180 reefer plugs across three new platforms, in order to handle more perishable cargo.

In addition, the freeport made a €31m investment in 2018 in 15 Kone Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs) as well as in other yard equipment, including 67 new tractors and trailers.

The Malta Freeport currently provides network links to 115 ports around the world, 59 of which are in the Mediterranean.

EDITORIAL NOTE: The cover picture of the story has been changed to an aerial shot of the Malta Freeport, originally posted on Wikimedia Commons by Alecastorina93.

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The freeport operates non stop, and the engineering section, represented by the GWU, plays a crucial role in the operations of the facilities, as they are the personel maintaining and repairing all the equipment used at the freeport, the press statement explains.

“Efficiency is pivotal to the Freeport’s success since we operate in a highly competitive environment. I would like to thank everyone involved in securing this collective agreement,” says Alex Montebello, CEO of Malta Freeport Terminals.

Malta Freeport Terminals has recently revealed an investment of €31 in new equipment and infrastructural works. The new facilities are expected to be fully operational in March.

Last year, the freeport handled a record-breaking 3.31 million TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit) containers, and due to recent investments, the freeport expects to increase capacity to 4 million TEUs.

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The recently announced investment includes 15 newly-acquired Kone Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs), as well as other yard equipment including 67 new tractors and trailers. The new cranes come as an addition to another 50 already in use, the new ones being provided by manufacturer KCI Kone Cranes. The freeport says the new equipment is faster and safer.

“This investment comes at a time when the Terminals are operating at elevated capacity in a difficult and highly competitive environment,” said Alex Montebello, CEO at Malta Freeport Terminals, during the press conference announcing the new investment. “Despite these challenges, the Freeport once again broke records again in terms of throughput in 2018, handling 3.31 million TEU containers. This is also thanks to the dedication of our committed personnel – without whom the results we’ve registered would not have been possible,” he added.

The CEO also tagged the current investment as a catalyst for further growth. “Since we are already operating at high capacity, the next step is to ensure our terminals are able to accommodate four million containers. We are seeking to achieve this objective in a number of ways, including extending the Terminal Two North Quay which is currently at tendering stage,” he added.

Minister for Tourism Konrad Mizzi, who also attended the press conference announcing the investment, acknowledged the importance of the freeport concerning the economy and competitiveness of Malta. Mr Mizzi noted that the current financing is also good for nearby town Birzebugga, as noise levels will drop and the quality of air will improve. The tourism minister also explained about the energy efficiency and low-emission operations of the new equipment.

The Freeport currently handles 20 weekly mainline services, providing network links to 130 ports around the world, and received more than 2,200 vessels over the past 12 months, according to the press statement.

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