ATTO is not against plans to regenerate the Grand Harbour but all stakeholders need to engage in focused discussions to ensure guaranteed berths with adequate quay operations that do not jeopardise logistic operations, Joseph Bugeja, Chairman of the Association of Maltese International Trailer Operators (ATTO), said Wednesday.
He was addressing the association’s annual conference, named Europe’s Island Link: Advocating Malta’s Role in the EU’s Transport Strategy. The conference brought together key policymakers, European representatives and industry stakeholders to discuss the strategic, regulatory and operational challenges facing Malta’s road haulage and logistics sector, particularly the fragility of Malta’s connection disadvantages as an island state.
In his opening address, Bugeja declared that Malta “can no longer afford economic isolation,” and stressed that the sector which keeps the island supplied and connected to Europe is being pushed to its operational limits.
“A mere two-day storm recently led to reported shortages in supermarkets. If disruptions of that nature were prolonged, the consequences would be catastrophic,” Bugeja said.
“Our members are not simply moving trailers. They are safeguarding Malta’s economic resilience and national security of supply.”
ATTO represents the operators responsible for guaranteeing the seamless daily movement of goods between Malta and mainland Europe. Yet, despite their strategic importance, the sector continues to face structural disadvantages at both EU and national levels.
At a European level, ATTO has intensified its advocacy against blanket policies that fail to recognise Malta’s island realities. Chief among these is the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), which as of 1 January has reached 100% implementation for maritime transport.
According to ATTO, the cumulative impact of ETS-related costs and fuel surcharges is imposing disproportionate and unjust financial burdens on Malta’s transport and logistics industry.
“These costs are ultimately being filtered down to Maltese consumers. As an island state on the periphery of Europe, Malta does not have the luxury of alternative land connections. Yet EU environmental and transport measures continue to be designed as though we operate under the same conditions as continental Member States,” he added.
Turning to local issues, Bugeja referred to infrastructure constraints within the Grand Harbour which continue to undermine operational efficiency, particularly as trailer volumes increase under increasingly strict delivery timeframes.
While acknowledging the long-term vision behind the recently unveiled Grand Harbour Revival Plan, Bugeja made it unequivocally clear that ATTO cannot support proposals that may compromise two of the most strategic Ro-Ro berths without guaranteed and viable alternatives.
“Our Grand Harbour is a cornerstone of Malta’s supply chain and economic competitiveness. We cannot accept regeneration plans that jeopardise Ro-Ro trailer operations. Another berth was already sacrificed in previous years to accommodate larger cruise liners. Repeating that approach would be extremely dangerous.”
He maintained that any redevelopment, including proposals involving Ras Ħanżir, must be operationally robust, future-proof and aligned with national logistics requirements before implementation proceeds.
The Association also called for stronger political recognition of the sector’s strategic status.
“This is not merely a business activity,” Bugeja stressed. “International trailer operations underpin employment, sustain trade flows and ensure uninterrupted connectivity with Europe. Both major political parties must fully grasp the national implications of policy decisions affecting our industry.”
“ATTO is not anti-progress,” Bugeja concluded. “We advocate forward-thinking, balanced solutions. But we will firmly oppose any proposal, local or European, that undermines Malta’s operational resilience or places our nation at a structural disadvantage. The stakes are simply too high.”
