According to the Malta Times, the Malta Maritime Authority has made a series of proposals for the setting up of permanent and temporary yacht marinas to meet the growing demand for berths and moorings on the Island, but not everyone is in agreement, and the plans may well attract severe criticism both locally and internationally.
Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt announced the plans earlier this year, stating that demand for both fixed berths and offshore moorings was growing every year with demand outstripping supply. He said there is currently demand for 2,060 berths when only 1,500 are available. Demand for permanent berths is growing by around a 100 a year, plus demand for another 150 berths per year for temporary berthing. He then went on to say that temporary yacht berthing facilities were being proposed for Mgarr outside the North breakwater, Cirkewwa close to the ferry terminal, Vecca in St Paul’s Bay, Qalet Marku in Bahar ic-Caghaq, St Julian’s, Marsascala and Birzebbuga.
In addition the Malta Marine Authority had also proposed permanent yacht berthing facilities at Sliema ferries, an extension of Ta Xbiex and Pieta marinas, Marsa Creek and Kalkara Creek in Grand Harbour. Other potential sites for permanent yacht marinas were Fekruna Vecca, and Gillieri areas in St Paul’s Bay, Spinola in St Julians, Birzebbuga and Marsascala. Stanley Portelli, CEO of the MMA, said that Dock 1 in Grand Harbour would be turned into a temporary marina for this summer, and would be able to accommodate 62 yachts, in order to help with the summer over spill. Despite the downturn in worldwide economies, Malta remains one of the most popular destinations for yachting throughout the year, due to the fantastic climate and great sailing conditions, but like many other popular boating locations, lacks the number of berths to meet demand. A request for proposals from the private sector to set up the temporary berths will be issued in September. The Malta Maritime Authority are proposing to carry out an environmental impact assessment on the proposed permanent sites by October and then issue a call for proposals by investors within a year. They may well face some stiff opposition to the plans - we will have to wait and see, and having just come back from Malta myself I can understand the problem as most of the marinas I visited are full to overflowing with no space for visitig boats, so i you are planning a trip there this summer, my advice would be to check carefully before arrival.
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