Malta Freeport’s Terminal 2 ambitious expansion project received a visit from Prime Minister Robert Abela as work to future-proof Malta’s strategic Mediterranean hub is moving at a rapid pace.

Accompanied by the Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, Silvio Schembri, and Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Chris Bonett, the Prime Minister was provided with a tour of the landmark project by Malta Freeport Terminals CEO Alex Montebello.

Mr Montebello said: “I am pleased to welcome the Prime Minister and Ministers here today to witness the progress of this highly complex yet hugely exciting undertaking which is taking shape. Our Terminal 2 expansion – the first to take place at the Freeport in two decades following an agreement with Government – is essential for the future of transhipment in Malta and will benefit the economy.”

The €56 million land reclamation project – taking MFT’s investment in the facility to €400 million since it was privatised in 2004 – will extend the north quay at Terminal 2 by 176 metres and the west quay by 195 metres, enhancing the facility’s capability to handle new and future mega containerships which are already more than four football pitches in length and carry 24,000 TEU containers.

Mr Montebello said: “Working in the open sea presents real and at times daunting challenges; but everyone involved is dedicated to ensuring works proceed smoothly and efficiently – not least our contractors, Polidano, whose professionalism and extensive expertise in land reclamation has proved to be an invaluable asset.”

The contractor recently submerged the seventh of 11 caissons – watertight structures used in underwater construction projects to allow workers to excavate and build below the waterline – which will keep the construction area dry for the next phase.

Residents of neighbouring village Birzebbuga stand to benefit once the new terminal extension is complete since the Freeport has agreed to renounce its right to install certain quay cranes on the west quay at Terminal 1, which is much closer to the shore, and operate this terminal only during daytime hours. Moreover, the company has made an additional contribution to the community of €300,000.

The Freeport is also working to install an onshore power supply facility – after EU funding was obtained by the Malta Freeport Corporation and the Ministry for the Economy – which will significantly reduce emissions and noise from vessels berthing at the facility.

During the visit, Mr Montebello gave Dr Abela, Mr Schembri and Dr Bonett a preview of the Freeport’s newly delivered crane simulator. This state-of-the-art simulator, supplied by industry leader GlobalSim, replicates real quay and yard equipment in sight, sound, and motion, providing safe in-house training for new recruits and experienced operators on quay cranes and rubber-tyred gantry cranes.

The Freeport today offers services to over 110 ports worldwide – more than 50 of which are in the Mediterranean – on several mainline services operated by major shipping lines.

The facility, which handles almost three million TEU containers per year, provides direct employment for more than 1,500 people and contributes €170 million – two per cent of GDP – to Malta’s economy.