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The Malta Maritime Forum (MMF) has gone on record on numerous occasions with its views on the introduction of the EU Directive on the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) as applied to Shipping and its negative implications for Malta.

The MMF’s calls for a postponement in the implementation were serious and responsible.  They were made with the highest degree of respect for the European Institutions and their commendable objectives behind the Directive.  Nevertheless, the MMF firmly believes that the...

https://mmf.org.mt/the-european-emission-trading-system-and-the-implications-for-malta/

The Malta Maritime Forum proudly congratulates Dr Ann Fenech, on her inclusion, once again, amongst the Lloyds List Shipping Industry’s most influential people.

Typically, in its 2023 Edition Fourteen, The Lloyds List One Hundred People includes owners of the world’s largest fleets, box port operators, technology leaders, maritime lawyers, ship managers and shipbrokers amongst others.

This is yet another remarkable achievement by the Forum’s active Board Member and co-founder in a long list of...

https://mmf.org.mt/mmf-proudly-congratulates-dr-ann-fenech-on-her-inclusion-in-lloyds-list-one-hundred-people-the-shipping-industrys-most-influential-people/

Malta Freeport Terminals performed a staggering 14,600 moves on the CMA CGM mega containership Palais Royal in a record-breaking feat for the facility.

The LNG-powered, 400-metre-long vessel – capable of carrying 23,000 TEU containers – sailed into Malta Freeport on December 6 and is currently en route to Marseilles – the headquarters of CMA CGM Group, the third largest shipping line in the world and also one of Malta Freeport’s shareholders.

Freeport CEO Alex Montebello said: “I am immensely...

https://mmf.org.mt/malta-freeport-achieves-record-number-of-moves-on-mega-vessel/

If big shipping lines move to non-EU ports as a result of an environmental tax that will be introduced by the European Union next year “it will be close to impossible” to bring them back, maritime law expert Ann Fenech told The Malta Independent on Sunday.

Expressing her disappointment that the European Commission is biding its time with regard to the effect that such a tax will have on the industry, Fenech said that in international shipping there is no such thing as “wait and see”.

In shipping,...

https://mmf.org.mt/if-shipping-lines-move-to-non-eu-ports-it-will-be-close-to-impossible-to-bring-them-back/

The Maritime Industry is fully committed to decarbonization and environmental protection because the Industry itself is a victim of grave, climate change consequences.  Rising sea and air temperatures, shifting sea levels and the frequency of extreme marine events are devastating to the operations of the Industry.

The Industry fully supports the principles and objectives behind the European Green Deal and the consequent Fit for 55 Package, including the “Fuel EU maritime” Regulation. ...

https://mmf.org.mt/urgent-implementation-rethink-required-to-ensure-achievement-of-the-commendable-objectives-of-eu-ets-shipping/

It was both timely and pertinent for The Sunday Times of Malta to highlight the threat posed by the new EU environmental tariff (known as the EU ETS for Shipping Directive) to Malta’s import and export market.

If it is allowed to remain as is, the directive, which forms part of the European Green Deal and Fit for 55 Package, will deal a big blow to Malta’s Freeport’s competitiveness – with the consequence that connectivity for local industry will suffer and costs are likely to rise.

Under the new...

https://mmf.org.mt/united-against-eu-cost-threat-a-new-eu-shipping-directive-will-deal-a-big-blow-to-maltas-freeports-competitiveness-unless-it-is-amended/

The Malta Maritime Forum expressed concern about the “imminent risk” that major shipping companies pull out of Malta as a result of an environment tax that will be introduced in European Union countries as from next year.

There is a “likely scenario” in which Malta will lose its role as a transhipment hub, as shipping countries choose ports of call outside the EU where no such tax is paid, MMF CEO Kevin J. Borg said in an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday.

The MMF, he said,...

https://mmf.org.mt/eu-shipping-tax-puts-malta-in-imminent-risk-of-losing-role-as-transhipment-hub-mmf/

Malta Maritime Forum pushes on for the need to have a holistic maritime strategy and a dedicated authority.

World Maritime Day has been celebrated on September 28 since 1978 to focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment but it also serves to shed light on an industry which, despite its size and economic contribution, has often failed to receive the importance it deserves.

The international shipping industry plays a crucial role in...

https://mmf.org.mt/maritime-industry-at-centre-of-new-economic-model-for-malta/

The facts and figures relating to how much the maritime industry contributes to the Maltese economy have been referenced countless times and they are substantial. I will not quote them here as this information is quite easily attainable to anyone who searches the plethora of articles on this subject.

What is irritating many people working in this industry is that such income is being taken for granted and there is a sense that this stream of capital can always be relied upon. Of course, this...

https://mmf.org.mt/lets-stop-taking-the-maritime-industry-for-granted/