Background information

Malta has two major ports: the Grand Harbour and the Malta Freeport. In both port areas, residents and activists have complained that due to the lack of electricity infrastructure, ships must leave their engines running whilst in port. This leads to greater pollution levels for residents in these areas. Work commenced on building a shore-to-ship system in the Grand Harbour in Valletta in 2022 and in 2023 the first ships were able to make use of the system. Work commenced on constructing such a system at the Malta Freeport in Birżebbuġa in 2023.

Content of measure

Work commenced in October 2023 at the Malta Freeport and is earmarked to be completed in the year of 2025. Once completed, ships would only need to use their engines during the docking process, and once at dock will be able to turn off their engines and make use of the system. The reduction in pollution, both airborne and in terms of noise, via the use of the system is expected to benefit residents substantially. The reduction in pollutants will also benefit port workers. The project has a budget of €12 million and is co-financed through the Just Transition fund.

Use of measure

No information available.

Contents

• Health and safety
• Other topics

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Other businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Company / Companies	European Funds National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies	Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Company level

Involvement

In terms of the trade unions and employer associations, government plans to implement shore to ship systems were presented at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD). The level of consultation within this body on this specific measure is unclear, as discussions within the MCESD are confidential. Social partners have not made any formal declarations about this measure at the freeport.

Views and reactions

Public reactions were not identified from social partners. However, local council representatives (representatives of residents) stated that they had long been calling for such a system to reduce the noise and air pollution in the area.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 13 January 2022: TVM news - ‘Ship to shore’ system at Freeport will be completed in two and a half years’ time (tvmnews.mt)
• 14 October 2023: Times of Malta - Freeport's €12m shore-to-ship power project begins (timesofmalta.com)