Factsheet for measure
MT-2023-41/3605
–
Updated
– measures in Malta
Shore to ship system at the Malta Freeport
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.
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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05 July 2025
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The European Commission has approved a €12.35 million grant for the second phase of Malta Freeport’s onshore power supply project. Covering two-thirds of the €18.4 million cost, it will provide high-voltage shore power at South Quay Terminal 2 and West Quay Terminal 1. The project, Malta’s only approved under the 2024 Connecting Europe Facility, complements Phase One at North Quay, which received support through the EU Just Transition Facility Fund.
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Use of measure
No information available.
Contents
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Health and safety
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Other topics
Target groups
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Workers
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Businesses
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Citizens
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Does not apply to workers
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Other businesses
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Does not apply to citizens
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Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
Company / Companies
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European Funds
National funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Consulted
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Consulted
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Form
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Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies
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Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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No involvement
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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
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This case is sector-specific (only private sector)
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Economic area
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Sector (NACE level 2)
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H - Transportation And Storage
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H50 Water transport
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H52 Warehousing and support activities for transportation
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This case is not occupation-specific.
Sources
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13 January 2022: TVM news - ‘Ship to shore’ system at Freeport will be completed in two and a half years’ time
(tvmnews.mt)
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14 October 2023: Times of Malta - Freeport's €12m shore-to-ship power project begins
(timesofmalta.com)
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05 July 2025: €12.35m in EU funds for second phase of Malta Freeport shore power project - Newsboo
(newsbook.com.mt)
