30/Jan/2015 at 15:23 Press Release 29/01/15 - New scheme launched for the registration of vehicles for weekend use     Transport Malta will be receiving applications to register high emission vehicles and motorcycles to be used during Weekends and Public/national Holidays Only.   The objective of this optional scheme is to introduce a concept where high emission vehicles and motorcycles are kept off the roads during the week and hence reducing pollution. It is also intended for vehicle enthusiasts who would like to register a high end vehicle, which normally would be high powered and thus with high emissions, to be used exclusively on weekends and public holidays.   Through this scheme, vehicle enthusiasts who only use their cars for particular occasions, events or shows would also benefit from the new scheme.   The registration tax payable under this Scheme will amount to 40% of the full registration tax, thus a saving of 60%. The Annual Circulation Licence Fee will be paid annually in full.   Such vehicles will be registered and licensed through the normal system, but the registration plates will be of a red colour and hence differentiate from the current fleet.   The scheme launched in Budget 2015 is open for vehicles used for the carriage of persons and which may carry no more than 8 passengers in addition to the driver (Category M1) and Motorcycles to be used during weekends and Public/National Holidays Only. This optional measure will apply ONLY to M1 vehicles with CO2 emission levels equal to or greater than 221g/km with an emission level equivalent to the latest Euro standard (Euro 5/6) or Latest -1 Euro standard (Euro 4) and also to motorcycles with an engine capacity equal or greater than 801cc.   Vehicles registered under this scheme must be garaged and may not be used and/or parked on the public roads between Monday to Friday (both days included). To deter abuses, the scheme also includes penalties for vehicle owners caught driving such vehicles between Monday to Friday (both days included). These fines could amount to paying double the registration tax with a minimum of €2,500 together with the registration tax due.   Applications for such schemes are available from the Vehicle Licensing Unit, Hornsworks Ditch, Floriana.   END Read more

30/Jan/2015 at 15:20 Press Release 30/01/15 - Transport Malta investigating incident on board Gozo Channel Vessel       Transport Malta is carrying an investigation into the incident that happened on board a Gozo Channel vessel this morning during a ferry crossing between the islands. The Authority is in contact with the management of Gozo Channel Co Ltd and the captain of the vessel to ascertain all the facts related to the incident whereby a truck allegedly toppled on its side.      End   Read more

30/Jan/2015 at 15:17 Press Release 30/01/15 - Temporary Road Closures     Fgura 31 January & 01 February 2015     Due to an event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of  Fgura Parish Church, part of Triq Hompesch, between the roundabouts at Triq San Tumas and Triq is-Sur, will be closed to traffic on Saturday 31st January 2015 between 16:30hrs and 20:00hrs and on Sunday 1st February 2015 between 06:00hrs and 12:00hrs and between 18:00hrs and 19:30hrs.   Vehicular traffic coming from Paola will be diverted onto Triq San Tumas.  Traffic coming from Żabbar  will be diverted onto Triq il-Foss or Triq 10 ta’ Settembru.   Public Transport coming from Żabbar, will be diverted from Hompesch Gate, Taċ-Ċawsli direction to Bulebel, Triq 10 ta’Settembru, Triq Kurunell Mas, Triq San Tumas and follow the normal route to Paola. Same diversion applies for the return journeys.   Drivers are advised to proceed with caution.  Any inconvenience is regretted.   For further information, kindly visit the following link: http://goo.gl/ujB20x     Sliema 01 February 2015   Transport Malta notifies that due to works near Sliema Police Station, Triq Rudolph Sliema will be closed to traffic on Sunday 1st February2015between 09:00hrsand 10:00hrs.   Vehicular trafficcoming from Gżira will be diverted toTriq Manwel Dimech. Traffic coming from The Strand may proceed to Triq Ġuze’Ellul Mercer ontoTriq Rudolph.   Public Transport will be diverted as follows:   Route 21 – Buses coming from Valletta will be diverted from Triq Testaferrata onto Sliema Ferries. No service will be provided at Triq Savoy and Triq Dingli. The return journey will depart from Sliema Ferries and will be diverted onto TriqManwel Dimech, TriqSavoyandTriq D’Argens. No service will be provided at Triq it-Torriand Triq Adrian Dingli.   Route 110 – Buses proceeding from San Gwann to Sliema Ferries will be diverted from Triq Sliema to Triq D’Argens, near the Gżira Old Stadium,The Strand,Sliema Ferries, Triq it-Torri, back to Tigne and Sliema Ferries.   Motorists are advised to proceed with caution. Any inconvenience is regretted.   For further information, kindly visit the following link: http://goo.gl/3Nh2Fi                     Iklin 02 February 2015       Transport Malta notifies that phase 3 of the National Flood Relief Project at the Lija/Iklin area will commence on Monday 2nd February 2015. These works are scheduled to be completed within three weeks.   In connection with these works, part of Triq Wied Hal Balzan, from Triq Ġulju Cauchi up to Triq Wiġi Muscat, will be closed totraffic. All vehicular traffic coming from Balzan towards Mosta will be diverted onto Triq Ġulju Cauchi, Triq Dun Ġwann Żammit Hammet, Triq L-Għerusija and onto Triq Wiġi Muscat to reach Iklin roundabout and proceed with the normal route to Triq in-Naxxar. Vehicular traffic coming from Mosta and B’Kara By Pass to Mosta will not be affected.   The National Flood Relief Project aims at tackling problems of flooding in three rain water catchments which affects directly twelve different localities.   Motorists are advised to proceed with caution. Any inconvenience is regretted.   For further information, kindly visit the following link: http://goo.gl/DOhNpt     END Read more

27/Jan/2015 at 09:32 Press Release 27th January 2015 - Malta Flag record performance in 2014     Malta Flag becomes the 6th Largest Merchant Ship Register in the World and consolidates its position as largest in Europe with record performance in 2014   Transport Malta, the Authority responsible for the Malta Ship Register, reports a strong and positive performance for 2014.   According to the latest official statistics, Malta has now become the 6th largest Ship Register worldwide whilst further consolidating its position as the largest Register in Europe. In 2013, Malta ranked in the seventh place. In fact, as at end of the year, the Maltese Register of Shipping registered an increase of almost 6.5 million gross tonnage representing a growth rate of 12.5% over the previous year, which had also reported record figures.   As at end of December 2014, the registered gross tonnage under the Merchant Shipping Act was 57.9 million gross tons with over 2,500 merchant vessels fly the Maltese Flag. By end of 2014, the Authority had processed over 191,376 applications from officers serving or wanting to serve on Maltese ships, for the issue of endorsements attesting to the recognition of their certificate of competency issued by a foreign Administration. Of these, 16,639 were processed in the year under review.These statistics represent record figures for the Malta Flag and a significant achievement for the Malta Flag Administration.   Malta has also continued to consolidate its position on the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU White Lists. During 2014, the Malta flag registered very positive results in terms of port State control performance, thus reinforcing the quality of its registered fleet and its firm commitment towards safe, secure and clean shipping. This is also a result of drive by the Maltese shipping community to attract more young and innovative tonnage to the fleet. The average age of merchant ships registered under the Merchant Shipping Act was of 7 years, thus decreasing the average age of all the registered merchant fleet to 12 years.   Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Joe Mizzi, commented “this status was achieved thanks to the efforts of all stakeholders including shipowners, seafarers, the efforts of the personnel of Transport Malta, particularly those at the Merchant Shipping Directorate and a joint effort by the Authority and the Maltese Shipping community to attract serious companies to the Maltese Register.  The fact that the Malta Flag Administration has managed to concurrently increase both its growth rate and enhance the technical performance of its registered fleet further confirms the Authority’s adopted strategy to focus on quality. Year on year record growth figures further consolidate the Island’s register as the flag of choice of the major International ship-owning companies and re-affirms Malta’s reputation as a leading maritime nation.  I take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders for their contribution and confidence shown in the Malta flag.”   Today, the Malta Register has also become a world leader in commercial yachts registration where Malta has also registered positive results. Despite the current financial situation worlwide, the Malta flag registered an increase of 13.6% over the previous year, in the registration of superyachts of over 24 metres in length. As of the end of December 2014, the superyacht fleet flying the conspicuous Maltese cross worldwide was 452.   Mr Piscopo concluded: “these positive results encourage us to work harder to ensure that Maritime Malta continues to benefit from the associated positioning within these international sectors, both from the substantial direct foreign revenue and value added in the economy. These results also represent yet another milestone towards further consolidating Malta as an international centre of maritime excellence in the Mediterranean.”   END   Read more

19/Jan/2015 at 13:58 Press Release 19th January 2015 - Temporary Road Closure Balzan     Transport Malta notifies that due to construction works, Triq Idmejda (as from HSBC Balzan branch) will be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday 20th January 2015 between 09:00hrs and 16:00 hrs.   Bus Route 106 will be diverted from Balzan square (behind the church) to Triq Guze’ Bonnici, Triq Antonio Micallef, Triq Wied Hal Balzan, Triq Birbal and will follow the normal route to Ta’ Qali.  Return journey will not be affected.   Motorists are advised to proceed with caution.   Any inconvenience is regretted.   For full details kindly visit: http://goo.gl/65Fpqs     END   Read more

16/Jan/2015 at 17:05 Five Bids Submitted for the Construction of a New Junction at Kappara Following the issue of a Tender for Construction of a Grade Separated Junction at Kappara last September, which closed yesterday, Transport Malta has received bids from five consortia.   The Bids received are the following:   1.             Kappa Jv 2.             SJ Kappara J.V. 3.             Tirrena Scavi S.p.a. 4.             K7JV 5.             Pons PST Malta JVC   Works on the project,which is co-funded by the EU and aimed at easing the traffic flowat Kappara junction, will be divided in various phases.  Works will start once the adjudication process by the Department of Contracts is finalised and on completion of the Coast Road Reconstruction project.   END     Read more