Grimaldi sees 32% increase
Malta Motorways of the Sea, a Grimaldi company, saw a 32 per cent increase in trailer traffic in 2007 over 2006, managing director Ernest Sullivan said. The increase was partly due to the increase in port connections, with two sailings per week to...
Malta Motorways of the Sea, a Grimaldi company, saw a 32 per cent increase in trailer traffic in 2007 over 2006, managing director Ernest Sullivan said.
The increase was partly due to the increase in port connections, with two sailings per week to Genoa, two to Civitavecchia, four to Catania and one covering Salerno and Libya.
"No doubt connections helped to create a modal shift from container traffic to trailers," Mr Sullivan said.
"It is now more feasible for trailers to travel by sea further north to Civitavecchia and Genoa as this represents considerable savings on fuel and tolls. Export trailers from Malta can be in the Northern European region or the UK in just four or five days - and the network is very reliable."
He said that other factors also helped, such as incentives for midweek services and more capacity. MMS is currently operating fast vessels that can cater for a minimum of 200 trailers per trip. MMS has also seen more domestic cargo leaving by trailer that used to ship in containers from the Freeport.
"The ports have also become more efficient, which ensures a quick vessel turnaround. The Malta Dockers' Union has been very receptive and we have a very healthy relationship with them as well as with port operators Valletta Gateway Terminals. This has enabled us to improve various aspects and to simplify a number of systems such as administration and invoicing. And of course, the Customs Department is also helping us to simplify procedures."
The company was set up in November 2005 and owns 11 vessels, while the extended Grimaldi family employs over 40 Maltese. These include personnel employed in managerial and operational positions with Sullivan Maritime as well as seafaring personnel currently on board the Grimaldi vessels.
"MMS has made a conscious effort to be an integral part of the business community in Malta. It is a strategic partner of the Federation of Industry and supports cadet training at the Maritime Institute, enabling them to do sea time of the MMS vessels and those of other Grimaldi companies," Mr Sullivan said.
"We recent invested €133,000 to upgrade the institute's training simulator."
Grimaldi has orders for 32 ships worth over €2 billion, for delivery by the end of 2011. It recently bought a major stake in Minoan Lines.
Mr Sullivan is very optimistic about future business and network developments within the Mediterranean basin. The Grimaldi Group and MMS have very ambitious plans for the further development of the "motorways of the seas" and short sea shipping services towards the East Med and Balkan States. This concept takes into account Malta's strategic geographical location and the development of further business. The idea of 'motorways of the sea' is an EU effort to achieve sustainable mobility by interconnecting peripheral ports witin the region.
The East Med. development will embrace the ports of Patras, Igoumenitza and the historical motorway Via Egnatia. The group's objectives will also extend coverage of south Adriatic ports to Istanbul.
"This will be a great opportunity for the development of new business and the industry at large. Malta's decision to enter the eurozone will continue to assist the increase in cargo traffic and business opportunities," he said.
The increase was partly due to the increase in port connections, with two sailings per week to Genoa, two to Civitavecchia, four to Catania and one covering Salerno and Libya.
"No doubt connections helped to create a modal shift from container traffic to trailers," Mr Sullivan said.
"It is now more feasible for trailers to travel by sea further north to Civitavecchia and Genoa as this represents considerable savings on fuel and tolls. Export trailers from Malta can be in the Northern European region or the UK in just four or five days - and the network is very reliable."
He said that other factors also helped, such as incentives for midweek services and more capacity. MMS is currently operating fast vessels that can cater for a minimum of 200 trailers per trip. MMS has also seen more domestic cargo leaving by trailer that used to ship in containers from the Freeport.
"The ports have also become more efficient, which ensures a quick vessel turnaround. The Malta Dockers' Union has been very receptive and we have a very healthy relationship with them as well as with port operators Valletta Gateway Terminals. This has enabled us to improve various aspects and to simplify a number of systems such as administration and invoicing. And of course, the Customs Department is also helping us to simplify procedures."
The company was set up in November 2005 and owns 11 vessels, while the extended Grimaldi family employs over 40 Maltese. These include personnel employed in managerial and operational positions with Sullivan Maritime as well as seafaring personnel currently on board the Grimaldi vessels.
"MMS has made a conscious effort to be an integral part of the business community in Malta. It is a strategic partner of the Federation of Industry and supports cadet training at the Maritime Institute, enabling them to do sea time of the MMS vessels and those of other Grimaldi companies," Mr Sullivan said.
"We recent invested €133,000 to upgrade the institute's training simulator."
Grimaldi has orders for 32 ships worth over €2 billion, for delivery by the end of 2011. It recently bought a major stake in Minoan Lines.
Mr Sullivan is very optimistic about future business and network developments within the Mediterranean basin. The Grimaldi Group and MMS have very ambitious plans for the further development of the "motorways of the seas" and short sea shipping services towards the East Med and Balkan States. This concept takes into account Malta's strategic geographical location and the development of further business. The idea of 'motorways of the sea' is an EU effort to achieve sustainable mobility by interconnecting peripheral ports witin the region.
The East Med. development will embrace the ports of Patras, Igoumenitza and the historical motorway Via Egnatia. The group's objectives will also extend coverage of south Adriatic ports to Istanbul.
"This will be a great opportunity for the development of new business and the industry at large. Malta's decision to enter the eurozone will continue to assist the increase in cargo traffic and business opportunities," he said.