Ninety per cent of Sea Malta's customers see the shipping company as having an important commercial and strategic role to play in Maltese industry, according to a Sea Malta survey.

Seventy-six per cent agree that it is an important link in the supply chain management of industry.

The survey, aimed at outlining the changing requirements of customers, was carried out recently among Federation of Industry members who use the company's services.

A total of 59 companies responded to the survey, 90 per cent of which make regular use of at least one service offered by Sea Malta.

Sea Malta chairman Marlene Mizzi said the results clearly underlined that the strategy adopted by the company was yielding the desired results both in terms of the standard of services provided, as well as by way of business development.

FOI president Anton Borg said the survey was a typical example of the result of cooperation between the federation and one of its members in its bid to ensure that industry's requirements to transport raw materials and finished goods were met.

Sea Malta general manager Joe Bugeja said the interviews were conducted on a personal basis over a three-week period between November and December 2002.

He said 81 per cent of respondents stated they were satisfied with Sea Malta's services.

"Not only were the employees perceived to provide a well-above average level of service, but there was also appreciation for some members of staff who regularly went out of their way to accommodate the clients' requests in a most effective manner."

The survey highlighted that the Spanish ports of Barcelona and Valencia, followed by Libya, were the other Mediterranean ports that customers would prefer the company to start operating to.

Respondents also requested to be kept informed when their containers were delayed.