The latest addition to Tug Malta's fleet, a €10.7 million tug boat weighing 80 tonnes, was yesterday christened Spinola by the Prime Minister's wife Kate Gonzi.
The tug is fully equipped with fire-fighting, oil recovery and salvage equipment, to be prepared for any emergency that may occur.
Tug Malta Ltd, formerly state-owned, was privatised to Italian company Rimorchiatori Riuniti Group. The Italian company invested more than €100 million to acquire all Tug Malta's shareholding and buy the new vessel and two others, expected for delivery next year.
The Spinola joined Tug Malta's fleet of six modern tugs.