TM, AUM asked to explain berthing facilities along Cospicua waterfront

Momentum has written to Transport Malta and the American University of Malta seeking clarifications on the management, operation, and authorisation of marina and berthing facilities along the Cospicua waterfront.

A key concern is whether boat owners paid any fees for berthing spaces along the waterfront, and who has received this money, the party said.

Momentum has asked Transport Malta to provide detailed information, including:

• The legal owner and/or operator of the marina and berthing facilities in front of AUM.
• The number of berthing spaces officially authorised by Transport Malta in this area.
• The dates of issue and duration of licences or permits for these berthing spaces.
• Any inspections, enforcement notices, or actions taken by Transport Malta concerning unauthorised moorings.
• Current plans or applications for the regularisation, expansion, or modification of berthing facilities along the Bormla waterfront.

Momentum has also sought clarification from AUM regarding its role in the management or operation of the berthing facilities. It asked:

• Whether AUM owns, leases, manages, operates, or otherwise exercises control over marina or berthing facilities, including the sea and airspace adjacent to its campus.
• The number of berthing spaces currently in use, and whether these are authorised by Transport Malta.
• Any payments received by AUM for berthing, as well as records of correspondence, inspections, or enforcement notices from Transport Malta.
• Knowledge of any unauthorised moorings and actions taken to address them.
• Any current or planned proposals for the establishment, regularisation, expansion, or modification of berthing facilities.

Last week the AUM claimed ownership of a stretch of sea in front of its Cospicua campus, ordering boat owners to remove their vessels from the water. A notice posted near the AUM building said boats berthed within its “private water space” must be removed by not later than February 28. 

The government said it would defend the interests of boat owners and was taking up the issue with the AUM. 

Momentu last week questioned how permit permits could have been issued by Transport Malta in front of the AUM, if the area belonged to the university.   

"If the sea legally belongs to AUM, on what basis were these berths granted? Who authorised them? And who financially benefited from this arrangement?" the party said.