Sixteen groups ranging from yacht marina operators to the ferry company and ship repairers have expressed interest in the regeneration of the Marsa Menqa.

Last May, Projects Malta issued a vague call for expressions of interest for the creek, and through various requests for clarification from the prospective bidders during the process, it has now emerged that the former Sea Malta building will also be part of the concession.

The interested entities that submitted their details are Creek Developments, Marsa Maritime Village Consortium, Manoel Island Yacht Yard, Valletta Gateway Terminals, Palumbo Group, Melita Power Diesel, Hili Ventures, Gritprop Investments, S&D Yachts, Virtu Holdings, Porte de Malte Consortium, IN21 Group, WIM Services, AX Holdings, Grand Harbour Marina and Marsa Regeneration Consortium.

It is the intention of the government to gather as many ideas as possible

Projects Malta said that it would give preference to “innovative activity and activities which would regenerate the area”, adding that all ideas would be considered, including commercial and residential use.

“At this stage, it is the intention of the government to gather as many ideas as possible in order to be able to formulate the best way forward,” it said.

It did not establish the length of the concession, saying it was up to the bidders to propose the emphyteutical duration, but said it must not exceed 50 years.

The transformation of the Menqa was one of 20 projects outlined in former Nationalist minister Austin Gatt’s Grand Harbour Regeneration Plan in 2007, at the time estimated to cost Lm500 million and was expected to create 5,000 to 6,000 new jobs.

One of the uses envisaged was a marina with a walkway around the area, which has languished for years in the shadow of the power station, now decommissioned.

Projects Malta has said that while the Planning Authority’s master plan for the area has to be respected, ideas requiring changes to the local plans could be considered.