Local oil trading companies are objecting to a new deal struck between the government and a leading international fuel company for the exclusive use of storage facilities of state-owned Mediterranean Oil Bunkering Services.

Last October, the government signed a ‘strategic partnership agreement’ with World Fuel Services – an American company and a leader in fuel supplies – for the exclusive use of MOBC facilities in Marsa.

The deal was struck directly between the government and the foreign company without the issue of a public tender.

The Sunday Times of Malta is informed that various companies involved in the Association of Shipping Agents and the Chamber of Commerce have protested, insisting that a tender should have been issued.

However, in an exchange of correspondence seen by this newspaper, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi said he could not issue a tender as “all local bunkering companies are involved in some kind of court action or are currently under investigation”.

More in The Sunday Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.

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