Port reform : a Maltese perspective the way forward

Abstract

The need for a reform in the Maltese Ports had been felt for a long time. It was not only directly affected entities like the Federation of Industries or the Chamber of Commerce that advanced this request, but also other entities which were in some way or other affected by what happens in our ports. The service providers themselves felt the need to re-organize their practices to reflect modem trends, more so in the light of Malta's accession to the EU. This thesis shall start off by providing a historical and legal background of various port service providers to help expound the situation before the reform. Next it shall examine the early general background of the port reform by referring to the reports commissioned to form its agenda with the participation of all those concerned. Thus it cannot fail to refer to the Government's vision for the reform in the light of Malta's application to join the EU. Two particular hurdles needed to be overcome in the discussions leading to the reform. One was the fact that most service providers enjoyed a state of monopoly, and the other was the concept born and bred in Maltese ports in the sixties, namely workers' participation in decision taking concerning the running of the port. Understandably, this was strongly opposed by the service providers and it is interesting to see to what extent the reform succeeded in overcoming these obstacles. The third step is to analyze the agreements reached with various Port service providers, namely Port Workers, Ship board & Shore Foremen, Tally Clerks and Delivery Clerks, with particular emphasis on the agreement reached with Port Workers. Following this, attention will be given to the challenges to the agreements reached. By way of conclusion, a way forward shall be proposed.