The Malta Maritime Authority (MMA) has launched a new environmental project aimed to further protect the sea and shoreline of Malta against possible oil and chemical pollution. This project, costing €1,000,000, will be implemented with the assistance of industry experts, Alpha Briggs Mediterranean Ltd., who have just been awarded the consultancy contract following a public call for tenders.

The project implementation will extend until the middle of 2009 and is 80% funded by the EEA Financial Mechanism (European Economic Area comprising Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland), with the MMA funding the remaining 20% of the project. Through this initiative, Malta would be enhancing its preparedness levels to deal with spills of oil and chemicals at sea and reducing its risk for environmental and economic damages that could arise from such spills.

This project will identify improvements that are needed to more effectively respond to oil and chemical spills - additional spill combat resources, protection strategies, personnel and training. The MMA works in close collaboration with the Civil Protection Department which is the entity responsible to take the lead in case of any disaster both natural and man-made. Existing spill combat inventories will be augmented by purchase of new equipment and materials in the second phase of the project. Programmes of training and drills will improve readiness for speedy and effective response. Recommendations shall be made for the National Contingency Plan to be revised and upgraded.

As part of the work programme, the experts are consulting with stakeholders - including concerned parties involved in tourism, fisheries, ports and harbours, bunkering and fuel distribution, environmental protection organizations, electricity and water suppliers, and other agencies - in order to seek their views and identify priorities. The first of a series of meetings has already taken place and more will take place over the coming weeks and months.