In view of the recent reports in the media, we have to make a press statement to clarify our position.

 

We are disappointed to hear that many people seem to put commercial interest and convenience ahead of safety.

 

There is never a right time to make a seemingly difficult & unpopular decision, but it was a clear cut decision in this case because we, at VGT, value safety and thus the safety, of the 1600 cruise passengers, the 500 cruise ship’s crew, and countless other people working on the dock. We also value the wellbeing of our workers and want to ensure that no accidents arise from careless decisions. We want them to work with the assurance that their safety are not jeopardised by irresponsible actions of the management.  We cannot guarantee that accidents will never happen but we have and will continue to take steps that will prevent  incidents that may endanger their safety.

 

We are aware of the repercussions of such a decision but the line has to be drawn. There is a saying, ‘Good advice always falls on deaf ears.’

 

With the passage of time (it has been more than 40 years since Deep Water Quay was built), the 11000 tons beyond the safety capacity of the berth as imposed by MMA, the unfavourable wind force that could cause the vessel to overstrain the structure of the quay, and the availability of a safer quay, it is obvious that it is not wise to berth the MSC Sinfonia at Deep Water Quay. We are fortunate that ‘nothing happened’, at least to the 1600 passengers and the 500 crew members of the ship but something has already happened. The quay has already been further weakened, and the possibility that something may happen is now higher. We do not want to endanger the lives of the people that arrive in the next ship. Or the workers that work daily on that dock.

 

Ignorance may lead to unwise decisions but we are not ignorant and are fully aware of the facts and thus will continue to make responsible decisions that ensure the smooth running of the port.  It is important that people understand that safety is important because it involves the safeguarding of lives, because the next life that may be affected maybe someone you know - a brother, father, son or a friend.

 

Please see below the detailed list of factors that led us this logical decision to not allowing the berthing of MSC Sinfonia at Deep Water Quay.

1)  Vessel Facts

Vessel displacement was 29000 tons. Capacity of DWQ 1,2,3 was established by MMA at 18000 tons and DWQ 4 at 25000 tons. Said vessel berthed from DWQ 2 to DWQ 4. Therefore the vessel was 11000 tons above the safety capacity of the berth as defined by MMA.

 

The wind force on Friday 5/5/07 was 5 to 7 East Northeast, blowing directly into Grand Harbour. With choppy waves and the large size of the vessel, the quay would be under tremendous stress.

3) DWQ weakened structure

2 months ago, part of DWQ (behind shed 1) collapsed due to an overloaded trailer carrying gypsum. The Gross Vehicle weight limit for inter EU traffic is 40 tons. This particular trailer was too heavy for a weighing on the local weighbridge so it’s weight could only be estimated as 70 Tons.

 

If an overweight trailer can caused such damage, imagine how much damage a  huge vessel which is 11000 tons over the safety limit could cause.

 

Arising from the deck-collapse incident, we commissioned a survey of DWQ and discovered that there were a total of 23 “weakened” spots in the entire of DWQ which need to be rectified.

 

Furthermore, DWQ was built in the 1960’s, officially opened in 1964, the quay is already more than 40 years old. 

The safety of 1600 passengers and its crew of around 500 were put to un-necessary risks. The parties concerned knew beforehand the limitations of the area and yet were blatantly willing to take the risk of damage to the vessel, quay face, fendering, and bollards by berthing the vessel at DWQ. This is not to mention the repercussions to Malta’s international reputation as a tourist destination if an incident that cause injuries and loss of lives were to occur as a result.   

5) A safer berth was offered

Days prior to the arrival of the vessel, VGT had already proposed a solution by offering an alternate berth at Magazine Wharf which has no limitations even though this would entail berthing the RoRo vessel MV Europa to Deep Water Quay and incur costs and resources to shift the transshipment cargo back to Laboratory wharf. But this was turned down. The probable reasons for this could be:

 

a) Magazine and Laboratory wharf are more industrial in appearance for tourists. However VGT considers safety issues paramount .

 

b) VISET will probably also state that MSC Sinfonia is not just a port of call, there are passengers disembarking at Malta and there will be Customs and Immigrations issues. Again, the question is, did VISET talk to Customs and Immigrations about this concern? I am sure the good people at Immigration and Customs will be more than willing to accommodate if it is just a procedures issue. I am sure that safety concerns should take precedence over procedures issue.

6) Hamilton’s Query

Hamilton asked why should the MSC Sinfonia be an issue when a much bigger vessel Opera (59000 tons displacement) was berthed last year at Deep Water Quay without any problem. Again this shows a blatant disregard for safety. The rated displacement as set by MMA, is rated at 18000 to 25000 tons displacement. By having such a huge vessel there, it placed tremendous stress on the quay, bollards and fenders. This will accelerate the already fragile conditions of the quay and hasten the wear and tear of the area. Just because nothing happen the last time doesn’t mean that we will be lucky every time. Are we to put the safety of the passengers, crews and those working in the vicinity to the test of luck?  Imagine the dire consequences if such big size vessel were to berth at Deep Water Quay on a regular basis.
  

If VGT had accepted the berthing of MV Sinfonia without protest, it would have exposed VGT to Third Party liability issues for which our issuers would have denied liability for technical reasons as the vessel was bigger than the capacity of the quay. Hence VGT asked MMA, who directed the berthing of the vessel, for a letter of indemnity which did not arrive. Therefore the vessel berthed under direction of MMA in violation of MMA’s own safety standards, and under protest from VGT.

 

Our insurer has specifically informed VGT that we are not covered for cruise linear operations as this is not part of our core business. We wrote to VISET 5 months ago requesting to include VGT in their insurance coverage but hitherto there was no reply. VGT should not be exposed to such a huge risk.