Through a €6 million investment financed by Transport Malta, a number of radars were upgraded at sites around Malta and Gozo while the hardware and software in the two control centres were replaced.

The investment also includes a ten-year maintenance agreement with the supplier, stated Minister for Transport, Chris Bonett, during a visit to the offices of Transport Malta (TM) in Marsa, where he also closely followed the operation of the Vehicle Traffic Services (VTS).

The VTS system is a crucial component of the country’s maritime infrastructure. This system ensures safe and efficient monitoring of vessel movements in Maltese territorial waters, in compliance with the Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information Systems (VTMIS) Directive and the highest international standards.

The operation of the VTS in Malta is divided into three:

Mgarr Local Port Service (VHF Channel 10): Oversees port operations in Gozo, ensuring smooth coordination between Gozo Channel vessels and smaller vessels.

Valletta VTS (VHF Channel 12): Responsible for monitoring the movements of ships in Maltese territorial waters, including the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett.

Marsaxlokk VTS (VHF Channel 14): Manages the traffic of ships, mostly merchant, in the area of southern Malta.

It was explained that with advanced radar sites and modern control centres, VTS plays an essential role in our country maintaining its status as a leading maritime hub in the Mediterranean.

Minister Bonett commended Transport Malta’s efforts to strengthen maritime safety, saying that “the investment in the VTS system is a testament to Malta’s strong commitment to modernising its maritime sector. By investing in advanced technology and strengthening international collaboration, we are ensuring safer seas and a more sustainable future for our maritime industry. All of this is crucial for Malta to remain a centre of excellence in the Mediterranean Maritime sector.”

“These investments will enable sea transport, which is very important for our country, because it is the source through which we do business with other countries and receive goods to us, to now have a more technologically advanced system to monitor in a more efficient and sustainable manner,” concluded Minister Bonett.

Transport Malta CEO Kurt Farrugia said that “with this investment, Transport Malta will be able to better monitor Maltese waters in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM), so that our country’s territorial waters have full protection.”

Captain Fritz Farrugia, Chief Officer and Harbour Master within Transport Malta, explained how “with the VTS system and through the external sites in which we have systems of sensors, radars, AIS (Automatic Identification System) and VHF, we are in a position to see and manage the movements of ships in the ports and Maltese territory, thus ensuring that ships arrive on time and there are no delays in the ports.”

Beyond local operations, the VTS centre in Malta actively participates in international collaborations, taking part in joint exercises and forming partnerships with neighbouring countries to improve cross-border coordination and emergency response.

Photo: DOI/Kevin Bugeja

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