For centuries, Valletta has been Malta's main
gateway, being the only developed port to
handle all goods imported and exported from
the Island, all sea passenger traffic and
vessels arriving for repairs, bunkering, provisions
and other maritime services. The Grand Harbour
has however experienced a radical change as
a direct result of recent initiatives directed
at transforming Malta into a Mediterranean
hub. In fact, the past two decades have seen
the development of another port, in the south
of Malta, at Marsaxlokk Bay.
With the development of container handling
facilities therein, Marsaxlokk has taken
from Valletta a large share of the cargo
it previously handled. Consequently, Valletta
is directing its activities towards niche
markets like cruising, bunkering, and ro-ro
transhipment activity, which can exploit
the services it has to offer. Through privatisation
and corporatisation Valletta is steering
itself more and more towards a landlord
management structure in order to more effectively
achieve its commercial goals.
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