Malta revises minimum towage requirements

The Merchant Shipping Directorate of Transport Malta has issued a notice revising the minimum towage requirements.

The notice was published on 14 June 2023 and it is addressed to ship owners and operators, ship agents, ship masters as well as terminals and marine facilities operators.

Mariners are advised that with immediate effect, the Towage Requirements - Revision 2.0 as specified in the table annexed to this Notice -Annex I & II shall apply within Maltese ports and their approaches.

The Authority reminds all that towage is regulated in terms of the Authority for Transport in Malta Act (Cap. 499) and the Towage (Tariff of Rates) Regulations (S.L. 499.49) of the Laws of Malta. Towage shall be under the supervision and regulation of the Authority at all times.

Cruise Liners, scheduled Liner Ro-Ro & Ro-Pax vessels, Authorised Bunker Barges and Authorised High Speed Craft (HSC) are normally exempt from minimum tug requirements, as specified in the Annex to this Port Notice, subject to Master/Pilot Information Exchange and vessels passage plan taking into account the prevailing weather circumstances and conditions.

The Authority may, under specific circumstances and on application, exempt a specific vessel/s from these minimum tug requirements.

Furthermore, in terms of the Harbour Towage Agreement, it is to be reminded that Tug Malta Ltd is the appointed exclusive harbour towage service provider, including tug assistance from one p01t to another, in the po1t areas defined in Part I and Part II of the Schedule to the Ports and Shipping Act (Cap. 352) and their approaches, and other emergency services.

In case of disabled vessels, cold moves or exceptional circumstances, tug requirements may be increased based on an assessment conducted by the Ship's Master and the Pilot and confirmed by the Harbour Master.

Day light restrictions apply in the case if specific berths and docking operations.

The Authority reserves the right to alter tug requirements as directed by the Harbour Master.