Sea Malta assisting local industry to enhance services

"Sea Malta is aware of the day-to-day difficulties encountered by local importers and exporters who do not have the right resources and set-up to deal with the daily management of import and export procedures.

"In this regard, Sea Malta is offering all its experience and know-how in order to support small businesses who need to improve their opportunities for expansion," Sea Malta Chairman Marlene Mizzi commented while opening a half day seminar aimed at staff employees from a wide array of organisations.

The scope of the seminar was to provide basic and practical information on a number of shipping-related procedures.

Addressing the seminar, which was held in conjunction with the Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprises (IPSE), Mrs Mizzi outlined how the shipping industry has always played a major role within Malta’s island economy.

"Of course, when compared to other countries on the continent, Malta lies at a clear cut disadvantage. Throughout its 29 years of operation, Sea Malta, has sought to enhance the level of efficiency in its service in order to help Maltese entrepreneurs compete with their foreign counterparts,’" she explains.

The seminar was also addressed by IPSE Chairman George Borg, who praised Sea Malta’s ongoing efforts in promoting the advantages brought by the local shipping industry. He also commended Sea Malta for taking an active role in supporting local small businesses and encouraged other major players in the industry to follow suit because ultimately, this leads to an enhanced and healthier economy.

A presentation by Sea Malta General Manager Joseph Bugeja provided a general overview of Sea Malta’s commercial activities and on shipping in general. Mr Bugeja described how throughout the years, Sea Malta has managed to grow into a major player within the local shipping industry and gradually embraced the one stop shop concept.

"Since its inception, Sea Malta has learnt to gradually adapt to new market trends and conditions and also to tap emerging and viable niche markets. This was the main factor that helped the company develop further in order to be in a position to enhance its product portfolio," says Bugeja.

Other speakers addressing the seminar included Sea Malta Assistant General Manager Jesmond Zammit who talked about cargo routing, customs clearance and cargo release. During his presentation Zammit gave an overview of what does it entail to import and export merchandise to and from Malta. He touched on various aspects of the documentation processes involved as well as on the multiple stages in the handling of merchandise.

Arthur Manders, Director of Flagstone Insurance Brokers, sought to highlight various topics relating to the insurance of cargo with a particular focus on merchandise moving by maritime transportation. At the end of the seminar, all participants had the opportunity to participate in an interesting workshop discussion.