Updated 1210
Malta Maritime Sector Urges EU Rethink on Emissions Tax Rules: The Malta Maritime Forum has called on Maltese MEPs in Brussels to push for changes to EU emissions tax rules, warning they are harming Malta’s maritime connectivity and competitiveness. During a meeting hosted by Peter Agius, MEPs agreed the EU’s EU Emissions Trading System places a disproportionate burden on Malta’s shipping sector. Industry data shows vessels from the Far East pay about €102,000 more per call to Malta than to nearby North African ports outside the scheme. Forum officials warned the rules risk shifting business to non-EU hubs without reducing emissions, while undermining European and Maltese competitiveness. (Times of Malta)
Malta Studies Irish Work-Life Policies During Dublin Consultation Visit: A Maltese delegation led by Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul visited Dublin for talks on improving work-life balance policies. Meetings focused on remote working and the right to disconnect, with Ireland sharing its experience in these areas. The Maltese side also presented its miscarriage leave model, which Irish authorities are studying as they consider similar measures. Ellul also met Emer Currie and Dara Calleary. The visit comes as Malta gathers public input for its Work-Life Balance Reform, which has already received over 450 submissions. (The Malta Independent)
Cross-Party Support for Vision 2050, but Clash Over Tourism Limits: Malta’s long-term national strategy Vision 2050 received cross-party backing during a debate on RTK’s Attwalità, though disagreements emerged over planning and tourism limits. Economy Minister Silvio Schembri said the strategy aims to guide sustainable economic growth and higher-value employment. Opposition shadow minister Jerome Caruana Cilia supported the initiative but called for clearer planning and a defined tourism carrying capacity. Both sides agreed the 25-year plan should transcend political cycles, but differed on whether government should publish a firm limit on the number of visitors Malta can sustainably host. (Newsbook)
Meat and Drinks Push Malta Food Inflation as Shoppers Feel Supermarket Squeeze: Households in Malta continue to face pressure at the checkout as food prices fluctuate, driven largely by meat and beverages. A report by the Central Bank of Malta shows food inflation averaged 3.2% in 2025, while unprocessed food prices rose to 6.5% in December. Meat prices were a major factor, adding 0.2 percentage points to overall inflation and rising faster locally than in the euro area. Fruit and vegetable juices also recorded sharp increases. Despite higher inflation than the eurozone average, analysts say price pressures may gradually ease, with forecasts pointing to slower food inflation by 2028. (Maltatoday)
Morning Briefing
Four remanded in custody over €600,000 cocaine importation from Sicily
Four people have been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to charges related to the importation of 12.5kg of cocaine from Sicily, with police estimating the drugs had a street value of around €600,000. The accused are two Italian nationals, Agatino Claudio Roberto, 49, a fishmonger from Catania, and Daniela Portale, 42, a telephone company representative, together with two Maltese men, Keith Spiteri and Jide Mallia, both aged 26. Police said the Italian pair arrived in Malta by ferry from Sicily on Tuesday afternoon. Officers followed their vehicle to Gudja, where they met the two Maltese men. Investigators discovered the drugs concealed in a compartment within the vehicle and arrested all fou suspects on site. They were arraigned in court on Thursday and charged with associating to traffic cocaine, aggravated possession and participation in organised crime. All four denied the charges and were remanded in custody. (Times of Malta
Opposition grows to floating party platform ‘Noma Island’
Opposition is growing to the proposed offshore party platform known as Noma Island, with several mayors and at least one NGO raising concerns about potential environmental impacts and disturbance to nearby communities. The mayors of Sliema, St Paul’s Bay, Mellieħa, Marsaskala and St Julian’s have all expressed reservations about the project and said they plan to raise the issue at local council level. The platform, which has already arrived in Malta and is currently moored in Grand Harbour, is a motorised trimaran-style vessel featuring two large decks with a restaurant, bar-lounge and freshwater swimming pool. It is designed to host up to 350 guests, who would be transported to the anchored venue by private yacht or speedboat shuttle. Sliema mayor John Pillow strongly criticised the project, insisting the locality “is a residential community, not an offshore party”. Although the vessel has a commercial operator licence, it is restricted to static charters at anchor and cannot carry passengers while in motion. (The Malta Independent)
