Updated 1030
Malta-Flagged Tanker Damaged in Gulf Attack as Regional Tensions Hit Shipping: A Malta-flagged oil tanker briefly caught fire after being hit by shrapnel when a nearby vessel was attacked by Iran off Iraq’s coast. The Greek-owned Zefyros, sailing under the Maltese flag, was affected when the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu was targeted during ship-to-ship transfer operations, Transport Malta confirmed. The fire was quickly extinguished and all crew aboard the Zefyros were safe. Iraqi authorities said two tankers were sabotaged near Basra, with one crew member reported dead and dozens rescued. The incident comes amid escalating regional tensions and disruption to oil shipping routes in the Gulf. (Times of Malta)
Malta Employers Launch TalentSync to Tackle Skills Gaps: The Malta Employers Association has launched TalentSync, an EU-funded initiative aimed at better aligning workforce skills with industry needs. The project will analyse skills requirements in three sectors: aviation in Malta, food innovation in Ireland and tourism in the Netherlands. Building on work by the National Skills Council (Malta), it will produce sector reports to guide workforce planning, education and training strategies. Through study visits and workshops, employers will exchange expertise across countries. The project, funded by Erasmus+, aims to develop a transferable method for identifying future skills needs and strengthening labour market planning. (The Malta Independent)
Malta Property Sales Rise in February as Market Value Jumps 16.8%: Malta’s residential property market recorded 1,095 final deeds of sale in February 2026, up 6.1% from a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office (Malta). The total value of transactions reached €352.8 million, a 16.8% increase year-on-year. Individual buyers accounted for over 90% of deeds and 72.3% of market value. The highest activity was recorded in St Paul’s Bay, Birkirkara and Mosta, with apartments the most traded property type. Promise of sale agreements also increased by 6.2% to 1,328, with a total value of €458.8 million. (Newsbook)
Morning Briefing
Malta has €250 million buffer to absorb Gulf crisis impact – FinMin
Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said Malta has a €250 million “war chest” that could be used to cushion the economic impact of the conflict in the Gulf without jeopardising the country’s fiscal targets. Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Caruana explained that this funding would come on top of the €150 million currently spent annually on energy subsidies. During the 2022 energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Malta’s subsidy bill had reached €350 million. Caruana stressed that maintaining Malta’s commitment to reduce its deficit to below the EU’s 3% threshold is crucial to preserve this financial flexibility. His comments come amid concerns that rising oil and gas prices could affect consumers and the wider economy. *However, he noted that Europe is less dependent on Gulf energy than it was on Russian gas four years ago, with gas prices now around €50 per megawatt-hour, far below the €350 peak recorded in 2022. (Times of Malta)
Single Candidate for University Rector Post
Prof Frank Bezzina has emerged as the sole candidate for the upcoming election of the next Rector of the University of Malta. The university said on Wednesday that Bezzina received 15 nominations from members of the University Council after the call for nominations closed at noon. The council will meet in an extraordinary session on March 26, chaired by Karmenu Vella, when members will vote by secret ballot. Bezzina must secure at least 50% plus one of the votes to be appointed. Currently serving as Pro-Rector for International Development and Quality Assurance, Bezzina previously held roles as dean and deputy dean of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy and headed the Department of Management. His academic work focuses on organisational sciences and evidence-based management. Outside academia, he has held consultancy roles and currently serves as a non-executive director at the Central Bank of Malta. (The Malta Independent)
Doorstep BCRS Collection Scheme Extended Nationwide
A pilot scheme allowing senior citizens and blue badge holders to book doorstep collections of beverage containers has been extended to all localities in Malta and Gozo. The initiative, run by the Cleansing and Maintenance Division, was first launched in July in 30 localities before expanding to 40. Authorities have now confirmed it will operate nationwide. Residents eligible for the service can book a pick-up by calling 1718. So far, two vans operating under the pilot scheme have collected around 1.3 million containers. The service is now being expanded with six additional vans equipped with bulk-input technology developed by Hungarian company Returmatic. The vehicles will replace the earlier single-container system, allowing faster collections. Authorities aim to increase the number of households served daily from about 40 to around 60 through a dedicated call centre and a Maltese-built IT system managing booking. (TVM)
