Malta Freeport’s €56 million Terminal 2 expansion is moving at pace, with Prime Minister Robert Abela visiting the site on Friday to view progress on one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the country’s maritime sector in two decades.

The project, which involves land reclamation to extend the north quay by 176 metres and the west quay by 195 metres, is designed to future-proof the Freeport by allowing it to handle the latest generation of mega containerships — vessels over four football pitches in length and capable of carrying up to 24,000 TEU containers.

Since its privatisation in 2004, Malta Freeport Terminals has invested around €400 million in its facilities. CEO Alex Montebello said the Terminal 2 expansion was “essential for the future of transhipment in Malta” and would bring lasting benefits to the economy. He highlighted the challenges of working in open sea conditions, noting that the project’s contractors, Polidano, had recently submerged the seventh of 11 massive caissons that will keep construction areas dry for the next phase of works.

The development is not only a boost to Malta’s maritime competitiveness but also promises community benefits. The Freeport has agreed to limit operations at the nearby Terminal 1 to daytime hours and to renounce its right to install certain quay cranes there, reducing noise for Birżebbuġa residents. In addition, it has committed a €300,000 contribution to the local community.

Environmental upgrades are also in the pipeline. The Freeport is working on an onshore power supply system, funded through the EU and the Ministry for the Economy, which will allow berthed ships to plug into the local grid, cutting both noise and emissions.

The facility has also introduced a state-of-the-art crane simulator from GlobalSim to train new recruits and upskill operators in a safe, controlled environment. The simulator replicates real-world quay and yard crane operations in sight, sound, and motion, enhancing workforce preparedness as container volumes continue to grow.

Malta Freeport currently serves more than 110 ports worldwide, including over 50 in the Mediterranean, and handles nearly three million containers annually. It employs more than 1,500 people directly and contributes an estimated €170 million — around 2% of Malta’s GDP — underscoring its role as a strategic driver of the economy.

Prime Minister Abela, accompanied by Economy Minister Silvio Schembri and Transport Minister Chris Bonett, toured the site and was briefed on the project’s milestones and its importance for Malta’s position as a leading regional transhipment hub.

Speaking at the Freeport, Abela described the expansion as “a landmark project that strengthens Malta’s role as a gateway between Europe and global markets.” He stressed that continued investment in infrastructure was critical to safeguard jobs and competitiveness, adding that the Freeport “is not just a hub for shipping lines but a pillar of Malta’s economy.”

The Prime Minister also underlined the government’s support for projects that balance economic growth with sustainability, noting that the Freeport’s onshore power initiative and commitment to the Birżebbuġa community were “examples of how strategic projects can deliver benefits well beyond their commercial impact.”