Work on Malta Freeport’s Terminal 2 expansion project is progressing, marking the first major extension of the facility in 20 years.

The €56 million investment will extend the north quay by 176 metres and the west quay by 195 metres through land reclamation. Once complete, the expansion will allow the Freeport to handle the latest generation of mega containerships, some of which are over 400 metres long and carry up to 24,000 containers.

The project involves the installation of 11 large caissons to create new quay structures in open sea conditions. Seven of these have already been submerged, forming part of the reclaimed land needed for the extension.

Since its privatisation in 2004, Malta Freeport Terminals has invested around €400 million in infrastructure and equipment. The facility currently handles close to three million containers a year, serves more than 110 ports worldwide, and provides employment to about 1,500 people.

As part of the expansion agreement, the Freeport has committed to limit operations at Terminal 1, closer to residential areas in Birżebbuġa, by restricting the use of quay cranes there and operating the terminal only during daytime hours. The company has also pledged €300,000 towards community projects.

In recent months, Malta obtained EU funding for the second phase of a Freeport project that will let cargo ships switch off their engines and plug into electricity from the quays.

Prime Minister Robert Abela recently visited the Freeport to observe progress on the works. He was accompanied by Economy Minister Silvio Schembri and Transport Minister Chris Bonett, with Malta Freeport Terminals CEO Alex Montebello providing an update on the development.