WATCH | PN promises offshore bunkering facility on Hurd's Bank

Hurd’s Bank lies just outside of Maltese territorial waters but forms part of Malta’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

During the press conference, the PN explained that Malta is situated right beside a maritime highway but isn’t capitalising on its advantageous position. 

Borg described the capital project as a win-win, noting that the project will add millions to Malta’s economy without placing burdens on infrastructure or the environment. 

He promised that the project would be functioning within the first legislature of a new PN government.

The Opposition stated that such a project would be made future-proof, as it would first cater for traditionally-fuelled vessels like those operating on LNG, but could then incorporate other fuel sources like hydrogen and ammonia.

Meanwhile, the PN's Maritime Spokesperson, Ivan Castillo gave a presentation on the project, which, he explained, will be financed through a public-private partnership and EU funds.

Castillo added that the project would create new jobs such as offshore engineers and safety officers. He stated that it will also create a spillover effect on other sectors, as Malta would be claiming and regulating Hurd's Bank, which he described as "no man's land."

Castillo explained that in the first 100 days of a PN government, an offshore clean fuels task force would be established. 

Meanwhile, maritime engineer and candidate Oliver Cini gave a more technical explanation of the project. He explained that the project is based on infrastructure such as a floating storage unit connected through a subsea pipeline to Delimara, a single-point mooring.