25 - 31 May 2000

Freeport signs agreement to run Brindisi terminal

Malta Freeport has signed an agreement to start operating a container terminal in Brindisi, in southern Italy.

The signing, which was held recently in Rome, granted Brindisi Terminal Italia SpA a 30-year lease to develop, manage and operate container handling operations in the harbour of Brindisi.

The company was established as a joint venture between Malta Freeport Terminal, which has a 40 per cent shareholding, Brindisi City Council (20 per cent) and the remaining 40 per cent shareholding is in the hands of a private Italian company specialising in the construction of container handling machinery and other port related equipment.

The Ministry for Economic Services yesterday said the principal role of the Malta Freeport will be to provide the relevant know-how and expertise to develop, manage and market the new container handling facilities in the Brindisi harbour.

The agreement was signed by Malta Freeport chairman Marin Hili and the President of the Brindisi Port Authority, in the presence of Minister for Economic Services Josef Bonnici.