15 - 21 June 2000

Drydocks chairman silent over Libya visit

by Franco Aloisio

Malta Drydocks chairman John Cassar White yesterday said he would not be commenting on any developments concerning the dockyard following the sacking of chief executive officer Barry Johnson.

Mr Cassar White was contacted by The Malta Business Weekly following his arrival from Libya where he had talks aimed at attracting new work at the Malta Drydocks.

He said he had nothing to comment, and added that the Malta Drydocks has, over the last days, been overexposed to its detriment. Mr Cassar White was referring to the reports in the media following the sacking of Mr Johnson, and the subsequent reaction of the former chief executive.

Apart from the news that Mr Johnson was fired, the financial situation of the dockyard was exposed last week. The Drydocks said the financial situation was not improving, while productivity was still not high.

The 'yard lost Lm0.5m in the five- month period between January and May 2000, despite increasing turnover by Lm1m. These figures were contested by Mr Johnson who, in an interview with The Malta Independent, said that his section - the shiprepair section - had improved its performance. He blamed the losses on other sections, such as the enterprises section.

Meanwhile, in Libya, Mr Cassar White held talks with a number of prospective clients. A dispute between the Malta Drydocks and the Libyan authorities on a bill regarding the repair of Libyan cranes was also discussed, sources said. Once the dispute is settled, work contracts from the Libyan could be attracted to the 'yard once again.

Other visits in North African countries, such as Tunisia and Algeria, will be organised in the coming weeks to further attract work to the Malta Drydocks. In the meantime, Malta Drydocks is still actively looking for a new chief executive for the shiprepair section, while the human resources section is to be strengthened.