Director (Maritime Affairs)

In terms of shipping and maritime activities, where will the Government focus the next investments?

We are looking at a number of different projects and it is not easy to highlight specific ones.  We are looking at the future use of the Western Arm, where cruise ships dock and possibly adding another jetty in that area.   All projects of this magnitude are very expensive, but we are looking at creating more space for maritime operations within the port.   While we have a lot of activity in both the West and Eastern anchorages, the actual port of Gibraltar is physically quite small.   Once you have taken into account the Naval base, Gibdock and the Detached Mole which is used primarily for laid up or arrested ships, the remainder of the port is really focused on the area of the North Mole, Number one Jetty and the associated smaller berths. So, there is a certain amount of congestion, with small boats, agency launches, tugs and other craft all vying for the little available wharfage.



How important is for the shipping industry to extend the port and bunkering activities to the East side of the Rock?

The Government is currently considering the extension of bunkering operations on the East Side of the Rock, as we have almost reached the limit of what can be done on the West side. We only have a certain number of anchorage slots in the Bay of Gibraltar and can only handle so many ships at any given time.   There is a need, therefore, to assess how we can develop the bunkering industry which makes up the bulk of our shipping business, but looking at a number of options and not just expanding into the Eastern Anchorage.  The Government has commissioned an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), which is taking place now and it will be some months before it is completed.  Work is about to start on extending and refurbishing the Cruise Terminal and the future use of the Western arm is also being considered.   Ultimately, it boils down to prioritising funds, so all these issues are being considered and when we’re in a position to do so, will announce how we are going to proceed.   



How do you see the Port of Gibraltar 15 years from now?

Hopefully as busy as it is today and being a major part of the economy of Gibraltar. I’d like to see more berths available for cruise ships, and more dockside activity in general. Hopefully, once the EIA has been completed, we will have a better focus on exactly where we are heading in the future with our bunkering industry.



Is the port of Gibraltar, like Le Monde suggested, an “environmental disaster waiting to happen”?

I wouldn’t say that at all. Gibraltar’s bunkering standards are extremely high and certainly higher than in many other major bunkering ports around the world. Gibraltar Port takes a very proactive approach to safety management and operates to the highest international standards in respect of bunkering.   All operations conform to the Gibraltar Bunkering Code of Practice, which goes well beyond international conventions such as ISGOTT.   Additionally, various measures in place include announced and unannounced inspections of ships, a licensing regime to ensure the very highest standards are maintained and regular exercises and drills to establish good working procedures.

I would say that that statement is completely untrue.



How would you describe your own management style?

I enjoy having a low profile and like to stay in the background. The Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA) is run by the Captain of the Port and the Gibraltar Maritime Administration (GMA) by the Maritime Administrator. I am here as a link between both of them and the Minister and vice versa. It is a busy and challenging role and I try to ensure that both the GPA and GMA work as cohesively and as efficiently as they can.  



What do you consider to be your biggest achievement during your time as CEO of the Port from 2000 to 2006?

I was mostly focused on the cruise ship industry and very pleased that during those six years I think I was able to increase Gibraltar’s profile as a cruise port, which I’m glad to say is reflected in the statistics.



What would be your personal message to the Ports & Harbors readers?

Anybody who does business with Gibraltar Port will see this is a very efficiently run and proactive sector of the community. Our geographical location has obviously helped us focus on the maritime industry, but without the entrepreneurial skills and enthusiasm of many people to help develop and drive the business forward, this would not have been possible.

We get approximately 10% of the 100.000 ships that transit the Strait of Gibraltar every year, which is really a very small percentage of the traffic.   We would obviously like to get more, but are constrained by lack of space both ashore and afloat. But the message nevertheless is: we welcome all companies to see for themselves how Gibraltar is a one-stop shop for maritime operations and activity and we know that they will be satisfied and pleased with the service they get, whether it be bunkering, crew changes, ship arrests, provisioning, repairs... you name it, we do it!

People know that Gibraltar is an extremely efficient and competent jurisdiction for arrested ships because, while in others parts of the world it can take months or years to settle a case, here it can be done within a matter of days. And time is money. We also have a hugely successful and Ship Register of the highest standards. Ships that are transferring from, for example, an EU flag to a non-EU flag, would normally expect the process to take months, but a vessel can be transferred from one EU country to Gibraltar, also an EU-flag and then from Gibraltar to a non-EU country in a couple of days.  



What are your plans to boost the growth of the yacht industry in the Port of Gibraltar?

We are planning to relaunch the Gibraltar Yacht Registry in 2012 and begin to actively encourage more megayachts to switch to the Gibraltar Flag or be registered here from the outset of their construction.   At present, most appear to fly the flag of the Cayman Islands, which like Gibraltar, is also a Red Ensign Category 1 Ship Register.   The internationally-recognised “Large Yacht Code” was introduced in Gibraltar during 2011, under which large yachts operating commercially, can benefit from a number of tax breaks.   We are certainly very keen to see how Gibraltar could become a major player in this sector.

The legislation is in place to be able to register megayachts and being a relatively small Register, we can offer a personal, one-to-one service that the larger jurisdictions cannot.