Exploring EU and Local Funds Opportunities

10 July 2025

Maltese transport and logistics companies are very keen to identify best options to make use of EU and local funding opportunities to modernise their operations and reduce their environmental impact.

This message emerged during a seminar organised by the Association of Tractors and Trailers Operators (ATTO) for its members to help them explore how they can benefit from available EU schemes to work more sustainably and competitively.

The seminar was also addressed by several high-profile speakers, namely Hon. Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Minister for EU Funds, Shadow Minister Hon. David Agius, Claude Sammut, Director General, EU Funds, Cain Grech Sargent, Chief Business Development Officer at Malta Enterprise and Rodrick Zerafa, CEO, Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta.

In their respective interventions, all speakers underscored the strategic importance of supporting Maltese hauliers in overcoming structural and operational barriers through smarter use of available EU funding streams.

In his welcome address, ATTO Chairman Joseph Bugeja emphasised the importance of collective national efforts in protecting the industry from burdensome legislation.

He referred specifically to the EU proposed Directive regarding the return of tractor units to their base in Malta every 8 weeks, which ATTO and the Ministry for Transport successfully lobbied against and highlighted that Maltese international trailer operators continue to face unique challenges compared to their mainland counterparts. 

“Our geographic insularity imposes specific constraints — from dependency on ferry connections, to the high cost of sustainable fuels, and inflexible driver regulations. The current EU framework does not sufficiently account for these realities. This is a critical moment for the European Commission to recognise and act on these disparities,” he said.

Ing. Ronald Attard Pullicino, Director at Transport Malta, underlined the potential consequences had the Return of Vehicles been implemented locally. 

“Had the Directive been applied to Malta, transport companies would have faced an estimated 11% rise in operating costs — a burden that would have been passed on to consumers through higher prices,” he said.

He also addressed the sector’s hesitation in applying for funding, attributing it partly to perceptions that the process is long and bureaucratic. 

“While the process can indeed be demanding and resource-intensive, there is scope to design tailored schemes that can support the sector in its transition towards greener, digitalised, and more innovative practices,” he added.

In a concluding remark, Mr Bugeja added, “ATTO’s strength lies in unity and both the private sector and public authorities need to continue working collaboratively to ensure that Malta’s logistics sector, on which Malta’s economic growth depends, can continue to innovate, operate more sustainably and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving European transport landscape.”