The  Nationalist Party on Saturday expressed its concern about the lack of stability in the new shore-to-ship service for vessels berthed in Grand Harbour after cruise liners suffered power outages while connected to the national grid.

However, in a joint statement, Transport Malta and Enemalta denied the PN’s “false allegations” that there were any power outages affecting the shore-to-ship service or that there was any issue related to the electricity distribution grid.

While hailing the service as a “positive step forward in reducing pollution and improving air quality in ports”, the PN questioned the stability and reliability of the electricity supply.

The PN said it was informed that “a few weeks ago” a cruise liner experienced a sudden power cut while making use of this service.

“Thousands of passengers on board were left without electricity and all on board services were temporarily halted, creating total confusion and significant inconvenience for everyone,” the PN said.

The party added this was “not the first time” such an incident had occurred.

“Malta’s national electricity grid is unreliable,” the PN insisted, pointing out that even the Prime Minister himself has admitted that new demands on the grid, such as those from electric vehicles and the shore-to-ship system, were placing additional pressure on the grid and contributing to power outages.

The PN warned that if cruise liners begin avoiding the shore-to-ship service due to fears of blackouts, it could potentially lead to the “waste” of a €33 million project.

They also questioned the “unacceptable” lack of transparency on the blackout  which was “not immediately disclosed by the government”.

Responding to the PN’s allegations, Transport Malta and Enemalta said the shore-to ship service is offered to dozens of ships and is built on a basic operational system requiring every vessel to submit a load power declaration at least 48 hours before its arrival at port.

The declaration sets out the amount of energy a vessel would require to operate while in Malta.

Since its inauguration 12 months ago, the shore-to-ship system has “successfully” provided more than 3.7 million kilowatt-hors of energy to ships.

“This has been done without any issues related to the electricity supply from Enemalta,” they said in their joint statement.

“This project is the result of long-term vision and investment, and it is precisely projects like these that are making a tangible difference in modernising services and reducing pollution in the ports.”