The Government is seeking a professional team to draw up a master plan assessing the possibility of land reclamation near il-Ponta ta’ Bengħajsa, with a view to supporting Malta’s long-term economic, industrial, maritime and logistics development.Malta Investments & Economic Advisory (MIEA), acting on behalf of the Ministry for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects, has issued a tender for a lead professional services provider to carry out the 12-month assignment.The study will examine different potential reclamation options, land configurations and development scenarios, without committing the Government to a specific proposal.Potential Uses For Additional LandThe master plan will assess how additional land could potentially accommodate a range of strategic activities, including port and trade operations, warehousing, logistics, distribution, manufacturing and maritime industries.Other possibilities include the development of a prospective Free Trade Zone, energy-related activities and the relocation or reorganisation of suitable economic activities, with the aim of maximising long-term economic, commercial, fiscal and public-sector value.The appointed team will also examine market demand, potential investor interest, infrastructure and connectivity requirements, financing options and possible delivery structures.Environmental Considerations And International ComparisonsEnvironmental sustainability and climate resilience will form an integral part of the assessment, with the study expected to consider sea-level rise, coastal erosion, storm surges, extreme weather and the protection of marine and terrestrial biodiversity.It will also examine opportunities for biodiversity enhancement, nature-based solutions, the use of reclamation materials and circular-economy approaches.The tender calls for multidisciplinary expertise spanning master planning, coastal and marine engineering, port infrastructure, environmental assessment, economics, finance and regulatory matters.International developments in locations including Rotterdam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Busan, Copenhagen and Antwerp will be used as potential benchmarks, with lessons assessed in the context of Malta’s geography, environmental sensitivities, market and regulatory framework.No Reclamation Or Development Has Been ApprovedMIEA has clarified that the tender does not authorise land reclamation, construction or development.Instead, the exercise is intended to establish the technical, environmental, economic and commercial evidence required to inform future Government decisions. Any subsequent proposal would still have to undergo the relevant planning, environmental, regulatory and statutory approval processes.The procurement is being issued through an open procedure, with the contract expected to run for 12 months from the date of signature.Interested local and international professional teams can consult the full tender and submission requirements through the Government of Malta’s e-Procurement platform HERE.What do you make of this?•