Malta’s logistics sector continues to grapple with a critical shortage of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers, a predicament that threatens the stability of the island’s supply chains and economic resilience.
The Association of Tractor and Trailer Operators (ATTO), representing 80% of Malta’s trailer operations, has been at the forefront of addressing this crisis.
Later this month, ATTO will be meeting the European Union’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) on the initiative of MEP Daniel Attard to discuss the ongoing challenges and specificities of the road transport sector in Malta in its internal and international dimension.
ATTO’s Chairman Joseph Bugeja emphasised the urgency of the situation, noting that approximately 80% of goods movement in Malta depends on international road transport.
“The shortage of drivers has now become a national issue,” underscoring the sector’s pivotal role in ensuring the smooth flow of goods to and from Malta.
This issue mirrors a global trend, as highlighted in a recent International Road Transport Union (IRU) report, which identified a gap of over three million truck drivers across 36 countries.
One of the primary challenges in mitigating the driver shortage is the bureaucratic complexity involved in hiring third-country nationals (TCNs).
“ATTO has called for a streamlined mechanism for issuing work permits to TCN drivers, highlighting that the lengthy and cumbersome processes place Malta at a disadvantage in securing qualified drivers,” pointed out Mr Bugeja while noting that many of these drivers do not reside in Malta permanently and therefore, would not exert additional pressure on national infrastructure, while still contributing to tax revenue.
“Having said that, it is also worth noting that ATTO has been receiving utmost support from Identità Malta and Jobsplus has been instrumental in putting processes on the fast track.”
Mr Bugeja added how beyond workforce shortages, Malta’s logistics sector is also contending with infrastructural limitations and stringent environmental regulations.
“The lack of space at Valletta’s Grand Harbour for roll-on/roll-off operations has been a persistent concern. Additionally, the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) Directive imposes significant costs on shipping companies, with estimates suggesting an added €408 per trailer for a round trip to Genoa.”
“These expenses disproportionately impact island nations like Malta, which rely heavily on maritime transport for imports and exports,” he added.
In response to these multifaceted challenges, ATTO has over the past year and a half been engaging in proactive dialogue with key stakeholders, including Maltese Members of the European Parliament and government ministers. The association has also collaborated with counterparts in Ireland and Cyprus to advocate for revisions in EU transport policies that consider the unique realities of island states.
Earlier this year, ATTO also hosted its first international transport and logistics conference, themed “Turning Challenges Into Opportunities,” aimed at fostering collaboration and developing strategic solutions to the sector’s pressing issues.
“We understand that the driver shortage in Malta’s logistics sector, as with most of the rest of Europe, is a complex issue exacerbated by bureaucratic hurdles, infrastructural constraints, and regulatory pressures. Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach, and this is why we shall keep advocating for EU policies that acknowledge the unique challenges faced by island nations.”
“Through continued collaboration and strategic initiatives, stakeholders aim to safeguard the sustainability and continuity of Malta’s crucial supply chain,” concluded Mr Bugeja.