The first phase of work on Pinto 4 and 5 was completed ahead of a busy season.

The initial phase of the Pinto 4 and 5 quay extension project was successfully completed ahead of a busy season. Infrastructure Malta's dedicated efforts to extend the Pinto 4 and 5 quays in the Grand Harbour have started to yield results as of the second quarter of this year.

This milestone was achieved at the onset of the peak tourism season, allowing cruise liners to benefit from the newly constructed facilities at this section of the port following the completion of the first phase in April. The second phase of the project shall pursue the reconstruction and extension of the adjacent Lascaris quay.

In May, follwoing just a month from the completion of the first phase, the shore-to-ship power system was extended to this quay with the installation of equipment that allows cruise liners to connect to onshore electricity. This project is co-financed by the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility. This investment, which is now benefiting cruise liners docking at Pinto 4 and 5, is improving air quality for approximately 17,000 households in the surrounding area.

Once the entire infrastructure work is completed at Pinto 4 and 5 and Lascaris, with an investment of approximately €25 million co-financed by the European Cohesion Fund, the project will deliver a single quay approximately 350 meters in length. This will provide expanded space and improved facilities for cruise liners to dock at Pinto 4 and 5, as well as the newly restored Lascaris quay, which was previously collapsed but will soon be available for other vessels.

Given the unprecedented demand for quay space at the Grand Harbour, the decision was made to phase the works at Pinto 4 and 5, with temporary pauses to minimise disrupting cruise operations.

Both quays, located near the Customs House and the Valletta Waterfront, are being extended by 15 meters outward. This will allow larger vessels to dock without requiring the use of barges between the quays and the ships for passenger embarkation or disembarkation.

Throughout the implementation stage, professional divers have been playing a key role in the construiction of these quays.  The expertise of divers is being used for placing large structures underwater that will serve as the foundation for the critical infrastructure. This work is being carried out at an average depth of 20 meters, where concrete structures will be joined to the existing quay.

This project, designed to meet the needs of the cruise liner industry, aligns with the government's broader commitment to the regeneration efforts around the Grand Harbour.