Editorial

The coming year will see a general administrative re-organisation of the port under a re-shuffle of Maritime activities which was commenced by the Gibraltar Government last year. Details of some of the new arrangements are set out together with those in charge of them in the relevant sections of the Handbook.

The increasing amount of container traffic soon to be engendered by large infrastructural port developments in Tangier and Algeciras has important repercussions for Gibraltar. It will lead to increased use of our bunkering activities particularly and other commercial and legal services associated with shipping generally including the Gibraltar class A registry.

Within the port area, land reclamation in Queensway and Marina Bay should enhance the leisure use of the safe and secure services offered to visiting yachtsman. Improvements planned for 2008 should also enhance facilities for the increasing number of Cruise ships and the thousands of visitors they bring.

This year should also see the commencement of development of the mini-harbour on the Eastern side of the Rock which again will provide for future sea-borne visitors. Flights to Madrid and a regular increased ferry service to Tangier makes the Rock an even more attractive hub for maritime business.

Dr. D.M. Sloma
Managing Editor