The Maltese government has reopened the bidding process for Malta Super Yacht Services following the privatisation of Manoel Island Yacht Yard earlier this month.

Malta's Privatisation Unit, acting on behalf of the government, has launched a tender process for the granting of a 30-year concession for the yard's facility, which is comprised of two dedicated docks (one of which is installed with a high retractable cover), a number of workshops and site offices.

A tender submission deadline has been set for 12.00 CET on Wednesday, December 1, 2010. In order to participate in the tendering process, investors must collect a Call for Tender and Information Memorandum from the Privatisation Unit. The documentation will be made available against the signing of a confidentiality agreement and a fee of €5,000.

Operating since 2003, Malta Super Yacht Services was one of four units within Malta Shipyards — a government entity that lost nearly €1bn over the decades. The Maltese government cancelled its initial call for expressions of interest in the yard on February 3, 2010, after failing to attract a high enough bid.

Commenting on MSYS's current and future workloads, Joe Degabriele told SBN: "We have had a good season but we only have three boats in now as we have slowed right down for the summer. We finished our refit work on the Ice Lady and she left on July 12. There is a good volume of bookings for the autumn including a refit on an Explorer yacht."

As to the market state, he said: "It is not 2008 but this year will be better than last and the market is constantly improving."
Superyacht Business, 21 July 2010