Difficult chapter finally brought to a close.

(From Lloyds List)

Byline: The Malta Register, one of the world's largest, has emerged from some scrapes in recent years but is now looking stronger as a result

AFTER making deep changes in recent years with the rehabilitation of the fleet and improving various safety and security measures, another difficult chapter in Malta Maritime Authority's history has finally closed.

In June the French Court of Appeal at last dropped all charges initiated against the authority and its executive director, Lino Vassallo, in connection with the Erika disaster.

The proceedings were initiated by the French authorities following the shipwreck of the Maltese-registered vessel close to the coast of Brittany in 1999.

As the agency responsible for the Malta Register, it was a difficult time for all at the MMA, accused by the magistrate in charge of the investigation of 'endangering the life of others' and 'complicity of pollution'.

Ultimately, however, the Paris court ruled that the authority was an 'emanation' of the Maltese state and therefore the administration of the Maltese flag was covered by states' 'immunity of jurisdiction'.