Shipyards CEO's contract not renewed

Malta Shipyards chief executive Christopher Bell has relinquished his post and reportedly left the island in search for new pastures, after government refused to renew his contract. A spokesman for the Ministry for Investments, Transport and Communications (MITC) confirmed that Bell’s contract expired in June last year, however it was extended for another year, to coincide with the completion of a major ship conversion project.
The ministry said no new call for applications for a new CEO has been issued, and that Bell’s contract was not renewed due to the shipyards’ privatisation. “Work on a major conversion contract has been completed recently. Therefore, the Board of Directors felt that on such basis, amongst others, it should not renew Bell’s contract,” the spokesman said.
Regarding the current state of business at the yard, the ministry said work is continuing on super yachts, and on “some” ship repair, as well as in Manoel Island. “In parallel, preparations are progressing in the privatisation of the facilities,” the ministry said.