The Falzon Group of Companies has been closely identified with the petroleum industry in Malta since the early 1950’s and its links with the Maltese maritime industry closely follow suit. Boasting a very central and strategic position on the Mediterranean map, Malta has always attracted more than its fair share of shipping traffic. Natural deep-sea ports and harbours, competitive port charges and a highly developed Freeport today further enhance the attraction of Malta as a favoured port of call. The currently ongoing developments of a new cruise terminal and a number of private marinas are a reflection of this. Moreover, besides offering maritime services within its ports and harbours, the Malta Maritime Authority has also designated five offshore bunkering areas around the Maltese Islands where passing sea traffic can avail itself of a number of services without having to substantially deviate its course.

As a result of Malta’s growth as a hub for maritime services coupled with the experienced and visionary leadership of the Falzon Group of Companies, the Group is today heavily involved in the provision of bunkers and related services to the marine industry, and this largely by virtue of three of its member companies namely Falzon Service Station Limited, San Lucian Oil Company Limited and Waste Oils Company Limited which offer a variety of highly professional and competitive services both within ports and harbours, particularly in the Grand Harbour and Freeport areas, as well as offshore Malta.

The marine industry serviced by the Falzon Group of Companies is composed not only of locally owned and operated vessels, but also and primarily so of vessels and sea-craft visiting the Islands for commercial and leisure purposes. In fact, marine clients of the Group range from small sea-craft and yachts to cruise-liners, cargo ships and tankers.

The latest project for the Falzon Group has been the acquisition of a company involved in the importation, blending and sale of lubricating oils to the motor industry. For years the exclusive representative of an internationally renowned brand in Malta, this Company owns and operates storage and blending premises fully equipped to handle large volumes of product, with a wide range of clients representing most sectors of industry.

It is interesting to note what new ventures the family-run Falzon Group of Companies has lined up in its future plans. The purchase of larger-capacity bunker barges is currently underway, and this is intended to enhance the Falzon Group of Companies broader master plan of upgrading the services their numerous long-term clients have grown accustomed to, while concurrently developing their operations in line with the continuously evolving relative legislation. Another area in which the Falzon Group of Companies dedicates substantial time and resources is the sourcing of quality, competitively-priced bunker fuels, and towards this end the Group is currently establishing new relations with a number of internationally reputable petroleum product suppliers in order to guarantee the consistent availability of specification product for its clients.

Needless to say, in an industry as diverse and competitive as the bunkering industry, success depends not only on having experience and a professional outfit, but also on having the stamina to endure the highs and lows of an industry that has proven to be highly volatile in nature. As the Falzon Group of Companies celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, its enduring participation in this industry is evidence that this Group has what it takes to succeed – its ever-growing list of satisfied local and international clients is living proof of this.