A project partially financed by the EU will enable a study to be made of the seas in the south of Malta that will facilitate greater knowledge of sea currents and wave movements and provide greater information for maritime transport as well as for rescue and salvage operations.

The project, "Italia - Malta Calypso South" will complement an earlier study of the sea channels between Malta and Sicily. Radars will be used in this project to gather maritime information of currents and wave movements. The participation of Malta University will be coordinated by Professor Aldo Drago.

Professor Drago said the technology consists of an eight-metre pole in several places in a system that currently has four radars, two covering Malta and Gozo and the two other covering Sicily. These basically emit electro-magnetic rays enabling the receipt of data that covers energy distribution which is mapped to show the movements of currents in particular areas.

He explained the importance of the project for various reasons. Among others the collected data will enable safer maritime transport and, in the case of a sea pollution threat, will indicate whether the pollution will hit the Maltese Islands or not, as well as the extent and quantity of the pollution, thus enabling an earlier and more effective response for containment purposes. In the case of rescue and salvage this will enable more efficient operations because of the provision of precise data.

The project has been designed by the Malta University's Geosciences Department. In the coming days the department is to organise a seminar which will be attended by various European experts as well as from the United States. The seminar will show how in the digital era evolution is taking place in maritime services and how this will boost research and innovation.