The Gozo Business Chamber notes the importance of the fast ferry service for Gozo

The Gozo Business Chamber would like to reiterate the importance of the introduction of a fast ferry service for Gozo.

Though the Chamber maintains that the permanent link between Gozo and Malta remains the best option, the Chamber has always highlighted that Gozo should be connected through all the best options possible.

Obviously this requires a wider vision and strategy for transport between the two islands, including the need to plan on the infrastructural limitations currently posed by the Mġarr Harbour.

The fast ferry was part of the electoral manifesto of the present government in 2017, whereby it was highlighted that with the introduction of this service people would travel between Gozo and the Grand Harbour in Valletta in less than 45 minutes.

The target of this service was to offer a more comfortable service between the two islands for those who travel frequently between Gozo and Valletta, while reducing traffic significantly between the two islands (Partit Laburista, L-Aqwa Żmien ta’ Pajjiżna. Manifest Elettorali 2017, p. 56).

The proposed hop-on hop-off conventional ferry service, as indicated in the Request for Proposals document, does not address this need. To this end the Chamber calls for government to review its decision on the fast ferry service between the two islands. This was a service which was already offered in the past but which had been terminated.

The fast ferry service would ensure further connectivity and peace of mind to both commuters and other persons travelling between the two islands. A conventional ferry service would not address these needs.