GTA urges Transport Malta to reconsider Comino directive

The Gozo Tourism Association is soliciting Transport Malta to reconsider the directives as listed in its Port Notice No. 01/2020 issued to the Commercial Vessels owners and operators in connection with the call for the provision of scheduled passenger ferry services between Malta and Comino.

Through these directives, as listed in this port notice, Transport Malta is creating a monopoly and thus discriminating with commercial vessels owners and operators many of which are Gozo based.

Furthermore, as specified in this aforementioned Port Notice, the operator who will be providing the scheduled passenger ferry service between Malta and Comino is being allocated the entirety of all landing quays in Cirkewwa, Marfa and around Comino.

These landing quays, as stated in the Port Notice, are being declared “Priority Landing Places” for the use of the chosen operator. This condition will be hindering the normal operation of the unscheduled sea transport services offered by the operators and owners, who up to now offered their boat transport services to a wide range of clientele including divers, conference and incentive groups and other leisure services. Moreover, the GTA is concerned that if the landing quays of Marfa and Cirkewwa are not available at any time, Gozo might lose on incentives and conference groups that mostly cross to the sister Island through these landing places.

The GTA is therefore appealing to Transport Malta to reassess its position and through its directives ensures a fair level playing field for all operators and guarantees the right to all unscheduled licensed boat owners to use, at any time, the landing quays mentioned earlier.