1 comment.GBC extremely concerned over current Gozo Channel situation
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The Gozo Business Chamber said that it is “extremely concerned” with the current situation at the Gozo Channel Company which is causing long delays for those needing to use the ferry to cross the channel.
The Chamber said that while it believes that the rights of the workers should be safeguarded, “it is urgent that the present situation is addressed.”
The workers on Gozo Channel have been reportedly working on go-slow and work-to-rule measures over the past week causing long delays for those having to travel.
The Chamber warned that “the delays that we have been experiencing in the past days which is leading to queues, cancellation of services, and severe delays is having a huge detriment on all Gozitans and all those using the services of the company.”
It added that “many a time we tend to forget that for us Gozitans this is an essential service, a service upon which we depend to work, go abroad, study, and use those services which are not offered in Gozo.”
The Gozo Business Chamber concluded by calling on all the parties concerned “to sit around the table and resolve immediately the present issues which are leading to this situation.”
File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary
I do believe that due to my previous experience with the Gozo Channel that it requires two more vessels to operate the Gozo Ferry service efficiently.
Every 4th month of the year each vessel has to be serviced at the shipyard. Thus only 4 vessels will be left running. One has to be utilised for cargo so that in reality leaves only 3 vessels for passenger crossings, which will be adequate.
Furthermore the vessels must have a friendly and economical consumption (not gobbling diesel as the present vessels have done} The onboard electricity also has to be 240 volt as it is in Malta and not as is in Holland.
The present vessels had to be left running at the initial stages all the time, thus extra expenses were made until a generator was installed at Mgarr. Otherwise the vessels are very reliable and seaworthy.
If possible it would also help to have side-ramps as used to be fitted to the previous vessels of Gozo Channel.
Also if possible we should re-introduce the San Maison Service so that heavy truck cargoes can be loaded from there, thus reducing traffic on the roads and at the Cirkewwa berths.
May I finally add that under my term as Chairman of Gozo Channel we had the Melitaland, Calypso, Cittadella, Mgarr and Ghawdex providing the service which previously only had service till 4,30 p.m. as the last trip from Mgarr.
We eventually made this into a 24 hour service, reduced the prices and also arranged for the Ghawdex vessel to provide a service to Palermo in Sicily.
That is why I say that Gozo Channel needs two further vessels to operate efficiently and provide a quality service for both passengers and cargo.