Sliema, Bugibba, and Gozo fast ferry service welcomed by Gozo Chamber

by Gozo News · May 5, 2026

The Gozo Business Chamber (GBC) has welcomed with satisfaction the new fast ferry service inaugurated today between Sliema, Bugibba and Gozo.

In a statement, the Chamber said that this service should help reduce the existing pressure on the service between Valletta and Mgarr, while creating new opportunities for Gozo and enhancing accessibility to the island.

While the increase in services to Gozo is a positive development, the Chamber said it ”awaits the implementation of the expansion of the Gozo Channel fleet, and the introduction of the service to the Malta Freeport.”

It also highlighted that ”with this increase in services, the need for the extension of Mgarr Harbour will become even more evident and is now becoming a crucial project.” Adding that ”other projects should also be considered, such as a logistics hub and a second road, which would strengthen the resilience of the current infrastructure.”

The Chamber noted that ”the permanent link project should also remain a long-term option that continues to be considered for the island of Gozo.”

The Gozo Business Chamber concluded by saying that ”Gozo deserves a long-term vision that goes beyond political cycles and enjoys consensus from all sides of the political spectrum. Gozo’s accessibility is not a privilege, but an essential need.”

At the service launch on Tuesday, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that this Fast Ferry service will be ”free of charge between Sliema and Bugibba, thus making all public transport in Malta, both land and sea, free of charge.”

The Prime Minister also said that the Government has plans to strengthen the Gozo Channel service, with a strong investment to increase the number of ships and have ships with less polluting technology. “A multi-million investment that will be complemented by better public transport services in Gozo. This is in addition to the air taxi service between the two islands,” said Dr Abela.

Transport Minister Chris Bonett said that “this service means a better connection from the centre of Malta to Bugibba. It means a real alternative for those who want to get to Gozo or travel from Gozo to Malta. It means that Gozitans who travel to Malta today will have not only the existing connections with Cirkewwa and Valletta, but also other routes that open up new opportunities. A new circular bus service will start operating from today to complement this fast ferry service.”