In the fourth quarter of 2016, sea transport between Malta and Gozo registered increases compared to the corresponding quarter of 2015, the National Statistics Office said today.

A total of 1,159,348 passengers travelled between Malta and Gozo during the fourth quarter, up by 5.0 per cent when compared to the corresponding quarter in 2015. The highest number of passengers was recorded in October amounting to 454,022 or 39.2 per cent of the total for the quarter. The number of vehicles increased by 6.1 per cent, totalling 343,036.

The number of trips amounted to 5,490, an increase of 4.1 per cent over the same period in 2015. The majority of trips took place in October, 1,956 or 35.6 per cent of total trips for the quarter.

During 2016, movements between Malta and Gozo continued to increase. Overall the number of trips went up by 1,581 or 7.6 per cent, over 2015. Vehicle movements between the islands increased by 110,612 or 8.2 per cent, over the previous year, while the number of passengers went up by 393,328 or 8.3 per cent.

As in previous years, August recorded the highest number of trips, 2,178 or 9.7 per cent of the total. August also registered the largest share of vehicles and passengers crossing between the two islands, 156,192 and 582,264 respectively.

During the year 2016, passenger traffic originating from Cirkewwa was busiest on Friday and Saturday, whereas highest numbers from Mgarr were recorded on Sunday and Saturday.

Photograph by Alain Salvary

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