Transport Malta directives “creating a monopoly” on Comino ferries – GTA

by Gozo News · January 22, 2020

Transport Malta directives "creating a monopoly" for Comino ferries - GTA The Gozo Tourism Association, in a statement on Wednesday, has said that it is soliciting Transport Malta to reconsider the directives as listed in its Port Notice No 01/2020 for Comino passenger ferries.

The GTA has argued that “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.”

This notice has been 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.

“As specified in this Port Notice, the operator who will be providing the scheduled passenger ferry service between Malta and Comino, is also being allocated the entirety of all landing quays in Cirkewwa, Marfa and around Comino,” the GTA said.

It added that “these landing quays as stated in the Port Notice are being declared “Priority Landing Places” for the use of the chosen operator.”

The Association pointed out that this condition will be hindering the normal operation of the unscheduled sea transport services offered by the operators and owners.

“Up to now these operators and owners had offered their boat transport services to a wide range of clientele including divers, conference and incentive groups, and other leisure services.”

The Gozo Tourism Association also voiced its concern that if the landing quays of Marfa and Cirkewwa are not available at any time, Gozo might lose on incentives and conferences groups that mostly cross to the sister Island through these landing places.

The GTA concluded by saying that it is 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 embark/disembark at any time their clients from the landing quays mentioned earlier.”