Finally the Fast Ferry Service is once again being introduced. Two Companies have been given a contract for operating between the Islands. Millions were spent on this project by both the Ferry Investors and also by Government with its infrastructural constructions.

This is the third time that this fast Ferry Service is being implemented. First there was the Ala-Scafi travelling from Marsalforn to Sliema and Vice-Versa. This lasted for only one summer. Then there was the introduction of what I call the “Hovercraft” from Mgarr (Gozo) to Sliema. This service lasted for some years and till now nobody exactly knows why it was discarded.

Now we have new multi-million investments by two Companies vying between them for this service from Mgarr Gozo, to Valletta. Scheduled trips are said to last 45 minutes. Ticket costs are moderate and affordable to both locals and foreigners.

This service is ideal for those who have to attend:

(a) The Law Courts,

(b) Shopping in Valletta,

(c) University Students & Valletta Gozitan Workers

(d) Tourists

(e) Excellent Public Transport System

(f) Free Upper Barraka Lift

For now it’s all roses and good propaganda for these companies, but here I am listing some hard real facts about their feasibility.

1) I do believe that after this initiation there is a hidden agenda of both the investments by these Companies.

2) Millions were spent on this project.

3) Consumption of diesel is very high.

4) Maximum capacity of passengers is 300.

5) Gozitan Workers are not any more clustered in Valletta but mostly are stationed near the Northern Regions.

6) Expenses for maintenance, workers and depreciation run into huge amounts.

7) 45 minutes trips are for the summer season when good weather persists. What happens during the Winter and Shoulder Seasons when there are rough seas?

8) The services do not cater for vehicles, cycles, etc. So the income is only generated from the passenger service.

Expenses

(a) The devaluation of Ferries

(b) Running costs covering Insurances/Workers/Diesel/Mooring

(c) Stoppages due to rough Weather

(d) Lack of Customers in Winter Months & Rough Weather.

(e) I believe that costs will supersede the income.

So what are my personal predictions?

Long Term Policies of the Companies

I am predicting that the future competitions will be for these Companies to extend their service on a far bigger scale but still continue to cater to the Gozo-Valletta Service, but within a reduced service.

I predict that in the very near future these Companies will submit a request to the Authorities for an extension/s of services as follows:

1) Mgarr to Valletta on limited crossings

2) Mgarr to St Paul’s Bay

3) Mgarr to Bugibba

4) Mgarr to Sliema

5) Mgarr to Valletta

6) Mgarr to Cottonera Area

This is the only way that these services will become financially feasible against the investments incurred.

In pure Maltese there exist a saying “L-Ewwel Idahhal Subghajk – U Wara Iddahhal Idejk) First one inserts a finger and after a whole hand).

One Last Point

These services will not lessen the current service of the Gozo Company Channel, which apart from Passengers also caters for Cars – Cargo – Cycles and Passengers.

But these services do put the issue of the Tunnel between the Islands into question now.

I for one was originally in favour of a Tunnel between the Islands for ‘Interconnectivity’ with Malta and the Outside World.

Now with these new services I will be only interested in the Islands connectivity if a Tram/Underground Service is introduced from Gozo to Valletta with different stops along the way.

Conclusion

To all those who asked me why I didn’t write a piece about the new service, here is my answer. I first needed time to evaluate the connectivity issues both past, present and future.

Lino DeBono

Permalink: Gozo-Malta Fast Ferry Service, by Lino DeBono