Newly completed Valletta to Gozo ferry terminals prepare to welcome passengers

Two brand new fast ferry terminals are, on Tuesday, preparing to welcome their first passengers on the new Valletta to Gozo service.

The product of a €5 million Government investment in maritime infrastructure, the new direct route between Mġarr and Valletta will have its inaugural route at 4pm.

Announcing the completion of the terminals on social media on Monday, Infrastructure Malta thanked the workers who constructed the terminals, praising them for their “commitment” to completing the terminals on time, “within a few weeks”.

The route, which will be operated by private liners, comes as a decision was taken to liberalise the shipping market on the route, opening it up to contractors capable of fulfilling a rigorous set of requirements.

As things stand, two major operators will be servicing the route, namely Gozo Fast Ferry Ltd, which is backed by Bianchi Group and Merrill Investments, and Virtu Ferries. 

Competition is on between the companies, with Gozo Fast Ferry offering significantly cheaper rates, as low as €7.99 for adults with Tallinja cards, compared to €11 on Virtu Ferries.