Two bids submitted to replace Gozo Channel’s Nikolaos

The replacement of the MV Nikolaos has attracted two bids, with offers submitted by Italian shipping operator Caronte e Tourist S.p.A. and Malta-based Ragusa Xpress Ltd.

Caronte e Tourist has offered €7.66 million for the lease, compared with €10.9 million from Ragusa Xpress.

The tender is for the provision of a fourth ferry for Gozo Channel, replacing the Nikolaos, which has been operating since 2019.

The Greek-owned vessel is currently the only leased ship in Gozo Channel’s four-ferry fleet. The other three vessels are owned by the Government.

The Nikolaos was brought in as a temporary measure, with the intention that it would eventually be replaced by a new vessel.

The latest tender forms part of a longer-term plan for the Gozo Channel fleet. In January, Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, Transport Minister Chris Bonett and Economy Minister Silvio Schembri announced plans for two new ferries to enter service in 2029. Until then, the Government intends to maintain a fourth vessel through a lease.

The procurement process was launched towards the end of June. The original deadline for submissions was 25th August, but this was subsequently changed.

The two companies taking part in the tender have different backgrounds in ferry operations.

Caronte e Tourist runs several ferry services, predominantly involving Sicily. The company is jointly owned and controlled by the Franza and Matacena families.

Ragusa Xpress began operating in May 2025 and runs a Malta-Sicily service to Ragusa. Its owner, Paul Gauci, also owns the Pavi and Pama supermarkets and the local Zara operation, among other businesses.

The tender comes as the Nikolaos continues to face criticism from users due to lack of accessibility while costing taxpayers €10,000 per day under its current lease.

The two offers will now be considered as part of the procurement process to determine which vessel will replace the Nikolaos as Gozo Channel’s fourth ferry.