Nationalist Party MEP Peter Agius has urged the Maltese government to apply for EU funding to secure a fourth ferry for Gozo Channel. Speaking at a conference titled “New Ferries for Gozo: What Can Europe Do? What Must We Do?”, Agius stressed that Malta has the opportunity to include this project under the European Climate Fund, which must be submitted this year. He also called for inter-island connectivity to be a priority in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) of the EU.
Currently, Gozo Channel operates three ferries—TA’ PINU, GAUDOS, and MALITA, built between 2000 and 2002. To meet rising demand, the company has been leasing the Greek vessel NIKOLAOS, built in 1987, since 2019. However, the cost of this lease remains undisclosed, and the government has been criticised for relying on an ageing vessel.
Both the Nationalist Party (PN) and Prime Minister Robert Abela have pledged to introduce a fourth ferry, though details on the government’s plans remain limited. PN leader Bernard Grech reiterated his party’s commitment to adding a fifth ferry and improving port infrastructure.
The conference also featured Cecile Larsen, project manager at Danish ferry operator Ærøfærgerne, who highlighted the success of the EU-funded electric ferry ELLEN, serving the Danish island of Ærø since 2019. She suggested that Gozo could follow a similar path towards greener ferry solutions with EU support.
Source: Newsbook