Comino’s future demands smart, sustainable action

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s iconic destinations, which is why we firmly believe its unique beauty must be protected, not just for its ecological and environmental value, but as a key pillar of Malta’s tourism offering.

For over 75 years, our family has been deeply invested in Malta’s hospitality and tourism sector, pioneering ferry services from Sliema to Comino’s iconic lagoons as far back as 1972.

Today, there are 384 vessels, big and small – with a capacity to carry several thousand passengers – that ferry people to Comino in the summer months, a source of contention for years.

Concerns are justified, which is why I believe we have to be innovative and devise sustainable ways that strike a balance between refining the experience and ensuring this has the least environmental impact possible. Killing the experience altogether, I believe, is not an option.

The authorities’ recent decision to limit the number of visitors to Comino was a first step in the right direction and we fully endorse the need for immediate action.

As a group, Captain Morgan Cruises did not take part in the legal efforts to stall these plans for change, simply because we strongly believe change is vital if we want to safeguard the island of Comino for generations to come.

Captain Morgan wasn’t just a pioneer of ferrying people around the islands, it was also among the first to invest €20 million in smaller, brand new, eco-friendly vessels and retiring its two largest vessels that had a capacity of 600 passengers each. The group’s largest vessel in today’s fleet carries less than 300 passengers.

NGOs’ call to simply eliminate this experience in its entirety or removing the “big boats”, is simply unrealistic. Presently, there are around 30 vessels that can carry more than 50 passengers, and at least another 200 which can transport between five to 50 passengers.

If, hypothetically, the larger vessels were prohibited, the underlying problems would persist, if not worsen. A surge in ‘smaller’ boats would fill the gap, overwhelming Comino’s already limited, maritime infrastructure, and further congesting its waters. Rather than reducing numbers, such a shift would simply create a different kind of chaos.

Equally urgent, is for authorities to urgently rein in rampant abuse, particularly where maritime safety is compromised.

Today, literally anyone – and by that I include those who possess no maritime licence or experience – can charter smaller, fast vessels like jet-skis or rhibs and speed off to Comino with a group of friends, flouting all maritime safety rules.

I am not arguing against this niche business, nor am I suggesting that these are the problems behind Comino’s increasing numbers, but if we truly want to improve the experience and reduce congestion, the least we do is condense numbers by enforcing safety regulations.

While the authorities impose significant safety measures on larger boats, like mandatory life jackets, minimum safety manning and the like, there is little or no oversight when it comes to ‘smaller’ vessels, which can still carry a good number of people. This situation must change.

Fundamentally, we need to be able to provide those visiting the Blue Lagoon a memorable experience.

A cleaner, better managed, and less congested Comino is not just desirable, it’s critical- Edward Zammit Tabona

We agree that, at times, Comino is too crowded and lacks the vital infrastructure to cater for the influx.

We commend the Tourism Ministry’s pledge to enact and implement a master plan for Comino. We understand this is ongoing and as a group we are prepared to share our invaluable experience as a main stakeholder.

Discussions are vital. For instance, we believe it would have been more conducive if a nominal fee was attached to each QR code of every individual visiting Comino. The fee could be higher for the peak late morning and lower for the early morning/evening slot.

This would bring in thousands; a sum that should be ring-fenced and reinvested in Comino through better vessel management, continuous cleaning, safety patrols, a properly organised mooring field, and upgrades of existing facilities, among others.

My appeal to policymakers is to present their plans well in advance to allow operators to adjust their business models accordingly.

If there was anything ‘wrong’ with the implementation of the current system, it was its introduction by guillotine and stealth.

At Captain Morgan, for example, to adapt, we had to reinvent our products to accommodate off-peak hours, spiking marketing and selling, and distribution costs.

In such a cut-throat sector, competitive fairness is key, which is why we renew our call for authorities to crack down on rogue operators and enforce strict quality controls.

Fixing Comino is undeniably complex, and we urge a more balanced and better-paced approach.

At Captain Morgan Cruises, we are fully committed to being part of the solution. A cleaner, better managed, and less congested Comino is not just desirable, it’s critical. It promises a more meaningful, more sustainable experience, where our turquoise gem can continue to glisten and yield better returns for generations.

Edward Zammit Tabona

Edward Zammit Tabona is Fortina Investments CEO.