As Gozo Channel blew out its candles for its 30th birthday, the government announced that it intends to issue a public call for tenders in the coming weeks, lifting the ferry monopoly.

Speaking at an event celebrating the anniversary, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech yesterday warned the operator to "expect competition".

The government had announced its intention to liberalise the ferry service by the end of 2008, following pressure from the European Commission last July.

At the time, the EC had argued that the current monopoly enjoyed by Gozo Channel breached EU rules and that the service, subsidised by more than €3.4 million annually, should be allocated on the basis of a time-limited contract open to all interested parties in the EU.

Asked whether the government expected multiple bids for the ferry operator contract, a spokesman for the Finance Ministry said that Mr Fenech's advice to the current operator to gear-up for competition was indicative of the government's expectations.

During his speech, which came after a tour around the Ta' Pinu ferry where Mr Fenech and his wife and two children were shown the ferry's bridge and engine rooms, the Minister stressed that Gozo Channel must be open to the reality of competition.

As part of the company's 30th anniversary celebration, the ferries' bridges were open to passengers who made the most of the occasion to take pictures of the ship's captain in action.

The company also allowed passengers to cross between the two islands free of charge and provided live entertainment.

Aboard the Cittadella ferry, Captain Joe Cauchi spoke of his time working with Gozo Channel. Having spent 30 years in all working upon sea vessels, 12 of which as a Master on an Armed Forces patrol boat and 18 as a ferry captain, he said his job has become more like a past-time to him.